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Question: 1989 Chevy Caprice 305 mileage 186,000: I was at a red light, when the light turned green, I gave it gas, it moved a few feet and then jerked to a stop. It acts like it is in park; it will move a total of about 3 feet from as far forward as it will go to as far backward. In drive, it moves to the front "stop" point, and then acts like the brakes are locked up. In reverse, same only it moves backward. In neutral, it can be pushed through the (approximate) 3 feet of travel. I checked the fluid and it was low, I added about 2/3 of a quart (it was over a pint low) but no change, however I didn't check the new fluid level. I know there are several possibilities of causes, but would like to know if, in your expert opinion, what the most likely cause would be, and if it would be worth trying to fix or just replace (I recently replaced 2/3 of the engine).

Answer: We do not think that the transmission is your problem. Your description would lead us to believe that your problem is in the differential. When you look at the differential, you will probably find that the shaft that holds the spider gears has come loose. Fortunately the problem occurs infrequently in rear wheel drive cars. However, it is a relatively inexpensive repair assuming there has been no damage done.

Question: 1997 GMC Suburban 350 ci mileage: 60,000. I’m having transmission shift problems. When I first start it up and drive, it shifts great. After about 25 minutes of driving and stopping at a stop sign then pulling out, it shifts hard into 2nd gear. If I stop for 5 minutes, say at a gas station, then pull out, it shifts great again. It’s like, after it heats up to a good operating temperature it shifts hard but when I stop for a few minutes it fixes the problem for a few more miles.

Answer: The solenoid that controls the shift from first to second in your transmission is probably hanging up and may need to be replaced. However, try servicing the transmission with a new filter and fluid first.

Question: 2002 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner V6 mileage: 9,000: Since day one, my automatic transmission "thumps" when down-shifting just before coming to a stop. If it does not thump when coming to a stop, it will do it when taking off from a stop. Tends to start doing this when normal engine temp is reached. Dealer says that it is no problem and that some trucks do this. Dealer says that they tried adding lubrication to the prop shaft joints to help lessen the thump. Dealer says that the Toyota Sequoia does the same thing. Is there a solution or is this just a quirk of these models?

Answer: It could be coming from a slip joint on the drive shaft. As you are stopping, it tends to pull the joint apart and as you start accelerating it pushes it back together. If it is sticky or lacks lubricant, it has a tendency to jump causing your thumping sound.

Question: 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 6 cyl mileage: 25,000. I have been led to believe that Automatic and Manual Front Wheel TRANSMISSION and Automatic and Manual TRANSAXLE are the same thing. Please tell me if the dealership is trying to pull a fast one on me regarding an extended warranty.

Answer: The transaxle includes the transmission, final drive gears and differential.

Question: 1989 Mercury Cougar. I found a round plastic piece about 1 1/2 " long with a rubber O-ring on it floating in my transmission pan. Kind of looks like a plunger or fishing bobber. Do you know what this is or where it goes? Thanks, Shane

Answer: When your car was assembled at the factory, the round plastic piece was used in place of the dipstick to keep foreign objects out of the transmission. On the assembly line, the dipstick tube is inserted pushing the round plastic piece into the transmission. It serves no purpose after the tube is installed.

Question: 96 Ford Explorer Eddie B. 6 cyl mileage: 70,000. I have a 4x4 Explorer Eddie Bauer edition. Just this week my engine starting racing when I stepped on the accelerator. I was told the transmission needed replacing by the repair shop and it was a very common thing for a 1996 Explorer no matter what the mileage was. I have never heard of any recall problems by Ford. Is this a common thing to happen with this year of Explorer? I had a 1994 Explorer and never had it happen. In fact, one of my family members still has the car and has never had problems with transmission.

Answer: Yes, the transmission is different for 1996 over the 1994. You could, unfortunately, be ready for a transmission overhaul with only 70,000.

Question: 1998 Chrysler 2.5L V6 mileage: 50,000. My car doesn't change to 2nd or 3rd gear when driving. The speed-o-meter doesn't indicate speed. I had the problem once before-when the car was still under warranty--and the dealer said they replaced a sensor (I believe). What controls the speed-o-meter and shift changes?

Answer: The sensor that is probably bad is the vehicle speed sensor located in the transmission.

Question: 95 Chevy Caprice 350 mileage: 45,000. The electronic solenoids A & B have melted down. The transmission stayed in the safe mode. Is electrical failure possible - due to power supply surge or an increase in the number of amps sent from the computer module to the transmission solenoids? Transmission shop says "this is a major-major electrical problem" is it possible for this failure to be from defective solenoids. Transmission was rebuilt and had less than 1000 miles on it when it failed.

Question: 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada mileage 41,000. Last year, my husband took my SUV on a hunting trip. He drove four hours (all highway miles). He exited the highway (and came to a complete stop). He pressed the accelerator to go... well when it shifted from first to second gear, there was this real hard shift (Like there was some sort of transmission problem). After the truck set for a few days, it drove like nothing was wrong with the transmission. When he exited the highway to our home from the four hour trip from hunting, the truck shifted very hard again from first gear to second gear. Only, this time, the "check engine" light came on. Now, if I drive half an hour (on the highway) this hard shifting from first to second gear sometimes happens and sometimes doesn't happen. The "check engine" light hasn’t come on in a while. I have spent $$$ and it still happens. If I shut the car off for a few minutes, then restart the truck, it's usually okay. Is it a sensor or what!?

Question: 1993 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6 Northstar mileage: 150,000. Dear Sir, Madam, We have got U.S. car service since 10 year and we repaired some Cadillac transmission and all was good. We have got a big problem. The transmission type: 4T 80-E The problem: When the transmission cold everything good, when warm after 30 minutes the transmission in "N" place the car starting slowly and in "R" place The car starting hard. We change already MASTER KIT, and under valve body and side valve body, and "A" - "B" solenoid. After that the problem same. Lendvai from Hungary

Answer: There is a computer that controls the transmission. This computer can be scanned for fault codes to pinpoint the malfunctioning component or the computer itself could be faulty.

Question: 1991 Nissan PU 4 cyl mileage: 70,000. On my way home today my transmission started to slip and within 1/2 mile, I had lost all power. The engine sounds fine, but the vehicle acted like it was in neutral. I coasted home and found transmission oil all over the ground. Does this mean my transmission has been totally ruined or is there a chance that something minor such as a hose etc. has gone bad? As you can tell, I'm no expert on cars.

Answer: There is a chance your transmission is not damaged. Refill the transmission with fluid and then determine where the fluid is leaking and repair the leak. Test-drive the truck and check for proper operation. If you are lucky, this will solve your problem. If not, you are in for a transmission overhaul.

Question: 1997 Chevy Blazer LT Don't Know mileage: 44,700. I purchased this truck with 38,000 miles on it a couple of months ago. I took it in for an oil change and the mechanic came out of the shop and wanted to show me something. There was a huge amount of orangish/brown gunk - kind of, like sandy clay stuck to the inside of the radiator cap and all down in the radiator. He suggested that there might be a serious problem with the engine and that it might be all through the cooling system. He said to take it back to the dealership and have them look at it before doing anything else. Has anyone ever seen this before? They also checked the transmission fluid and it smelled burnt and there were some flakes in it (they think might be paint and suggested sanding off the paint on the stick and then oiling it and putting it back in) but put the particles in an envelope for me to take to the dealership. I'm worried!) Joe

Question: 1987 Nissan  Maxima VG30E mileage: 95,000. When overdrive button is on the vehicle will shift in to a locked converter mode after appropriate speed. The problem while driving on interstates that have long down grades is my engine temperature falls, and when you nearly get at the bottom the transmission shifts out of overdrive and causes the vehicles rpms to surge ahead about 700 rpm like you down shifted (actually slows vehicle like you down shifted) and it will not return to normal until you have driven sufficiently to recover some of the engine temperature, the overdrive feature starts working again. Transmission was completely flushed and new oil put in by a machine at a under car facility. Oil is still nice and pink, seems to smell okay. Really ran smooth in the warmer weather. Temperature now that is giving me these troubles is about 28/29 degrees outside.

Answer: The overdrive in your transmission is controlled by a temperature sensor on the engine. If the engine temperature gets too cold, it will drop it out of overdrive. Try replacing the thermostat in your car with a 195 degree one.

Question: 1991 Dodge Shadow Convertible 2.5 L, 4 Cl mileage: 102,650. A couple of days ago I got into my car and after turning on the ignition was unable to shift out of park (I have an automatic). The gear stick slides through all of the gears without doing anything and I am unable to move the car out of my driveway, which makes it difficult to take in for an estimate. Have you ever heard of this problem?

Answer: Without seeing your car, we are guessing that the transmission shift leakage has come off either the transmission or the shift lever inside the car.

Question: 1990 Plymouth Laser 2.0 16v mileage: 138,880. Dear Bob or Ken, Today I took my Laser out to buy a new headlight and about 3 miles from my house the car seemed to have "popped" in Neutral, but the thing was that it was in drive. I stopped and none of the gears did anything, and all it did was rev up when I pressed the gas. There was no abnormal noises or anything. Even when I put into park, it would do nothing at all. I checked it later and realized that when I put it into drive 1 2 or 3 that the speedometer would go up and so would the odometer, same when I put it into reverse. I came to the conclusion that my tranny is still good but the transaxle went bad.... any suggestions?

Answer: Check to see if one or both of the drive axles have slipped out of the transmission.

Question: 1997 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2L V6 mileage: 50,000. I would like to change the automatic transmission fluid in my vehicle (I am familiar with the procedure on older vehicles) but on my Isuzu the transmission is a sealed unit. It has an overfill and drain plug. I drained approximately 3 quarts and filled it with about the same amount through the overfill hole so the best I was able to do was a partial change (total capacity = 9.1qts). I have searched everywhere for information on how to service this type of transmission (4L30-E) to no avail. Regardless of whether or not it is supposed to be serviced at 100,000+ miles I would rather change oil than change a transmission. How do you change the oil on this type of transmission? The service manual I have gives no specifics.

Question: 1997 Chevy/Lumina 3.1 mileage: 73K. Very hard shift (bangs) from 1st to 2nd after driven 40+ miles. I had the trans serviced at about 68K and asked the mechanic to clean the accumulator. (He said the trans was dirty but no other problems.) This did not remedy the problem at all. Bill

Answer: The problem with your transmission is probably due to the fluid pressure control solenoid in the valve body. Replacing it and clearing the codes in the drive train control module should solve the problem.

Question: 89 Buick LeSabre V6-front wheel mileage: 165,000! Getting code 39- TCC- Torque Converter Clutch. Is this a big deal or am I looking at real trouble? Bill

Answer: The torque converter clutch solenoid is probably hanging up. It is located inside the transmission on the valve body. It can be easily accessed by removing the transmission pan.

Question: 1992 Olds/Delta 88 3.8 mileage: 172,000. I have begun to have problems with the transmission (auto 4 speed) on this car in the last 5000 miles. When the car is cold or has sat for over an hour it does not go into gear. I shift the gear lever up through the range of gears and after several minutes, it will engage. Once it is engaged, the car runs fine and shifts throughout its normal range. However several times my wife has come to an intersection to a stop and had the car slip out of gear but then go right back in. I have begun to think it is either a problem with the linkage or the vacuum modulator. Also, the speedometer cable has begun to stick - that is it jumps from 0 mph to 15 mph to 30 mph etc. and does not move smoothly. Ken

Answer: First check the fluid level in the transmission. If it is okay, you may try servicing your transmission (changing the fluid and filter.) If the transmission has not been rebuilt in 172,000, be prepared for the worst.

Question: 1997 Dodge Avenger 4 cylinder mileage: 91,000. I recently encountered a possible automatic transmission problem with my Avenger. While driving on the highway this week, my car went all the way into about second gear. Since then, it will not kick into any gears after that. Reverse works fine. I've taken it to a transmission shop; they drove it around the block and told me I have to replace the whole transmission. I got some advice from a mechanic and he said that it could be major transmission problems, or it can be the emergency computer system in my car, which puts it in a low gear when certain fluids are low so that you don't damage the engine. From our conversation, he said that the Dodges have a computer system that tells the engine to "slow" down when fluid levels or problems arise in the engine. I'm not mechanically inclined and I don't want to get ripped off. If I have to replace the whole transmission, the I will. But if all it needs is its fluids changed, then I don't want to get swindled. I'd appreciate any advice you give me.

Answer: Before you have major transmission repairs done, have the computer scanned for fault codes. We do not know of an emergency computer system that slows the engine down.

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