1988 Pontiac Firebird TRANSMISSION FAILURE

1988 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
56,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WYKEDHELLFIRE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi-

I have a 1988 Pontiac Firebird with 56,000 original miles.

The transmission started slipping and now it won't go into 3rd gear at all. The car had been sitting for quite awhile until recently, approximately 2 weeks ago.

Is there any chance that a flush and/or filter change may remedy the situation or is the transmission shot?

Hard to find reliable repair places where I live so I'm leary of trusting them. They would tell anyone anything is beyond help.

Would appreciate any information you can give.

Thank you very much!!
May 29, 2008 at 6:51 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 8,548 POSTS
80's GM cars used a "kickdown" or "Throttle Valve" cable to control hydraulic pressure in the transmission.
Look for a cable connected to the throttle body cam that goes to the transmission.
If it is broke,bent,kinked, it is more that likely the transmission will need to be rebuilt.
If the cable is intact and works, then you can try changing the fluid/filter, but once they start slipping it is usually too late.
May 30, 2008 at 4:33 AM