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2008 impala shifts hard when cold

7 messages,  Last post on Apr 11, 2009 at 6:23 PM

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#1 of 7 2008 impala shifts hard when cold by ofarmer Jan 15, 2009 (7:08 pm)
We were in upstate New York a few days ago where the night time temperatures had been about 0 degrees. When we left to drive home at 10AM the temperature was +5 degrees. For the next 2 hours the car shifted very roughly when going up a hill. It felt like the car was slamming into a lower gear. About noon time the temperature had risen to about 18 degrees and the car shifted normally.   Does anyone have an idea what the problem might be? Thanks, Owen Farmer Replies to this message: PantherWreck (Jan 29, 2009 7:26 am) ofarmer (Feb 04, 2009 8:39 am) rvoth (Jan 29, 2009 9:19 am) ofarmer (Feb 04, 2009 8:44 am)
#2 of 7 Re: 2008 impala shifts hard when cold [ofarmer] by PantherWreck Jan 29, 2009 (7:26 am)
Replying to: ofarmer (Jan 15, 2009 7:08 pm) Rode with a tech the other day for a transmission problem in a 2007. My car missed first gear and then shifted hard in all gears after that. He explained that when a shift is missed, the transmission goes into 'fault mode' and boosts the transmission fluid line pressure to prevent further damage to the transmission. The amount of pressure is controlled by the pressure control solenoid inside the transmission.   This might be one explanation. Replies to this message: ofarmer (Feb 04, 2009 8:39 am)
#3 of 7 Re: 2008 impala shifts hard when cold [ofarmer] by rvoth Jan 29, 2009 (9:19 am)
Replying to: ofarmer (Jan 15, 2009 7:08 pm) Could be that the tranny fluid was very cold, when this happens it moves like molasses. When it that cold you have to warm up the engine/tranny for fifth teen minutes, also place a piece of cardboard on the lower grill . This will prevent the tranny cooler, that's built into the radiator, from being super cooled . Then the oil will be able to warm up a keep a proper operating temperature. This explains why when the outside temp rose up your tranny started to operate normally. Replies to this message: ofarmer (Feb 04, 2009 8:44 am)
#4 of 7 Re: 2008 impala shifts hard when cold [PantherWreck] by ofarmer Feb 04, 2009 (8:39 am)
Replying to: PantherWreck (Jan 29, 2009 7:26 am) Sorry for not replying sooner. I could not log in??   That sounds like a faulty transmission. I traded in an Olds Intrigue for the 2008 Impala. I never had this problem with the Olds in ski country.
#5 of 7 Re: 2008 impala shifts hard when cold [rvoth] by ofarmer Feb 04, 2009 (8:44 am)
Replying to: rvoth (Jan 29, 2009 9:19 am) Sorry for not replying sooner. I could not log in??   Thanks for the tip. Placing cardboard in front of the radiator is not something I've done for 30 years, but it is worth a try. Also, we will be going to northern Vermont this month. Maybe I should try a dealer up there if the problem recurs- it's more likely that a Vt dealer might have encountered the problem.
#6 of 7 2008 Impala automatic transmission locked up by reewve Mar 29, 2009 (1:57 pm)
My shift lever locked up in Park and won't release. Shift lever release button will not depress. It sounds like it may be torque locke, but this thing is stuck solid, won't budge. Tried everything recommended in the owner's manual, pushed it, etc. I'm stuck and there's no-one at Chevy to help me. Car has 25k miles and is otherwise fine. I have no clue...any suggestions? Thanks.
#7 of 7 Steering Assembly - 2008 Impala SS by ajt1124 Apr 11, 2009 (6:23 pm)
I heard knocking noise when applying brakes and when pulling into parking spots and such. I took it to the dealer and they said the steering assembly had to be replaced. Well less than 8 months later, the sound is back. Is this an on going issue with the 2008 Impala SS?

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