A/T CEL, Hard Downshift from 3-2,2-1 - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Znu · 11-02-2018, 06:27 PM

Hi everyone,
I’ve been having an issue with manual mode on my A/T 2013 FRS. Like the title says, my check engine light is on and upon downshifting from 3 to 2, or 2-1, it feels as though the car has completely forgotten how to rev match, and I feel a jerk forward as the rpm drudges to normal levels. The issue doesn’t happen in higher gears (6-5,5-4,4-3). There also seems to be a very low downshift limit. Normally, I can downshift even if I’m at 5-6k rpm, but ONLY in 2nd gear, I can’t downshift if I’m above 2.5k. I did some reading and am assuming this to be an issue with the transmission solenoid (?). Just want to find out if I can fix this myself or if I should take it to a transmission shop.

Thanks in advance!
(Also, yes I know; it’s because I drive an A/T)

arkanist · 11-02-2018, 07:18 PM

You really shouldn't be downshifting at 6k ever, or above 2.5k going into 1st (honestly why do you need to downshift into 1st?). I drive manual though so I can't really comment on the rest.

HKz · 11-02-2018, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkanist

You really shouldn't be downshifting at 6k ever, or above 2.5k going into 1st (honestly why do you need to downshift into 1st?). I drive manual though so I can't really comment on the rest.

huh? no, even on manual it is fine to downshift & rev match into 1st...it is something you should learn if you're serious into driving stick...

....but with this being the auto it should be a piece of cake...I was always only in M mode when I had my auto FRS and I would always engine brake, downshift & hit limiter back down into 1st at every stop light with no problems...

as for OP I stopped at the check engine light. Clearly something is wrong with your car and you're asking about other issues? Do you even know what code is coming up?

FL4WLSS · 11-02-2018, 09:59 PM

When was the last time you changed the trans fluid?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

whataboutbob · 11-02-2018, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKz

huh? no, even on manual it is fine to downshift & rev match into 1st...it is something you should learn if you're serious into driving stick...

....but with this being the auto it should be a piece of cake...I was always only in M mode when I had my auto FRS and I would always engine brake, downshift & hit limiter back down into 1st at every stop light with no problems...

as for OP I stopped at the check engine light. Clearly something is wrong with your car and you're asking about other issues? Do you even know what code is coming up?

+1 on figuring out why you have a CEL first.

Znu · 11-03-2018, 12:32 PM

@arkanist hahaha I know, just saying that even at that rpm on other gears I have the option to do so, but only on second, I don’t. @HKz Yeah, im gonna go get it scanned right now. I was just wondering what could potentially be causing these issues. I’ve had the issue before, but the CEL just kinda disappeared last time, literally on the way to the shop hahaha. @FL4WLSS less than two months ago. @whataboutbob on my way to do so right now!

Znu · 11-05-2018, 08:19 PM

Hi guys, so the CEL disappeared on the way to autozone but came back up today. Immediately went to get it scanned and P0351. After looking around, I’ve found that it’s a problem with my coil pack and I’ll probably be replacing it as soon as I can afford parts hahaha. Thanks for the help all!

FRSBRZGT86FAN · 11-06-2018, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Znu

Hi guys, so the CEL disappeared on the way to autozone but came back up today. Immediately went to get it scanned and P0351. After looking around, I’ve found that it’s a problem with my coil pack and I’ll probably be replacing it as soon as I can afford parts hahaha. Thanks for the help all!

Important note, a lot of engine codes and problems will cause the transmission to feel sluggish or laggy or shift incorrectly. Always diagnose the code first.

Znu · 11-07-2018, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

Important note, a lot of engine codes and problems will cause the transmission to feel sluggish or laggy or shift incorrectly. Always diagnose the code first.

Ahh didn’t know that! Thanks for the info!

11-02-2018, 06:27 PM	#1
Znu Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S A/T Location: Los Angeles Posts: 17 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	A/T CEL, Hard Downshift from 3-2,2-1 Hi everyone, I’ve been having an issue with manual mode on my A/T 2013 FRS. Like the title says, my check engine light is on and upon downshifting from 3 to 2, or 2-1, it feels as though the car has completely forgotten how to rev match, and I feel a jerk forward as the rpm drudges to normal levels. The issue doesn’t happen in higher gears (6-5,5-4,4-3). There also seems to be a very low downshift limit. Normally, I can downshift even if I’m at 5-6k rpm, but ONLY in 2nd gear, I can’t downshift if I’m above 2.5k. I did some reading and am assuming this to be an issue with the transmission solenoid (?). Just want to find out if I can fix this myself or if I should take it to a transmission shop. Thanks in advance! (Also, yes I know; it’s because I drive an A/T)

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11-02-2018, 07:18 PM	#2
arkanist Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Drives: 2016 BRZ Limited, Stock Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 243 Thanks: 183 Thanked 154 Times in 94 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You really shouldn't be downshifting at 6k ever, or above 2.5k going into 1st (honestly why do you need to downshift into 1st?). I drive manual though so I can't really comment on the rest.

11-02-2018, 09:59 PM	#4
FL4WLSS Member Join Date: May 2014 Drives: Posts: 12 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	When was the last time you changed the trans fluid? Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

11-03-2018, 12:32 PM	#6
Znu Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S A/T Location: Los Angeles Posts: 17 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	@arkanist hahaha I know, just saying that even at that rpm on other gears I have the option to do so, but only on second, I don’t. @HKz Yeah, im gonna go get it scanned right now. I was just wondering what could potentially be causing these issues. I’ve had the issue before, but the CEL just kinda disappeared last time, literally on the way to the shop hahaha. @FL4WLSS less than two months ago. @whataboutbob on my way to do so right now!

11-05-2018, 08:19 PM	#7
Znu Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S A/T Location: Los Angeles Posts: 17 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hi guys, so the CEL disappeared on the way to autozone but came back up today. Immediately went to get it scanned and P0351. After looking around, I’ve found that it’s a problem with my coil pack and I’ll probably be replacing it as soon as I can afford parts hahaha. Thanks for the help all!

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