jrns281

Hi,

I have a 2006 HHR LT (Auto tranny) that has been a really great car for me. Lately though I have noticed that upon entering the freeway on-ramp (as an example) and coming up to speed, the car shifts smoothly from 1st to 4th but then seems to not want to go into fifth and just keeps excelerating but the rpms climbing, almost like 4th gear is the last gear. It downshifts fine but cant seem to get the car to go into 5th gear. Car has 60K on it and never had the transmission flushed as it is "sealed" and should not need it. Normal driving conditions for So Cal. I have never towed anything either.

Anyone experience this before? Could it be a bad sensor?

No Check Engine Light

843de

to the forum jrns281!

The HHR is equipped with a 4-speed automatic, no fifth gear in the box. What you might be feeling is the torque converter failing to "lock up".

"Lock up" torque converters have a clutch that allows them to directly connect the engine to the transmission above certain road speeds. Once you reach cruising speed in 4th gear, observe your tachometer and you should see an rpm drop as the converter locks up.

While there is no dipstick to check the fluid level in the 4T-45E transmission, its not "sealed" and it does require a fluid and filter change at 100,000 miles.

The next time you drive your vehicle, count the shifts carefully and make sure its hitting all four forward gears, then look for an rpm drop once you reach a steady cruising speed.

If you don't have all four forward speeds, or you don't get a converter "lock up" at a steady cruise, have your dealer or your mechanic check things out.

firemangeorge

X2 whats said above. Outside chance, check fuse #43(trans.?) under hood.

Old Lar

Driving very conservatively, my 2.4L auto will get into lock up at about 42 mph...and drop to 1500 rpm. At 70 mph, the car is running about 2500 rpm in lock up.

POST # 1000

843de

37-44 mph is just about spot on for the converter to lock up.

Congrats on #1000

Snoopy

Just as a matter of diagnosis, I would also try shifting the automatic....manually. For example, start is L then shift to I, then to D. You would need to apply the gas moderately and count the shifts assuring you are finally above, maybe 50 mph. Watch your tach also. You will see the RPM drop with each shift.

IgottaWoody

Wont lock up if the temp is not above .. I think it was 165 deg....thats the main reason for milage drops in winter..takes longer to warm up and thus runn higher rpms till it does..