Shuddering with light throttle.

[Rollindeep]

So my tahoe is shaking when its given light throttle. It seemed to be more noticeable at around 50 when I was in overdrive, but when I shift down to third it stops. I have an automatic transmission. It still shakes when at low speeds with light throttle, any speed when just given enough gas to keep up it will start shaking. If I give it a good amount of gas nothing is different. I checked my fluid and added half bottle, wasnt a big deal and it didnt change anything. Also i have new U joints and alot of the suspension components in the front end. I was told to look into it possibly being a clogged filter in the tranny or even the speed sensor on the tranny? anyone got any ideas that could possibly help me diagnose this problem?

 

[steamroller]

Sounds like torque converter shudder. Could be the lockup solenoid, the wiring or the torque copnverter lockup clutch is on it's last leg. When it starts lightly press on the brake pedal and see if it stops.

 

[jbdkisner]

Rollindeep.. did you figure out what was the cause of your shudder?

I am having the same issue with my 2003 Tahoe. I had no shuddering until I got a transmission service at 120,000 miles last week. Then, when in drive and lightly stepping on the gas, it shudders on and off. I do not get the shudder in 3rd or at high speed (freeway speed)

I took it back to the place where I got my service done and they said I need a new transmission.. about $2500 to $3000. I called a transmission shop and they said it could be as simple as the wrong transmission fluid used, to a bad torque converter, to a new transmission. I have to bring it in for them to look at, which I will this Saturday.

 

[Rollindeep]

I have not figured it out yet, I am researching the possibility of it being a torque converter. I serviced the tranny myself and it didn't fix the problem, I have it garaged and have only driven it once since serviced and I couldn't tell you if that helped it a little bit or if it is just the same. The tranny fluid was pretty clean and not alot of deposits in the pan, I will try driving it tomorrow and try to apply the brakes as steamroller advised to see what comes of that. If it stops what would that mean?

 

[SunlitComet]

If it stops then your torque converter clutch system is probably malfunctioning.
Pressing the brake pedal unlocks the clutch.
Assuming your line pressure is correct and the TCC valves are not worn you would have to replace your converter not the whole transmission

 

[Crazyike]

Mine has started the same thing. If i tap the brake it will instantly shift to 3rd and the shutter stops. Also if i give it more gas and downshift into 3rd the shutter stops.

Anyone have any experience with a remanufactured TC? You can find them for a little over $100.

 

[SunlitComet]

They should work just as well. Chances are when a shop rebuilds your tranny it uses a rebuilt one.

 

[Rollindeep]

So i tried applying the breaks when the shuddering started, it didn't seem to work. I also looked into my receipts from the previous owner and it had a tranny w/ torque converter replaced less then 60k miles ago. Im sure it a rebuilt one, it cost around $2600 to get the work done, I still cant seem to find the solution to this problem.

 

[SunlitComet]

Could you have your codes pulled? There are some that do not illuminate the service light.