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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: dentedzuk on December 10, 2007, 05:14:13 PM

Title: disappearing 4th gear?
Post by: dentedzuk on December 10, 2007, 05:14:13 PM

hey guys,
I was cruising along today and after some stop and go traffic I noticed my automatic vitara wouldn't shift into 4th gear. i was running 55 mph at 3500 rpms on a flat road and it just would not shift.  I tryed running it up to 4500 rpms and nothing.  So i pulled over no leaky fluids no overheating..  ???  i gave it another try, it would shift up to 3rd and the stay there.  I slowed down and got to where i was going then did a little fishing and some slow trail riding in the woods.. when i pulled back out on the road and gave it some gas it went right through all the gears and switched right into 4th.  ??? Fixed itself i guess!? Anyways im just curious if this is a warning sign somethings going wrong in my transmission? Any advice would appreciated!

Title: Re: disappearing 4th gear?
Post by: kingzoo on December 11, 2007, 06:51:38 AM

    It may be a sticky valve in the valve body,or even something as simple as needind the fluid and filter changed.I consider such things as omens of future failure,so I tend to fix them right away.You might wnt to try having your tranny flushed.

Title: Re: disappearing 4th gear?
Post by: beercheck on December 11, 2007, 06:55:55 AM

Before you stress too much about it, make sure you didn't accidentally bump the O/D switch on the shifter (as locking out 4th is exactly what it does).  You certainly wouldn't be the first one that's happened to..

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=19251.msg165782#msg165782

Title: Re: disappearing 4th gear?
Post by: dentedzuk on December 11, 2007, 09:35:09 AM

Pretty sure you were right beercheck.. i tapped the O/D switch  2 times on my way to lunch and it wouldnt hit 4th both times just rev'ed high!  :-[ whoops!.. i think my wife may have been messing with me! 
I am gonna change the fluids and filter as well since im at 90,000 miles and have no idea if its been changed before..
thanks guys

Title: Re: disappearing 4th gear?
Post by: IanL on December 11, 2007, 02:42:26 PM

I'm pretty sure there should be a lamp indication on the dash if the O/D is off.

It should light briefly for a lamp check when the ignition is turned on.

Title: Re: disappearing 4th gear?
Post by: ZeusZuki on December 11, 2007, 06:25:33 PM

Another thing too - when in 4WD the auto's lock out 4th gear ( eg: no overdrive ). Are you sure you didn't accidentally knock the 4x4 shift lever - maybe when you reached over to give the missus a  :-*

 ::)