Originally Posted by bclexus

No, even with a weak battery the voltage would increase within a minute or so back to a level that would operate the solenoid valve. If you are able to drive the car for 45 minutes and still have the slow engagement issue it does not appear that a weak battery is the problem. The battery is just one of many potential areas that could cause the slow 1st gear engagement, which is why I brought it up. Hopefully there will be a trouble code, which will tie it down to one particular thing.