1997 Sunfire 4 spd automatic repair & modding - Page 10 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Daox · 06-25-2014, 10:09 AM

Yeah, I know how to fix the door, I'm just not sure if I will fix it. Its a beater, and really just about no amount of reconditioning (that I'm willing to do) will fix that.

It is already worlds better than when it was first purchased for $900.

I did take some time to work on the parking / emergency brake last night. Apparently there is no adjustment... There is nothing inside, nor outside. My guess is that it is designed to have enough lever throw that you never need to adjust it. This of course assumes that the rear drum adjusters are properly adjusting. I will be checking this next. My guess is they've frozen up and I'm not actually getting any rear braking going on at all.

Daox · 06-25-2014, 02:23 PM

So, now that I know I have a 4 speed electronically controlled transmission versus a 3 speed hydraulically controlled transmission, I am having to learn a bit more before further tinkering. I don't know a ton about automatic transmissions, but I am learning. This PDF is a great read on how torque converter lockup has evolved over the years.

http://www.motor.com/magazine/pdfs/062006_07.pdf

I've also learned that the transmission code is: 4T40-E

Here is the wiki page on it. A quick google search leads me to believe it has a 3.63 differential ratio, and along with its .68 4th gear ratio, gives a pretty darn tall geared trans (which I already knew due to low cruising rpms).

backpacker3 · 06-25-2014, 07:23 PM

So are you still thinking of adding a lockup switch?

Daox · 06-26-2014, 10:16 AM

Yes, I would really like to install a TCC switch. There is just a lot more logic to trick now with the electronic transmission. We'll see what problems I encounter when I try wiring a switch up.

Last night I tried taking the drums off. They didn't come off easy, so I'm putting the parking brake adjustment on hold for right now.

Daox · 06-27-2014, 10:10 AM

Woohoo, last night I got the new wiper switch and I couldn't be happier. My wife installed it last night and we took it out to do the errands. No more automatic wiper feature (that was my joke because bumps caused it to 'automatically' turn on)!

Replacement was quite easy, just pop the steering column cover off, and remove a few bolts to get the switch off.

I was so happy to have this fixed. I gushed over it a few times while out with my wife. She laughed at me a lot.

Daox · 07-08-2014, 08:40 PM

I just got home from my first fill up in well over a month and a half (mostly thanks to my motorcycle). I was expecting low 30s (hoping for 32), and ended up with a very nice 34.76 mpg!

jcp123 · 07-08-2014, 08:46 PM

Nice! I always wondered what those 2.2 pushrod fours were capable of.

Daox · 07-08-2014, 08:52 PM

I don't think it has pushrods, but then again I don't really know much about the engine. Here is what wikipedia has to say:

General Motors 122 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

MetroMPG · 07-08-2014, 10:10 PM

Raising the bar each of the last 4 tanks...

mechman600 · 07-08-2014, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

I don't think it has pushrods, but then again I don't really know much about the engine.

It has pushrods. It was sort of based on the 60 degree GM V6 engines - same bore sizes, parts, etc.
Call it the last hoorah of the pushrod. Seems to be big hoorah for you!