Question: 1986 Holden Commodore 3.0 straight six mileage: 200,000.  I have a five speed manual gearbox, when I engage fifth gear it "slips" out of gear.  Is it time for a new gearbox, or do I have to adjust the selector?  Thanks

Answer: We are not familiar with the gearbox in your vehicle.  However, if there is an adjustment on the selector, it may be our of adjustment.  If not, the synchromesh inside the transmission is probably worn allowing it to slip out of gear.

Question: 1993 Ford Explorer V6 mileage: 77,000.  When I engage the transmission either in reverse or drive the transmission emits a "groaning" sound as if something is rubbing.   If I shift into neutral, the sound goes away.  When I start to accelerate the groaning sound goes away.  When warmed up the transmission intermittently makes the same groaning noise while at idle at a traffic light.  The transmission shifts normally and has not lost any fluid.  The manual doesn't specify any regular maintenance.

Question: 1992 Mercury Sable 3.8 mileage: 137,536.  Transmission pulls for a short time when cold then intermittently after that.   Changed trans fluid and filter and was able to drive for 30 minutes.  It shifted perfectly until it quit pulling suddenly.  What is the most likely culprit?

Answer: From what you have told us, it sounds like your transmission is going south.

Question: 1997 Chrysler 4 cylinder DOHC 2 mileage: 34,000.  Ever since I purchased my New Neon the trans slips on the first start in the morning.  It has been to the dealer many times but all they say is theycan't duplicate conditions.  This does not happen all the time it is intermittent.  Please help with some advice my husband & I am going crazy.  Thank You, Robin & Bob

Answer: You did not mention if your car was an automatic or a stick shift.  In answering your question, we will assume it is an automatic.  What may be occuring is the transmission fluid is draining out of the torque converter into the transmission (internal leak).  If this is the problem, it will take several hours, or possibly overnight for the fluid to drain into the transmission. Check the transmission fluid level in the morning before the car is started.  The fluid level will be extremely high if the converter is draining back.

Question: 1991 Chevy 1/2 ton truck 1500 V-6 mileage: 125,000.  My truck is a 1991 Chevy 1/2 ton truck, V-6, with a 5 speed trans.  I have a vibration and noise coming from my transmission or clutch area.  The noise is not all the time, mostly when the truck is cold, but not always.  I had the clutch, pressure plate and bearing replaced, but that did not help.  The truck runs very good and there is no noise after I am in 5th gear.  The noise and vibration is only while I am clutching and shifting.  The noise sounds like a bearing is bad.  It does not sound or feel like a bad gear, or synchronizer, or coming from the motor.   What can it be?

Answer: Was the pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft replaced?   If not, that might be your problem.

Question: 1999 Ford Taurus 3.0 litre mileage: 10,000.  Hello Bob and Ken, I have a 1999 Taurus that shifts with a heavy thud when driving in stop and go driving and the idle doesn't come down after taking your foot off the throttle.  It continues to shift up with a heavy thud and also downshifts with a clunk when driving in stop and go driving in heavy traffic.  So when it had 2000 miles on it I took it to a dealer to see what’s wrong with it since the 1997 Taurus I traded in on it didn't shift up and down with a thud or a clunk and the Ford dealers are telling me that the 1999 and newer Taurus transmissions put out higher pressure and it's normal for them to shift hard such as mine does.  So I took it to a private garage I've been doing business with for years and they said the throttle positioner is defective causing the engine not to drop down to low idle fast enough to allow the transmission to shift smoothly when your foot is off the gas.  Therefore, I took it back to the Ford dealers and they still insist there is nothing wrong with it slamming with a heavy thud when it shifts.  I'm afraid that the slam shifting is going to ruin my C-V joints or other drive train related parts.  Please tell me what I can do about getting this Ford to shift and idle down normally.  Yours truly, Monty

Answer: Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble.  Try scanning for fault codes to fix the high idle speed, which may be causing some of your hard shifting.  Also, check the transmission shift lever position sensor.

Question: 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2 mileage: 67,000.  Hi, I purchased this vehicle used and I don't know if the 4 speed AT has been serviced previously.  A friend (who is an ASE certified tech) advised that if I change the fluid now, and it HASN'T been serviced in the past, I might do more harm than good by dislodging sediment and debris.  I am fairly experienced in automotive matters, and I have heard this before from other people.  However, it just seems like an "old wives' tale" to me.  I would like your opinion on this matter.  Incidentally, I am not having any trans trouble; I just want to service it properly.   Thank you!

Question:  1987 Honda Accord 4 cylinder mileage: 150,000.  I was driving down the freeway at 65 mph in 5th gear when suddenly the tachometer ran up on Rpms and the car acted as though it was in neutral, however the car was still in 5th gear.  Once I got the car home (not going out of 4th gear) I shifted the car through all 5 gears while the clutch was engaged and found no problems.  I can put the car in 5th and let the clutch out and nothing happens.  It will act as if it is in neutral.  Is this a linkage problem or is the problem in the transmission?  The car is in great shape and has been well taken care of since original purchase.

Answer:  From what you have described, you have internal transmission problems.  You figured it out – your fifth gear is gone.

Question: 1988 Subaru 1800 mileage: 143,000.  My transmission well not engage any gear.  I was wondering could it be a torque converter problem? I have already changed one transmission but I used the old torque converter.  The Subaru is a 1988 GL-10 turbo with a 4-speed auto.

Answer:  When we replace an automatic transmission, we always a new or rebuilt torque converter.  The reason for this is that the old torque converter is filled with the shrapnel from the failed transmission.  Therefore, the old torque converter pumps the shrapnel back into the new transmission causing early transmission failure of the replaced transmission.

Question: 1989 Buick Century?  mileage: 100,000.   I recently bought this car and was told it had a new transmission put in (not a new transmission, but new to the car), however it rides very rough like the tranny is very old.  I've heard that when a car gets a new tranny it takes a while for the gears to "wear in", is this true?  And if so, how long does it take?

Answer: If your transmission is running rough now, it will not get better in the future, unfortunately.

Question: 1993 Chevy Astro Van V6 mileage: 84,000.  I am at a loss here in more ways than one.  Overall, my 1993 Chevy Astro mini conversion is in great shape.  I take care of it, regular 3,000-mile oil changes, etc.  My issues: First, I have had an intermittent problem for the last year shifting from park.  I have just replaced the second key ignition switch and had it to a mechanic twice in the last week.  It starts every time.  I apply the brake and sometimes it will not shift out of park (shift lever locks up).  After 5-30 minutes of wiggling the key/pressing the brake, it will allow me to shift out of park.  I checked around the steering column under the dash, located a round black cylinder, and discovered it gets hot.  I think the problem is some sort of switch or solenoid that allows the shift selector to shift after the brake is applied.  When it does shift, I can hear something engage, when it does not, I don't here anything.  Help?  Second, maybe you have a suggestion for me as recourse.  In the last 3 weeks, I have spent nearly $950.00, some on normal tune-up and brakes (rotor) I did myself, and most on major repair.  I had a vibration at 65 mph at the end of '97.  It returned Nov 99.  The shocks were bad and the tires were (cupped) ruined, due to the idler arms.  This was confirmed by two different repair facilities.  I discovered my extended warranty ran out 45 days prior.   Three weeks ago, I replaced tires/shocks and idler arms again.  The bill...$650.00.   I just put new tires and rear shocks in Oct '97.  The idler arms were replaced at a GM Dealer by a Goodwrench mechanic 18 months prior (Jul '98) under warranty.  I contacted the dealer and GM, neither would do anything for me, citing 12 months 12,000 miles warranty on their idler arms.  The road hazard warranty would not replace my tires due to damage caused by the idler arms.  The 70,000 Mile Goodyear Regatta tires had around 40,000 miles on them.  I do not know of any one replacing idler arms every 18 months. 

Answer:  Test the brake light switch for 12 volts in and out with your foot on the brake.  If you do have 12 volts in and out, then the problem is likely the solenoid on the shift selector.   As for the idler arms, we have not heard of anyone else with similar problems.  If you have oversized tires and wheels, it will accelerate the wear.

Question: 1984 Jeep Wagoneer 2.8/v-6 mileage: many.  Transmission shifts fine in warm weather.  However, when it is cold out it does not want to shift out.  It will shift into second after a while but can take 10 miles to go into third.  "HELP".   Have changed filter and fluid.

Answer:   Since you have already changed the filter and fluid, and you are still having problems, you may be ready for a transmission overhaul.

Question: 1983 Ford Ranger  mileage: 230,000.   This Ranger has seen a lot of miles and 3 clutches all in all a pretty good record.  What I've got happening now is the transmission gets stuck in gear unless I double clutch.   It only happens when the truck is warmed up or I'm accelerating hard.  Hydraulics?   Transmission?  Thanks for any direction so I can go to the mechanic a little more informed.