Hi everybody, I'm from Chile and I've an Cady Catera (Opel Omega MV6 down here).

I'm having problems with the transmission (the 4L30E).
When I drive at about 60km/h (38mph) the transmission slips (it goes to neutrum I think) for a few seconds and then I feel a big punch. Then lights the transmission light and it goes to "manual mode". But when I shut down the engine and start it again, the problem fades.
When I drive above that speed the problem goes away.

There is also a problem in low speed (below 50km/h/31mph). When I realese the throtle I can feel a litle punch (not as big as the "60km/h punch").

All this hapen with a warm engine and transmission. When they are cold, all works perfectly.

It could be these things: Torque converter, valve body on the transmission, or its getting improper lubercation (aka valve body then). BUT being that its all electronically controlled, who knows what the computer is thinking. It'd be best to have someone OPEL Certified take a look at the car and give you a proper diagnosis from not only the transmission but from a quick drive to see what they think.


:welcome: by the way

Thanks.
What about the transmission oil. Can be that. I think it's the original oil and the car has 120000km(75000 miles). But in OPEL they say me that is a litle complicated changing the oil to this transmission. They recomend not to change it.

Yep that would be the case, you have to know how to take off the valve body and other parts so it can all drain out... not only that but if you wanted to change the Torque converters' fluid then you have to dissconnect it from the engine (The transmission) and then take out the torque converter and disassemble it.

How can I see the oil level on this type of transmissions?

There should be a dipstick in the engine compartment; although Im not quite sure i saw one... there should be. Its as simple as checking engine oil, but you have to have the engine running when you do it.

I do not find any dipstick. Are you sure??
Maybe it is hidden somewhere under the car.

I was right, there is no dipstick (my thoughts concur) ... now im wondering as you are, how to check the level!

I found how to check oil level in this transmissions.
With the engine running and AC on (for increased idle speed). Apply Parking brake and move the selector lever trough all positions.
With the engine running and the lever in Park remove the filler plug. If a small stream of oil runs out, the level is OK.

I found it a little complicated, but is the only way.

Where is the transmission computer located?

its right by the passenger side...when you open the front passenger door you'll see on the side of the glove compartment a panel take it off and then with a phillip screw driver take off like 2 or 3 screws then remove the vent and u will see it ..its the top one, you'll need to take a dust cover from under the glove compartment so that way you can reach with your left hand to it..its a 10mm nut thats holding the TCU ..good luck..what year is ur car???

I had this problem with my '99 Catera. It ended up that my 2nd Drum Clutch was cracked. My car had the same symptoms as you are describing. Too bad im still having problems after they fixed it and my transmission is rattling 1500 rpm and shifting hard.

I stand corrected. All fixed now.

alvaro, i had the exact same problem your having. I had this problem checked out by half a dozen mechanics, it wasnt until i heard it from my local cadillac dealer that i came to a conclusion. sad to say but u need a new transmission or rebuilt, good luck with that. mine was 1700$ canadian to be rebuilt which was pretty cheap, my local cadillac dealer wanted close to 5 grand

The problem you are having are warning signs from your tranny that its low on ATF levels and maybe a dirty filter. The Tranny in these cars protect themselves from total destruction by not working 100% but rather 45% until they are serviced. All you need to do is change the ATF fluid and filter. You will need to jack up the car from the front and back. Open the pan and connect an ATF exchanger (a special pump) to the cooler line from its radiator,the old ATF liquid is pushed out of the converter. Once everything is pushed out you may put in the new filter and make sure you put in the correct amount of fluid!!! Good Luck

Sorry that I didn't answer this topic before, but right now I'm in germany and I forgot to visit the forum.

About my tranny. Like somebody said, it needed a complete overhaul. It was about US$1500. It works very good now, I'm really enjoying the car.

And because I'm in germany now, I will buy some things to my car :D.

Alvarofue, change the transmission oil and filter. There is a drain plug for the transmission oil so start by draining it fiirst. Then remove all the bolts that hold the transmission oil pan to the transmission, I think they're 10mm. Then pop off the filter and replace it with a new one. Now, to refill the transmission oil, the filler openeing is actually on the passenger's side of the car on the transmission itself. I got a piece of rubber hose and connected it to my funnel and re-filled it from the engine bay. I HIGHLY recommend synthetic transmission fluid like Mobile 1, Amsoil, Red Line, Royal Purple ect. They all are good; you can't beat synthetic transmission oil or synthetic motor oil. When you get about 4 quarts in, go through all the gears a few times with the car running. Then let it sit for a minute or so and then add more transmission fluid(oil) until it is comming out of the filler openeing. You might have to have someone help you because you have to observe the overflow from underneath the car. This should cure your problem. Cateras are not known for blowing transmissions.

Seems like that 2nd drum on the transmissions is faulty- my 98 one is doing the same thing and only when it warms up- when it's cold, no problemo. Weird. Changed the fluid and filter and still nothing, so it has to be mechanical. If it was something electronic, it would be doing it the whole time(unless some wire heats up and starts doing weird stuff, but very doubtful). It works fine that way and I've been driving it like that for the past 30,000 miles, so I'm thinking why not, it drives fine, just need to give it a little bit gas when it warms up between 2nd a 3rd and not rev it too much. I'll start thinking about a new transmission after it completely dies, but I'm sure it'll last for at least 30,000 more:yup:

Never seen any drums or cluthches fail like this on the Omega (Vaux Caterra), I have seen a valve body fault (known on these US boxes apparantly) which causes the box to go into neutral. The acid test as to if this is the fault is to either quickly press the sport button or drop it into 3, if it recovers this is the cause.......

Occasionally the sport light flashes on my '99 Catera along with similar symptoms that were described in the original post (shifting problems). Does this flashing signify anything significant? Is it a different problem if this light is flashing? I thought I had tackled this problem when I had an indication that several cylinders had misfired. The fuel filter was almost completely plugged so I replaced it. Still having problems and fuel pressure tested fine. Replaced spark plugs and for awhile I had no problems for awhile. Now the sport light flashes and occasionally the cruise control will disengage and does not reengage when I hit the switch. Despite my best efforts I can't cause the car to do this. It seems very random. I do only engage the cruise only when I'm driving faster than 50 mph.

I also replaced the mass air flow filter.

Hello,
Some input...i recently had the transmission computer changed on my 2000 catera....and it's located on the side of the passenger side dash. Hope this helped...Ray