1999 OLDS ALERO 3500 swap

[nixtux]

The final drive ratio is decent from the factory, with 3.29 gearing.
The transmission in the pics above is from a 04 Grand Am GT and only has 25,000 miles on it, so everything else should be good.

Thankfully I read this thread before I installed the transmission in my car as I would have been pissed to get it back together only to find out it isn't shifting properly. Not sure when I will get everything going again, but hopefully this solves any shifting issues. I am anxiously awaiting Nixtux's results as he will probably have his changed over before I get my car back on the road.

I haven't replaced this yet. This spring or early summer I'll be swapping the other motor in so it kind of seems like a waste to drop 500-600 at the dealership when it'll be easy enough to do once the motors out.

However, the TPV can't be regulated on pre-02, and since the wiring is the same you shouldn't have a issue.

On another note, I've had time to play around and have found a few tricks to force it
to shift into OD (it'll go into 4th but it won't go into OD.) Driving in 3rd for a while then changing to OD seems to open that gear up. So not sure if the issue is a linkage issue or not. 1st/2nd do not work on the current trans, but 3rd does. Looking at the 05 GAGT bin in HP tuner also shows those two grayed out so I don't think there is a issue there. Anyway just some random observations. Overall, it's been behaving most the winter as long as I let it cool off for at least 2hrs between driving. Weird but overall I can't complain.

Been working a lot so haven't had a lot of time to really dink with it or even think about what to do next.

I also have to track the crank code down. I may just try re-relearning in case that failed, but I'm guessing it's a wiring issue somewhere. Going to replace the two sensors and have the wiring redone for the external sensor. Considering the wiring on the TPV valve went bad from the work at the last shop, it wouldn't surprise me if it's something simple.

Hope that helps!

[ga2001532]

Hey am pretty much from St.cloud. and am swapping a 3.5 plus manual in my grand am. Once its warms up it should be finished. Counting on it being done spring break.

[onefastV6]

final drive change
you should check the TCC Sol/valve too, those work alot

The final drive ratio is decent from the factory, with 3.29 gearing.
The transmission in the pics above is from a 04 Grand Am GT and only has 25,000 miles on it, so everything else should be good.

Thankfully I read this thread before I installed the transmission in my car as I would have been pissed to get it back together only to find out it isn't shifting properly. Not sure when I will get everything going again, but hopefully this solves any shifting issues. I am anxiously awaiting Nixtux's results as he will probably have his changed over before I get my car back on the road.

[bob442]

final drive change
you should check the TCC Sol/valve too, those work alot

[onefastV6]

I went ahead and ordered a pressure control solenoid, couldn't pass up the 25% off, free shipping and $50 off my next $100 order through advance auto parts today. To me the $34.00 I paid for the pressure control solenoid is piece of mind. I would hate to get my car back together only to have to tear it apart due to a $34 part causing the car not to shift properly.

Got the part and installed it tonight, the 99-02 Pressure Control Solenoid is much larger than the 03+ Solenoid.
Very easy install when the trans is out of the car (about 15 mins to take the side cover off, swap it out and put it back together). It would be a pain to do with the trans in the car as you must remove the side cover on the transmission. I also put in a new trans filter, so the trans is ready to go back in once I get a few home improvement projects done.



99-02 Pressure Control Solenoid on the Right
03+ Pressure Control Solenoid on the Left


Connector

[onefastV6]

It's a $500-600 fix so not sure when I'll be able to. Focusing on that crank code right
now since I don't think that is something that will cost anything.

There is a wire hanging back where the crank sensor is but it doesn't look like it's for
the crank sensor. Need to track where it goes and hopefully it fixes something.

I went ahead and ordered a pressure control solenoid, couldn't pass up the 25% off, free shipping and $50 off my next $100 order through advance auto parts today. To me the $34.00 I paid for the pressure control solenoid is piece of mind. I would hate to get my car back together only to have to tear it apart due to a $34 part causing the car not to shift properly.

[nixtux]

Let me know when you do this and how it works for you. If you can provide a part number and take pics it would be appreciated. I have a trans from a 04 that is going into my 00 gagt and I would like to swap the pressure switch before it goes in if that is the solution.

It's a $500-600 fix so not sure when I'll be able to. Focusing on that crank code right
now since I don't think that is something that will cost anything.

There is a wire hanging back where the crank sensor is but it doesn't look like it's for
the crank sensor. Need to track where it goes and hopefully it fixes something.

[onefastV6]

I did, I got a stock 05' Grand Am bin, saved all the transmission tables and put them on my alero bin. Did a write entire and nothing.

The problem isn't the tables, it's that the valve cannot be controlled by the older computers. It's a completely different valve (albeit the wiring
is the same.) The only solution I could come up with is replacing the valve with the older one. Hopefully I'll be able to get it in this week.

Let me know when you do this and how it works for you. If you can provide a part number and take pics it would be appreciated. I have a trans from a 04 that is going into my 00 gagt and I would like to swap the pressure switch before it goes in if that is the solution.

[nixtux]

The advance looks about where mine is so that's good lol.

Those codes go away after awhile. I looked them up and they come up when you
flash the PCM. Are you running a 3.5?

I see a post from 10-22 on grandamgt, that almost sounds like what mine does on
hot days when it goes into that limp mode. It either backs off and doesn't go or
it goes and hits redline and won't shift until you back off the accelerator. Does it
throw any codes? The only other thing that is odd about the 05' transmission,
all settings from "D" down do the same thing. It doesn't allow downshifting or lower
gears to be used.

As far as the transmission goes, if it's newer than 02' just the valve but I can't say
for sure if that resolves the pressure issues or not. I don't know if I'll be able to get
that fixed before I have to leave town on Wend. I'll find out once the dealership
opens. Otherwise it will be after Thanksgiving.

The gagt forum has some really good posts on what can be done to the 4t45s. I
made the mistake of getting inserts without looking up the consequences first, so I
too am planning to get a transmission rebuilt over the winter. Keep me posted on
what you find/do.

It is very odd, now that it's getting cold, it behaves a lot better. If it's <28F it shifts
properly without fail. I'm conflicted if that's actually the issue.

This was a screenshot I took in September when the subject first was mentioned. Interesting thing is the DTCs don't store as retrievable data in the scanlog, so I had to record it as a screenshot in real time. And if I try to "clear" those codes, they instantly reappear.


Now my tranny is at a shop that will make recommendations on a performance build, but after reading your results, I'm not sure what to tell them as far as what to upgrade. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[AleroB888]

Any chance you could post your DTCS from your 99? I'm curious what codes I share with you. I'm pretty sure the brake codes are the ABS pump since the wheel bearings and speed sensors are basically brand new.

The only code I really care about is the CPS since I can't tune it. I wouldn't really care about tuning if I wasn't planning on putting my cammed 3500 back in this spring. Assuming the valve issue can be identified and fixed. Hopefully I can afford that this month. Money is tight ATM and has been for the last year or so.

This was a screenshot I took in September when the subject first was mentioned. Interesting thing is the DTCs don't store as retrievable data in the scanlog, so I had to record it as a screenshot in real time. And if I try to "clear" those codes, they instantly reappear.


Now my tranny is at a shop that will make recommendations on a performance build, but after reading your results, I'm not sure what to tell them as far as what to upgrade. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[nixtux]

Thanks for the info.....
I did not have an issue with cps, but the issue with my 1999 is complex, I'll link to the HPT threads:

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11703

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17514

At the time a friend had all the GM HP Tuner licences (cost big bucks), and somehow they did a calibration for him, since iirc, there was no calibration for his 2001 Alero back then. He got it to reflash to a spare PCM in my car, and it works better for unknown reasons. I later got my own HP Tuners, licenced for all 1999 V6 Aleros, and for that custom PCM I use, and my 2003 Alero. It's been in the Twilight Zone of tuning ever since .........

Any chance you could post your DTCS from your 99? I'm curious what codes I share with you. I'm pretty sure the brake codes are the ABS pump since the wheel bearings and speed sensors are basically brand new.

The only code I really care about is the CPS since I can't tune it. I wouldn't really care about tuning if I wasn't planning on putting my cammed 3500 back in this spring. Assuming the valve issue can be identified and fixed. Hopefully I can afford that this month. Money is tight ATM and has been for the last year or so.

[nixtux]

I did, I got a stock 05' Grand Am bin, saved all the transmission tables and put them on my alero bin. Did a write entire and nothing.

The problem isn't the tables, it's that the valve cannot be controlled by the older computers. It's a completely different valve (albeit the wiring
is the same.) The only solution I could come up with is replacing the valve with the older one. Hopefully I'll be able to get it in this week.

Finally did a 0-75-ish with it. Nothing special but it has issues to work out. Has some decent snap to it no less.

*EDIT*

Drove past my starting point and had two black marks. On the driver side it was about 15ft and on the passenger side it was about 7ft. Any reason it would unlock midway?

[onefastV6]

It's the transmission pressure valve. GM changed the design in 2003 but the wiring is
the same. So it's just replacing the newer with the older. Or so the transmission guy
at the dealership said. I haven't had it replaced yet but I know that's the issue with it
not shifting to 4th. As far as the part being better or worse, the guy said he didn't
see why they changed it. Apparently the older valve design was very reliable.

As far the "2001" -- did you replace the PCM and that resolved your cps issue?
I also haven't tested a newer PCM yet.

Is there any special instructions for replacing the comp? The dealership said they
would re-flash the computer with the 1999 info so I didn't change the computer.

But I'd love to get rid of that code so I can tune it some.

Have you tried to change the transmission settings your 99 PCM to that of the 03+ PCM?
I have an 04 trans that is going in my 00 grand am and I am hoping I can work around any changes via HPTuners and tiny tuner.

[AleroB888]

................As far the "2001" -- did you replace the PCM and that resolved your cps issue?
I also haven't tested a newer PCM yet.

Is there any special instructions for replacing the comp? The dealership said they
would re-flash the computer with the 1999 info so I didn't change the computer.

But I'd love to get rid of that code so I can tune it some.

Thanks for the info.....
I did not have an issue with cps, but the issue with my 1999 is complex, I'll link to the HPT threads:

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11703

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17514

At the time a friend had all the GM HP Tuner licences (cost big bucks), and somehow they did a calibration for him, since iirc, there was no calibration for his 2001 Alero back then. He got it to reflash to a spare PCM in my car, and it works better for unknown reasons. I later got my own HP Tuners, licenced for all 1999 V6 Aleros, and for that custom PCM I use, and my 2003 Alero. It's been in the Twilight Zone of tuning ever since .........

[nixtux]

It's the transmission pressure valve. GM changed the design in 2003 but the wiring is
the same. So it's just replacing the newer with the older. Or so the transmission guy
at the dealership said. I haven't had it replaced yet but I know that's the issue with it
not shifting to 4th. As far as the part being better or worse, the guy said he didn't
see why they changed it. Apparently the older valve design was very reliable.

As far the "2001" -- did you replace the PCM and that resolved your cps issue?
I also haven't tested a newer PCM yet.

Is there any special instructions for replacing the comp? The dealership said they
would re-flash the computer with the 1999 info so I didn't change the computer.

But I'd love to get rid of that code so I can tune it some.

Are you able to get the part# for what you replaced in the trans? Mine is on the bench at a shop now, and if that part is a GM upgrade / retrofit for the stock 1999, I'd probably get that done, too......

As far as "safe modes" in the 1999 PCM, I think that is very possible and very frustrating. With a supercharger and larger injectors, I could not "retune" the stock 1999 PCM ( in fact, such attempts created a "fail mode"), and finally went to a 2001 program. HP Tuners tech was never able to help on it. However, I have not tried the latest HP T version, opting to keep the devil I know, for now.