99 v70 r Transmission sticking in first gear in cold weather

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 05 Jan 2013, 19:38

The first drive of the morning in this cold weather has been a little odd. I find that i almost need to circle the block to move things around before i get on a main road as i can not accelerate pretty much at all for the first 20-30 seconds of driving. The car seems to stick in 1st gear and not shift up.
Im thinking transmission fluid. This car also has a newly re-installed prop shaft if that makes any difference.

Post by **Pauloil** » 05 Jan 2013, 21:36

drain and fill, then do again after a week. might want to idle for 30 seconds until you can get out your 24mm open end wrench for the drain plug.

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 06 Jan 2013, 06:55

24mm? i dont think i have that or a socket that size wouldn't be a service without a new tool

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Jan 2013, 08:12

That's why God made Harbor Freight.

I wouldn't try to make a living using their tools but for us shade tree mechanics you can buy extra large wrench and socket sets for cheap.

...Lee

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 06 Jan 2013, 09:49

The reason for not shifting is initially cold ATF. My 1998 would take 1/4 mile before it started to shift 'normally' when the temps were below 0F.
Make sure you have correct level of ATF. A dump of cold ATF (before engine start) is what I prefer as the garbage settles in the sump and will come out before being mixed up once the pump comes on. Please measure what is dumped and refill accordingly, usually 3+ quarts. You should have the 4 speed, so no need to get 3309 fluid. Make sure you get a new aluminum crush washer, same size as the oil drain plug.

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 09 Jan 2013, 13:13

will do

Post by **rmmagow** » 10 Jan 2013, 11:15

My old 98 R did this same thing. Anytime the temp went to under 10F it'd act funny for a while. Changing fluid helped a lot but still a bit slow to react in sub-zero temps. A 5 min or so warmup and it would feel almost normal. With my R (and with my current LPT) I always wait until the temp gauge is at 3 o clock and I feel a lot of heat coming out of the climate control system before stomping on it.

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 15 Jan 2013, 16:30

made the initial change out 1 half gallon at a time of the original to two new gallons. Still acting up in the cold weather. Going to wait two weeks and then switch out another two gallons and see if it helps. the fluid is still a bit muddy but the color is considerably better and no longer solid grey.