2000 Venture Hard Shifting

My van intermittently has very hard abrupt shifting in all gears. I was driving yesterday and it was fine. Stopped to eat, got back in the car and it started shifting hard. Pulled over to the side of the road, switched the car off and waited about 2 minutes, started it back up and it ran perfect. It has only done this twice to me and about 3 times with my wife. Any ideas. I sure would prefer to fix this myself.

I have a 2000 chevy venture that started doing the same thing and it turned out to be the solenoid in the transmission. It cost about $600.00 bucks to have it fixed and that was because we knew someone.

I have a 2000 chevy venture that started doing the same thing and it turned out to be the solenoid in the transmission. It cost about $600.00 bucks to have it fixed and that was because we knew someone.


Oh NO! I was hoping that it would not be so bad. I looked at the transmission and noticed an electronic component attached to the exterior of the transmission (not sure what it is) but the linkage is connected to it. I was hoping it was some type of electronic modulator valve. Sounds like what you are talking about is internal to the transmission? If so, I know I dont want any part of trying to fix it. Should I go to a local transmission shop or the dealership? My local dealership has been fantastic in the past. Luckily I have a third car, so I do not need to make any rush decisions. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

The hard shifting problem you're experiencing isn't just a Venture problem, it's inherent to this particular tranny. It's not dangerous or damaging, it's merely an annoyance. The actual solenoid costs about $50, the rest of the cost is labor. I have the same problem with my 2000 Venture & I intend to live with it rather than spend $600+. If I get ambitious & have the time this summer, I may try to tackle the job myself. If you scroll through the posts, you'll find that this is mentioned several times...you'll also find some info that I posted on the topic.

Our '99 does it very rarely, but it did it ALL THE TIME when I had a faulty mass airflow sensor.

Our '99 does it very rarely, but it did it ALL THE TIME when I had a faulty mass airflow sensor.

I've heard that replacing the mass airflow sensor "sometimes" fixes the hard shift problem. It's a fairly expensive item to replace though...I think they retail for just under $500. It'd be worth paying a few bucks for a diagnostics check before shelling out hundreds to replace an item that may not need replacing.

I don't recommend replacing it for the hell of it. I was getting a mass airflow sensor code from the computer, thats why I replaced it. The fact that my tranny rarely jerks now is icing on the cake. Its only about $100-$150 at any car part store. There is a core charge on it though, so you have to return the old one. Takes about 15 minutes to swap. Once again though, I wouldn't change it unless you're getting a check engine light and the code for mass airflow.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EMASS+AIR+FLOW+SENSOR%7C%7E%24 40.00%7C%7ECARDONE%7C%7EREMANUFACTURED++++++%7C%7E FALSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E391197%7C%7E1819%7C%7E74-8309%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E%2499.99%7C%7ECHEVROLET+TRUCK% 7C%7EVENTURE%7C%7E1999%7C%7E3+MO%7C%7E1.75%7C%7EEA %7C%7EB

Thanks for all the info. I took the van by Advanced Auto today and they ran a diagnostic check and no error codes appeared. I have not had a check engine light either. From the info I have read, I think I will just deal with it until it gets more frequent. I drove it all day today and not one time did it malfunction. Thanks everyone for the input. his is a great web site. It's nice to have somewhere to research problems and understanding them versus trusting the dealerships or automotive repair shops. It helps to make educated decisions and prevent getting ripped off. Once again, thanks everyone. I will be sure to post all of my issues and resolutions here so we all can share the knowledge.

I have a 2000 chevy venture that started doing the same thing and it turned out to be the solenoid in the transmission. It cost about $600.00 bucks to have it fixed and that was because we knew someone.

Till that time you had no more problems ? Did this really fixed the problem ?-> new soleniod and everythings OK?
thanks for details

My van intermittently has very hard abrupt shifting in all gears. I was driving yesterday and it was fine. Stopped to eat, got back in the car and it started shifting hard. Pulled over to the side of the road, switched the car off and waited about 2 minutes, started it back up and it ran perfect. It has only done this twice to me and about 3 times with my wife. Any ideas. I sure would prefer to fix this myself.

I fixed the problem. I had the same problems ( harsh shifting, then switch off the car, it works fine).
It was the dirty MAF ( Mass Airflow Sensor)

Just clean it, very easy- it takes about 15 min.
Here is eg. to clean it: see link
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cleanmaf.htm

I was searching about a month to solve the problem. My mechanic wants to overhoule the tranny first.
hope it helps

Till that time you had no more problems ? Did this really fixed the problem ?-> new soleniod and everythings OK?
thanks for details

Yes everything has been fine since they replaced the solenoid...

Oh NO! I was hoping that it would not be so bad. I looked at the transmission and noticed an electronic component attached to the exterior of the transmission (not sure what it is) but the linkage is connected to it. I was hoping it was some type of electronic modulator valve. Sounds like what you are talking about is internal to the transmission? If so, I know I dont want any part of trying to fix it. Should I go to a local transmission shop or the dealership? My local dealership has been fantastic in the past. Luckily I have a third car, so I do not need to make any rush decisions. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron
Is the harsh shifting always accompined by a change in the engine sound, this what is hapening in my venture 2000.

Thanks

Yes everything has been fine since they replaced the solenoid...
Was the harsh shifting accompined by change in the engine sound?
Thanks

i have the same problem with my 00 venture, hard shifting with unusual sound, turn engine off bout 1 min and then it will run fine. sometime it does it again for 2 or 3 times more.

I found a local transmission shop that replaced the PCS in our company van (Venture) for only $250 in labor. The part can be bought for around $29 via GMpartsdirect.com. The part number is 10478146. Failure of this part is not always accompanied by trouble codes. Not replacing a faulty PCS and continually driving with harsh shifts can lead to transmission damage. By far, the best post on the problems with this part is over in the Buick Century forum. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=398499&highlight=pcs+problem

I found a local transmission shop that replaced the PCS in our company van (Venture) for only $250 in labor. The part can be bought for around $29 via GMpartsdirect.com. The part number is 10478146. Failure of this part is not always accompanied by trouble codes. Not replacing a faulty PCS and continually driving with harsh shifts can lead to transmission damage. By far, the best post on the problems with this part is over in the Buick Century forum. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=398499&highlight=pcs+problem

I just went to some local mechancst, The computer found some code -sorry I do not have the number- but is says some thing like this "intemetnet circuit voltage ...- it seems this some sensor- this is what he wrote on the receipt.
Any way it cotsts me 40$ for part + 40$ labor.
I did not check the car yet because it happens only when I travel for 10-20 miutes on the highway
I hope this helps

My van intermittently has very hard abrupt shifting in all gears. I was driving yesterday and it was fine. Stopped to eat, got back in the car and it started shifting hard. Pulled over to the side of the road, switched the car off and waited about 2 minutes, started it back up and it ran perfect. It has only done this twice to me and about 3 times with my wife. Any ideas. I sure would prefer to fix this myself.



We replaced the MAF sensor and it fixed our shifting problems... :banghead:

i have the same problem with my 00 venture, hard shifting with unusual sound, turn engine off bout 1 min and then it will run fine. sometime it does it again for 2 or 3 times more.

just doing usual check shows error "sorry i do not have the number"
it says some thing like this: intermitnt circuit voltage ..."
the part was 40$ and the labor 40$ the van seems to work fine no strange sound no harsh shifting

jdaa , did you had a check engine light before you replaced the MAF sensor?
I cleaned the MAF b4 and did not help. maybe it really need to be replaced but ive scanned it for codes but it did not had 1.
i replaced instead the MAP today for I have a spare.
hope this will solve it if it does i will make a post.

MAP sensor didnt work, well off to the PCS.

This is a common problem on these trannys. I'm 99% sure you have a faulty Pressure selonoid inside the transmission. The cars computer picks up a slip that isn't really there, and compensates for this by raising the pressure needed to shift your transmission. This leads to a hard "bumping" shift. It is harmless, just annoying. To verify that this is the problem before you spend any money throwing parts at the car, take it to a transmission shop or garage that has a tech-2 scanner. This will be able to pick up the fault if it is there, for some reason this problem does not set a code that normal snap-on type scanners car read. My local garage here will fix it for 250 including the part, I'm in Michigan just to give you a cost comparason.

Thanks.
Any1 know where or has instructions on how to change PCS in 00 Venture, id really appreciate it.
im going to see if i can do it myself.

I found a local transmission shop that replaced the PCS in our company van (Venture) for only $250 in labor. The part can be bought for around $29 via GMpartsdirect.com. The part number is 10478146. Failure of this part is not always accompanied by trouble codes. Not replacing a faulty PCS and continually driving with harsh shifts can lead to transmission damage. By far, the best post on the problems with this part is over in the Buick Century forum. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=398499&highlight=pcs+problem

I have checked my 00 venture van (76K millage) while it was giving a hardshift which was acompained by a sound (whining sound!! not sure of the name)
any way it gave this code "1811" "maximum adapt shaft..." .
Two of mechancist told me that ti needs to be rebuild, one told me that it may be "valves prbolem" and we need to check the fluid presuure.!!!


* they hooked the computer while driving it, to chek for the selonoids and the tolde me that they are fine since it is goes on and off while shifting...
other people told me even though we need to take the selonoid out and give ti a look...

I am not sure what to do please help me
Thanks

I dont exactly know how much it cost to rebuild the trans but if it is expensive, id rather trade in the venture for a nissan or toyota minivans. my blue book value for this 2000 venture is only 5k. i hope the tranny could hold up for a couple more months.

I dont exactly know how much it cost to rebuild the trans but if it is expensive, id rather trade in the venture for a nissan or toyota minivans. my blue book value for this 2000 venture is only 5k. i hope the tranny could hold up for a couple more months.

The maximum adapt shift deals with the selonoid. A fulty selonoid detects a slight slip in the transmission that may not be there, to compensate it raises the shift pressure, which in turn gives you the hard bumping shift. If you replace the selonoid it will take care of the hard shift problem. As to your transmission needing to be rebuilt I don't know because the mechanics that looked at your vehicle may have found another problem. If they are saying it needs to be rebuilt because of the selonoid or max adapt shift, no way.

This is a common problem on these trannys. I'm 99% sure you have a faulty Pressure selonoid inside the transmission. The cars computer picks up a slip that isn't really there, and compensates for this by raising the pressure needed to shift your transmission. This leads to a hard "bumping" shift. It is harmless, just annoying. To verify that this is the problem before you spend any money throwing parts at the car, take it to a transmission shop or garage that has a tech-2 scanner. This will be able to pick up the fault if it is there, for some reason this problem does not set a code that normal snap-on type scanners car read. My local garage here will fix it for 250 including the part, I'm in Michigan just to give you a cost comparason.

* Can you pleasse give us the exact name for the scaneer to ask the dealer if he is using that one or not because in mine he hooked with some scanner and he told me that the selonid are fine ( do they chek the selonids while the car moving..)

Thanks
In what area of michigan is the shop you went to

The Scanner is called a Tech 2, It's black with a bluish colored screen. It's the Scanner that the GM Dealer garages use and is the best one out there, the only reason all garages don't use it is because it costs in the neighborhhod of 8,000 dollars. I'm in saginaw michigan pretty much the middle of the state.

has any1 tried to replace the PCS themselves? if so is it very hard to do or just time consuming?

You might think Im crazy, but has anyone tried this? I went to West Virginia for thanksgiving '05 and on the way back, I was able to maintain let say a "Decent" level of "Speed" "All" the way back to Indiana, stopping only momentarily to use the restroom or get snacks and then back on the highway again. We got home in record time it seemed, and went to sleep. After unloading the van the next day, I decided to drive it to work. The transmission was bucking like a horse, I had to stomp on the gas to get it to shift out of 2nd. Guess what the problem was?

Ignition Control Module was sticking, again.

See the last time that happened, the stupid 30.00 sensor was stuck in the opposite direction and wouldnt let my van start. I replaced it with one from Autozone and started right up. Now after my trip, I decided to buy another and I got this one from Pepboys. I put it in, shifts like a dream. Honest to God, it fixed my problem and hasnt came back yet. I see now why there is only a 90 day warranty on them.