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Car Transmission Questions
Question: 1984 Nissan 300 ZX 3 litre V6 mileage: 112,000 km.
My car is a 1984 Nissan 300 ZX with a three speed automatic with an electronic overdrive
for fourth gear. When I switch the overdrive on, it stays in third gear even
when the car is warmed up. The switch and overdrive solenoid are working but
I have been to several auto electricians and they cannot seem to find the fault.
Could you please give me a few suggestions on how to fix my problem?
Thank you.
Answer: The overdrive circuit is controlled by the engine temperature
sensor to prevent it from going into overdrive when the engine is cold. If
the sensor is faulty, it will not allow your transmission to shift into overdrive.
Also, check the thermostat, if it is stuck open, it will not allow the engine to
come up to normal temperature and the transmission will not shift into overdrive.
Question: 1980 GMC Pickup Full Size Bed V8 mileage: over 80K. When
accelerating, the automatic transmission will not shift into the next higher gear
unless I take my foot off the gas a bit. In addition, the engine must be racing
before I can let off the gas to get it to shift up. Downshifts fine.
What do you think is causing the problem? Thanks in advance.
Answer: Check the vacuum modulator. It may need replacing.
Also, check the vacuum hose to the modulator for leaks or lose connections.
Question: 1984 Ford Bronco 2 4wd 2.8 mileage: 198,000.
Reverse went out but the other gears work fine. I was told it was either the
rear band or a servo. My question is if it is a servo where is that located and
how can I tell?
Answer: Sounds like you are ready for a transmission overhaul.
The reverse band and servo are inside the transmission. In order to tell if
your problem is the servo, you need a transmission specialist to run a diagnostic.
Question: 1978 Chevrolet 350 mileage: 40,789. I have a 1978 Malibu
with a 350, how do I fit a turbo 400 trans with a Ford 9 in rear end behind it?
Answer: The turbo 400 transmission should bolt right in. The
rear cross member may have to be changed. A Ford 9 inch is a big big project.
A Chevrolet 12 bolt would be a lot easier.
Question: 1992 olds cutlass 3.1_mileage: 154,000. Hi guys, my wife's
beater is surging (lunging) at idle and when coming to a stop. She related
to me that it tried to take off while stopped at a traffic signal (and of course
I thought "yea, right"). After taking it for a spin, it sometimes thinks its in
third gear and stalls when coming to a stop after an extended ride (25 mi.).
This is an intermittent condition. I had a friend put it on the computer and
there were no trouble codes. He said it might be a transmission sensor.
Answer: Your car has a lock-up torque converter in the transmission.
It locks-up only in high gear. It is supposed to disengage at lower speeds.
Yours is not disengaging. There is probably a valve in the transmission “hanging
up”. Having the transmission serviced with new fluid may help the problem.
The cost is approximately $75.00 (Southern California Prices). Next step,
the valve body will have to be removed and cleaned. The cost is approximately
$200.00
Question: 1980 Jeep cj-7 151 mileage: 198,640. I have an opportunity
to buy a 258 in-line 6 cyl for the same year jeep (80). I currently have a 4 cyl
151. Is there a problem with using the 151 engines 4 speed transmission? It was
rebuilt and I would like to use it.
Answer: Your transmission will not work with a 6 cylinder engine, sorry.
Question: 1991 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0 mileage: 144,000. Auto Transmission
slow to shift until warmed up. Hard driving helps in shifting. After warm up, sometimes
easing up on the gas assists the slow shifting. Changed filter and leaking modulator
valve 15k ago.
Answer: Try a different vacuum modulator. The spring inside may be incorrect
for your car. If that does not fix your problem, hang on to your wallet because
it is overhaul time.
Question: 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limit V8 mileage: 53,887. I recently
changed the automatic transmission filter, gasket & fluid. The fluid that I used
was the Dextron 2. Now when I check the fluid, the fluid has several air type bubbles.
What could be causing the bubbles and what needs to be done to correct the problem?
If I check the fluid when the engine isn't running there isn't any.
Answer: Your transmission may be low on fluid. The bubbles may be the
result of air and fluid being sucked up into the filter and pump. Check the fluid
level first thing in the morning after the bubbles have settled down over night.
Our guess is you will find it low.
Question: 1966 Ford LTD 390 mileage: 60,000. I want to replace the seals
in my (automatic C6) transmission, but I'm a beginning mechanic and don't know how
to go about it. I'm looking for step by step instructions or some kind of a repair
manual, like Haynes or Chilton's. My local parts place says they can't order manuals
back to 1966. Any idea on where I can find information, or can you give me the ABC's?
Answer: Removing and reassembling an automatic transmission is a big job
for a beginning mechanic. You may be able to find old repair manuals at your local
library. Also, try the 2Carpros Bookstore.
Question: 1991 Pontiac Grand AM 2.5L mileage: 93,000. My '91 Grand Am
has a 3 speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The overdrive kicks in above
45 or 50 mph automatically. When traveling in overdrive for a long period (1/2 hour
or greater), the transmission will not shift out of overdrive when slowing down
or coming to a stop and the car stalls. Upon restarting the car, (in neutral or
park) the transmission is still in overdrive. In order to get the car out of overdrive,
I have to rev the engine and drop it into drive (not good). Do you have any idea
what might be causing this?
Answer: Your car has a lock-up torque converter in the transmission. It locks-up
only in high gear. It is supposed to disengage at lower speeds. Yours is not disengaging.
There is probably a valve in the transmission "hanging up". Having the transmission
serviced with new fluid may help the problem. The cost is approximately $75.00 (Southern
California Prices). Next step, the valve body will have to be removed and cleaned.
The cost is approximately $200.00.
Question: 1981 Mercedes Benz 300SD mileage: 220,000. Want to change transmission
filter and pan gasket. Because of mileage and not sure when and if prior owner changed
fluid, I am afraid to have fluid replaced. Present fluid clear and unburned. Should
I chance or will someone just change filter and gasket. Second question, vacuum
motor in trunk that runs door locks and gas cap cover, quits after about two weeks.
If I pull out, disconnect, and then connect three-prong electrical connector, it
works for another two weeks. However, I believe that if I disconnect the vacuum
line to the motor, it works for unlimited period.
Answer: If in doubt, change the transmission filter and gasket and at
the same time replace the fluid in the pan. With the transmission pan down, inspect
for metallic particles. A slight amount is normal. About your vacuum motor
problem, a cracked and leaking vacuum hose probably causes this. Locating and repairing
the hoses should fix the problem.
Question: Volkswagen Quantum,
90,000 miles. I want to have my transmission removed and replace instead of having
someone rebuild my old transmission which is a automatic. I decided to use another
transmission from another Volkswagen Quantum car that came with a warranty. Approximately,
how much should this cost? It seems to me this would be a very simple job because
all it takes is unbolting and removing the transmission, and inserting and aligning
the new transmission and re-bolting it in. In addition, what are some other things
besides the transmission fluid and filter they need to check or change when replacing
the transmission in a car?
Answer: Before having your transmission replaced with one from another
Volkswagen, you should be aware that not all transmissions are interchangeable.
Although they may appear the same, the manufactures are constantly updating from
year to year and even mid-year. Your car may not be compatible with another transmission.
Replacing the transmission is not a simple job. Your Volkswagen Quantum is not a
"mechanic friendly" car. The labor cost for removing and repairing your transmission
should be approximately $250.00. (Southern California Pricing).
Question: I have a 1993 Aerostar with an A4LD transmission. Recently in
the morning after reversing the car out of our driveway and slipping into drive
the transmission will not engage for a few seconds. Upon engagement, it drives fine
all day long. Is this a band adjustment, or a symptom of worse trouble on the way?
If this is a band adjustment, what is the band adjustment procedure and specifications
I should use? Thanks in advance for our help. P.S. It has been a few years since
I turned wrenches at repair shop!
Answer: A low fluid level in the transmission may cause the problem you describe.
Check for external leaks (oil on garage floor). Also, check the vacuum modulator
for a blown diaphragm (fluid in the vacuum line at the transmission). Another cause
could be the torque converter draining back into the transmission overnight. If
the converter is draining back, the "fix" is very involved. We do not think a transmission
adjustment will help.
Question: I own a 1992 totally stock Toyota 4X4 V6 Truck with
approx. 117,000 miles. At about 100,000 miles, I had the original clutch replaced.
The clutch was working fine, but because of the mileage, I felt it would need replacing
soon. Since the truck would be spending some quality time at the Toyota dealership
for the infamous head gasket problem, I felt this was as good a time as any. The
Toyota dealer replaced the clutch, pressure plate, bearing, and turned the flywheel.
The new clutch grabbed when starting off in first and especially in reverse. It
feels like the clutch is chattering. I returned the truck to the dealer with the
above complaints. They claim they replaced the clutch once again, but it did not
cure the problem. At this point, they thought the recently turned flywheel needed
replacing, naturally at my expense. After all this the truck still has the same
problem, but less severe. If driven aggressively, the clutch works smoothly. The
problem is most evident if you just release the clutch without applying the gas.
My question is, what other conditions could cause this particular problem? Could
the strength of the new clutch accentuate worn engine mounts? Would worn out bearings
in the rear end cause this, and if so, how can you tell if the axle bearings are
worn?
Answer: Your problem could be caused by improper clutch linkage adjustment.
One adjustment is under the dash on the clutch pedal to clutch master cylinder.
The other is on the clutch slave cylinder on the engine. Yes, worn engine and transmission
mounts can also cause this. I would be very surprised if the worn out bearings in
the rear end could cause the problems you describe. You can check for loose axle
bearings by raising your truck off the ground, lift each rear tire by hand, and
check for "play".
Question: My brother's car blew a clutch today. It is a 1986
Mazda 626. About how much would a new clutch cost?
Answer: $300.00 to $400.00 for labor and new parts: pressure
plate, clutch discs and release bearing.
MORE: Transmission questions
Repair Topics / Transmission-1
/ Transmission-2 /
Transmission-3 /
Transmission-4 /
Transmission-5
/ Transmission-6 /
Transmission-7
/ Transmission-8
/ Transmission-9
/ Transmission-10
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