Lude Generation

Some will be aware as i'm talking to a few about getting all the parts together for a manual swap, but does the following sound like my Auto tranny is about to die or could it be something simple?

Once warmed up and doing anything above 40MPH if i take foot of the gas the revs drop right down to under 1k and then pick up again and go back up to 2.5-3k depening on my speed. This occurs whether the car changes gear or not. Accelerating up there's no hesitation and goes through the gears fine. When it happens it feels like the gearbox is almost disconnecting for a moment then connecting again and the revs go back to where the engine is.

I've cleaned out solenoids, ATF was changed 14 months and 5k miles ago, still cherry red doesn't smell burnt. I also thought this was an intake issue at first so cleaned out my FITV and IACV but both were fine.

As i say I'm already in talks with several about manual conversion parts but wonder just how long this gearbox has. Car is a UKDM 5th 2.2 VTI Auto.

What condition is the radiator in? The auto box passes coolant though the bottom of the rad and sometimes they can leak internally and poison the gearbox with coolant.

Any oils in the coolant?

BTW, auto to manual is a seriously excellent upgrade.

Just replaced water pump and did coolant change. Didn't change radiator at time as it looked in pretty good condition still. Was no oil in coolant when i drained it and coolant looks nice and clean still, changed it about 2 months ago.

Yes i want to crack on with the conversion asap, just finding everything. In talks with Ted who was all the parts for a 4th gen but mines a 5th and it's not all going to be straightforward from what i have read.

when you say the gearbox is being disconnected what do you mean do you get an engine braking sensation like the brakes have gone on or is it just the revs dropping ?

Sorry perhaps poor choice of words, hard to describe it properly. The revs on the dash drop, but the engine revs are not actually dropping. Once it drops to about 1k, it shoots back up again to where it should be. Happens every time i lift off the gas. It's like the electrical signal drops for a moment then connects again. Through all of this, the engine is running fine, my revs are not actually dropping, no slowing down, no braking sensation.

All I've been able to find on this issue is a post where it was the Lock Up Solenoid not functioning correctly.

then the gearbox is fine what you are describing is what every Auto lude or in fact every Automatic car does the revs are stabilised by the gearbox when you suddenly lift off but the electrical signal from the tps drops out of sync for a milisecond and has to catch up nothing to do with your autobox

Well I feel silly, thank you very much for the info, means i can take my time to get parts together for the conversion without having to rush.

dont worry about it i had to go out in mine and my missus's auto's to check it out