2001 Chevrolet Malibu Logo
Posted on Oct 28, 2008
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Transmission is "Hunting"

Hello,

My '01 Malibu V6 seems to shift from 3rd & 4th gear when my car reached 2000 RPM. What does this mean. Is my tranny going to need changed or might this be an electrical problem?? Please help!!

1 Answer

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  • Chevrolet Master 3,640 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 21, 2009
Anonymous
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Joined: Jun 01, 2009
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There are so many sensors nowdays that cause the same problem.---a bad throttle position sensor causes,:transmission shift issues,bucking, jerking, idle surging, engine cut off,hesitation on take off, surge while cruising down highway. a code will not allways set for a problem.

  • 8 more comments 
  • Anonymous Sep 21, 2009

    there are so many sensors nowdays that cause the same problem.---a bad throttle position sensor causes,:transmission shift issues,bucking, jerking, idle surging, engine cut off,hesitation on take off, surge while cruising down highway. a code will not allways set for a problem.

  • Anonymous Sep 23, 2009

    _a bad tps sensor causes: transmission shift issues, bucking, jerking, idle surging, engine cut off, hesitation on take off, surge while cruising down highway.

  • Anonymous Oct 15, 2009

    there are many things that cause this now days. first check air cleaner if it is ok, clean maf sensor (manifold air flow) you can go to any auto parts place to but maf sensor spray in a can.but follow directions on can very close. also after cleaning sensor, if it still surges. check out tps on side of throttle body at throttle plate. a bad tps will cause transmission shift issues.

  • Anonymous Jan 04, 2010

    I had the same problem with my 3.1, first of all make sure airfilter is clean. next go to any auto parts store and buy a can of maf sensor spray to clean maf censor. follow directions on can. if that does not help replace or check the intake air sensor just after the air cleaner in big hose. that fixed my problem, good luck carl,

  • Anonymous Jan 15, 2010

    first of all, my car did the same thing now it is fine. make sure air filter is clean, clean maf sensor, you can go to any auto parts place to get it,follow instructions on can. if that does not help the surging then replace the intake air tempurature sensor. it is in tube just past air cleaner going to throttle body. it costs less then 20.00, good luck Carl,

  • Anonymous Jan 15, 2010

    my car did the same thing know it is ok. first of all make sure air filter is clean, next go to any auto parts place and buy a can of maf sensor spray, follow directions on can. clean (manifold air flow sensor) be careful when cleaning it is very fragil, do not touch the inside of sensor or it can be ruined. it is in hose from air cleaner just before throttle body. if this does not help that much, change intake air tempurature sensor. it is in hose just past ait filter to throttle body. it cost under 20.00 if you do it yourself, good luck CARL,

  • Anonymous Feb 01, 2010

    a bad or dirty manifold air temperature will cause this. go to any parts store and buy a can of maf sensor spray, follow directions on can.remove maf sensor for cleaning, also check that air filter is free of dirt.when done if it is not much better, then change iat sesor in big tube from air cleaner box.surging under load is dirty or contaminated with dust or oil. my car did the same thing and I cleaned the maf sensor and the airfilter, now all is ok!! good luck TOOLMAN, this is not a transmission problem. when this happened to me it surged will under load, and at about 2000 rpms hope this helps you.

  • Anonymous Feb 05, 2010

    I think tranny is ok! first of all make sure air filter is clean, then go to any auto parts store and buy a can of maf sensor spray, follow directions on can. remove maf sensor and clean. if this does not resolve it all then replace iat sensor in big hose to throttle body. mine did the same thing and now it is ok. please let me know the results if possible. toolman,

  • Anonymous Apr 24, 2010

    check tps sensor, it has an effect on shifting. also remove and clean maf sensor. go to any auto parts store and buy a can of maf sensor spray. follow directions on can. also make sure air filter is clean. mine used to do the same thing, mine is a 2000 malibu v6.

  • Anonymous Jul 08, 2010

    check intake air sensor and clean the maf sensor it may have dirt on it. you can go to any auto parts store and buy a can of sensor spray, but follow directions on can carefully. also make sure air filter is clean. if this helps a bit, check throttle position sensor. but I cleaned mine and now it runs good. it used to kick in and out of 4th gear when at about 2000 rpms. especially under load. the tps has a big effect on the shifting of transmission.

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so are you not getting 4th gear OD or the TC lockup failing
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I can tell you the math below see the online calc. at end here.
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why not just see if all gears work (count them with easy right foot on flat earth)
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https://purperformance.com/p-29669-rpm-calculator.html

so 4th OD is, what .75 x 3000 is 2250 RPM (my guess never seen)
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scan it. now.
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Trouble Code: P0783 (2.0L L4 VIN - Auto)
3 - 4 Shift Malfunction Print this code dataprint_icon_codes.gif comments in (xxxx)
Trouble Code Conditions: (preconditions before test)
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Comments:
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I shafted to 4th but the MPH is too slow, so the transmission
is not shifting to 4th , or it slips

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like that, and more, lots to say on A/T
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