2001 Buick Century Rough shifting after driving awhile

Tiny
BACTITECH
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
After driving around town for 10-30 minutes, my smoothly shifting Buick switches to shifting from first/second and second/third jerkily. I also can hear a whiney noise which is not present when I first start the car.

My mechanic changed the transmission fluid last week and cleaned out a filter. It was fine for a couple of days and then started in again.

I first noticed it driving into work, which takes me about 15 minutes. It started it at the ten minute point for no apparent reason. I drove around town today running errands and it did not start it for quite a bit longer. I have seen various suggestions on the internet that include a pressure regulator solenoid, a sticking regulator valve, a bad pressure switch, a computer problem, or wear of internal transmission parts.

I do not want to replace the full transmission as the car is 9 years old and it isn't worth it, but I would like to get a few more months out of the car while I pay off a few other bills. My mechanic (who is very trustworthy) is calling a transmission friend of his, but I would like to see what anyone here thinks. Thanks so much!
Friday, March 12th, 2010 AT 3:47 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Hello .. thanks for the donation .. much appreciated

The whining noise you can hear is the transmission pump working harder .. Without actually breaking down the transmission it is impossible to state for sure waht the problem is .. but it is definately inside the transmission .. possibly seals/valves leaking when fluid gets hot .. the seals could be worn and leaking pressure which cause harsh shifting etc. .. i'm afraid the transmission will need rebuilding or replacing !!

hope this helps


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/266999_AAA2_1046.png

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Friday, March 12th, 2010 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
BACTITECH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
After letting my mechanic know of your diagnosis, I decided to trade in my car. I just bought a 2010 Scion xB. They gave me $2,000 for the Buick on trade-in. I didn't mention the transmission and they didn't ask.

He called me the next day and said I was looking at, minimally, $1,500 to fix the car. I told him I had already traded it in.

Thanks for helping me make a decision. I had pretty much come to the conclusion that my transmission was dying anyway.

I LOVE the Scion. Have a great day!
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Thursday, March 18th, 2010 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
2 LINSEY
  • MECHANIC
  • 287 POSTS
Thank you for using 2CarPros. Com. We appreciate your donation and look forward to helping you in the future.
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Friday, March 19th, 2010 AT 12:02 PM

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