Taking the car in on Monday...

[MDalton08G6]

I plan on taking the car in on Monday, but I thought Id pop on here to see if any of you G6 savvy guys can help me narrow down my problems.

One main problem is if I shift between gears on occasion when it hits reverse the car will buck, and shutter, lights dim then quickly return to normal. My guess, torque converter is locking up.

Also, when Im shifting through the gears, I can hear it very loudly outside the car. Im guessing linkage (guessing, if you got an idea im all ears)

Heres the problem that is odd and makes the car a bit scary to drive. While on the highway today (and days before) the power steering dummy light clicks on, then the car has a mind of its own. It will pull from right to left slowly (steering wheel moves too). Its as if the brakes were tapped lightly on just the right wheel, then 2 seconds later, the left, and continues til I turn the car off. To me, it almost feels like power goes to one side then the other. My buddy followed me home and told me he washed the car swaying the whole way home.

The car is going to the shop, but after having problems with dealerships before Id like a few ideas from yall (I trust your judgements over theirs) Car has 49000 miles

[MDalton08G6]

Re: Taking the car in on Monday...

Also, new tires on the front. Brakes are good. Rotors arent warped. No ABS lights popping up. Turning the traction control off didnt help and when I did have it off this morning the button got hot as hell (Ive heard its semi-common with GM cars)

[snowmanG6]

Re: Taking the car in on Monday...

if you dont have the tap shift I dont recommend shifting from Low second then drive. its not good for your trans. your trans wasnt built like the tap shift models. also when you go to reverse while driving forward the torque converter does lock up and as a safety measure kills the motor. if you have done this more then once. you probably screwed something up. as for the steering issue. dont the 2.4 have electric steering on them?

[MDalton08G6]

Re: Taking the car in on Monday...

I was shifting through the gears at a dead stop, at idle, on level ground, shouldnt hurt the trans mission one bit. I wasnt shifting fast, just shifting slow between gears and watching the engine rock hard but still shifted in each gear easily. And no I dont have tap shift.

Yes i have electric steering, the assist motor (which I had replaced in January) should never yank the wheel from your hands. If it goes out the car should drive the same as if a power steering pump went out, hard to turn but steerable. The car is pulling on its own once the dummy light kicks on

Im wondering if the trans control module could be faulty. I believe the trans is set to put power to each wheel independantly, the trans brain tells the car its ready to engadge the torque converter. I dont know if it was faulty would make the car pull but it seems more likely one thing is bad then multiple, especially for the millage

[MDalton08G6]

Re: Taking the car in on Monday...

Alright, lil update.

Got the steering fixed. Turned out the first dealership never fixed the assist motor, they changed the coloum. So I have a new steering motor and the car steers smooth. Though the motor shouldnt have mad the car jerk, it works so im happy.

As for the other problems, they said the engine movement is ok. Im guessing its still in tolerence but I feel its still a bit much. They also say the noise from shifting is normal, even though I told them its never been that loud. And though the office guy who wrote me up was able to feel the shutter and didnt like how loud the shifting sounded, the service manager argued with me that it was fine. Im guessing hewont care til it breaks.

So guys and gals, what do you think I should do? The trans shifts smoothly, its just loud. Since there's no dip stick I cant check the fluid. Should I check the linkage myself?

[Ringo64]

Re: Taking the car in on Monday...

What's the noise, a grinding sound or a clunking sound for the trans?

[MDalton08G6]

Re: Taking the car in on Monday...

Clunk, no grinding. Cant tell if its from the trans or the shift linage. Its loud though. I could hear the car shift into drive from inside my house. The gears themselves (1st through 4th) shift smooth and quiet but selecting a gear with the shifter is loud.