Transmission problem - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MSD · 09-27-2003, 08:38 AM

1997 Buick Century Custom, 4 door
3.1L Engine, 4sp auto transmission
No modifications other than a couple of accent lights (w/ fuses) wired to the cigarette lighter circuit.

Now that this has happened three times, I'm starting to worry. I was driving normally, and while accelerating heavily, the transmission shifted itself into neutral, and wouldn't shift back until I let off the gas completely and shifted from drive to neutral and back.

I checked my transmission fluid, and it's brown. I'm going to change it this weekend. Could that be what's causing the problem?

It's happened three times over a span of 6 months.

Sion · 09-27-2003, 09:24 AM

do a fluid and filter change. monitor the color of the fluid. if, within the next 3-6 months, the fluid color changes to brown again, you have a VERY serious tranny problem. seek professional tranny help.

OR, seek professional tranny help now. either way, it sounds like a bad tranny.

side note:

how many miles? ever had the tranny serviced in any way?

as it says in the sticky note at the top of the forum: MORE INFO please. always give AS MUCH INFO as possible.

Peryn · 09-27-2003, 11:46 AM

While i dont have a definitave answer on this, just some knowledge of auto transmissions, it sounds like you either have a solenoid thats going or you have some posssibly serious internal problems. I reccommend heading to a tranny shop, but you might want to wait until it happens more frequently. Its hard to diagnose a problem if you cant see it happen. That being said, it should be pretty cheap for a shop to hook it up and test the various shift solenoids. I would think this, because when you move the column, you are actually moving valves in the transmission and forcing it to get back in gear. The solenoids responsible for the shifting of gears might be malfunctionning and not shifting you occasionally.

Sounds like another possibilty would be something internal sticking. Like a check ball not seating properly or a Band or clutch stickin on something and not grabbing. A decent fluid flush and filter change very well might fix it if this is the case. If it isn't electrical and this doesn't work, you'll probably have to end up having somebody take apart your transmission to fix it. Expect $300 + if they have to drop the transmission out.

Anyway, i would say change the fluids and then wait. if it happens, drive it for a while and see if it happens more frequently. Once it is happenning a lot then you could take it in and have somebody look at it.

Lyaec123 · 09-27-2003, 12:52 PM

IT is also possible that you are having problems with the adjustment of the shift cable. There should be a way to tigheten it up or loosen it, but I've never actually done this, as I think it's a pretty finnicky adjustment. More than likely though changing the fluid won't help much unless you are really low on fluid or something. Usually what happens is the tranny starts to die, causing the fluid to miscolor and burn, so changing it will help in the short term, but in the long term your tranny will probably go fairly soon :-/ My motto is fuck slush boxes, auto trannies accross the board seem to be the biggest problem in most of today's cars. You can keep an engine alive for multiple hundreds of miles with frequent oil changes and a good air filter, but trannies seem to like to die whenever they feel like it. Sucks :-/

MSD · 09-27-2003, 02:25 PM

That's what I forgot, I should have mentioned that it has 78,700 miles on it, and it has had fluid replaced at 30k miles. Regular oil changes, and the only major problem I've had was a seal dying between the radiator and engine (I forget what specific part it was.) If my transmission dies, I'm thinking about putting in a manual, and my uncle has a friend with a full mechanic's garage complete with lift at his house, so he can change it, even if it is just an identical replacement.

I just checkded the fluid and not only is it brown, it smells like ass.

Sion · 09-27-2003, 06:34 PM

"I just checkded the fluid and not only is it brown, it smells like ass."

aha. why didnt you say so in the first place. it is now obvious that your tranny has a bad case of hemmoroids.

ok, seriously now, does the fluid smell burnt? that smell is usually associated with the brown color and is usually a sign that the tranny is about to die. but Im no tranny expert, which is why I suggest taking it to someone who is.

m5man · 09-27-2003, 09:08 PM

Change the fluid and filter,adding K&W TRANS-X (1 qt) to remove varnish and soften seals. Do not overfill your trans.

Peryn · 09-28-2003, 09:15 AM

Hmm....i think ATF smells kinda good, so if it smells like ass chances are that is it burnt. Or maybe i just like ATF smell more than most.

etardedraverboy · 10-02-2003, 06:30 PM

get the tranny power flushed if your gunna change the fluid cuzz if you dont you will still have the burnt fluid in the torque converter

tangledweb · 10-05-2003, 06:11 PM

It sounds like you need a rebuild of the transmission more than a fluid change. On many cars, the transmission filter is actually inside the tranny. What I mean by that is that changing the filter would still require dropping the transmission down to do so.

My experience with transmissions says that you could spend a lot of money flushing, changing fluid, etc. and still wind up needing a rebuild (which will require changing it again) With about 80K on the car, it might be smarter to just go ahead and do the rebuild.

Your mileage may vary, void where prohibited.

09-27-2003, 08:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Transmission problem 1997 Buick Century Custom, 4 door 3.1L Engine, 4sp auto transmission No modifications other than a couple of accent lights (w/ fuses) wired to the cigarette lighter circuit. Now that this has happened three times, I'm starting to worry. I was driving normally, and while accelerating heavily, the transmission shifted itself into neutral, and wouldn't shift back until I let off the gas completely and shifted from drive to neutral and back. I checked my transmission fluid, and it's brown. I'm going to change it this weekend. Could that be what's causing the problem? It's happened three times over a span of 6 months.

09-27-2003, 09:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	do a fluid and filter change. monitor the color of the fluid. if, within the next 3-6 months, the fluid color changes to brown again, you have a VERY serious tranny problem. seek professional tranny help. OR, seek professional tranny help now. either way, it sounds like a bad tranny. side note: how many miles? ever had the tranny serviced in any way? as it says in the sticky note at the top of the forum: MORE INFO please. always give AS MUCH INFO as possible. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

09-27-2003, 11:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	While i dont have a definitave answer on this, just some knowledge of auto transmissions, it sounds like you either have a solenoid thats going or you have some posssibly serious internal problems. I reccommend heading to a tranny shop, but you might want to wait until it happens more frequently. Its hard to diagnose a problem if you cant see it happen. That being said, it should be pretty cheap for a shop to hook it up and test the various shift solenoids. I would think this, because when you move the column, you are actually moving valves in the transmission and forcing it to get back in gear. The solenoids responsible for the shifting of gears might be malfunctionning and not shifting you occasionally. Sounds like another possibilty would be something internal sticking. Like a check ball not seating properly or a Band or clutch stickin on something and not grabbing. A decent fluid flush and filter change very well might fix it if this is the case. If it isn't electrical and this doesn't work, you'll probably have to end up having somebody take apart your transmission to fix it. Expect $300 + if they have to drop the transmission out. Anyway, i would say change the fluids and then wait. if it happens, drive it for a while and see if it happens more frequently. Once it is happenning a lot then you could take it in and have somebody look at it. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

09-27-2003, 06:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	"I just checkded the fluid and not only is it brown, it smells like ass." aha. why didnt you say so in the first place. it is now obvious that your tranny has a bad case of hemmoroids. ok, seriously now, does the fluid smell burnt? that smell is usually associated with the brown color and is usually a sign that the tranny is about to die. but Im no tranny expert, which is why I suggest taking it to someone who is. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

09-28-2003, 09:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	Hmm....i think ATF smells kinda good, so if it smells like ass chances are that is it burnt. Or maybe i just like ATF smell more than most. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

09-27-2003, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lyaec123 Crazy	IT is also possible that you are having problems with the adjustment of the shift cable. There should be a way to tigheten it up or loosen it, but I've never actually done this, as I think it's a pretty finnicky adjustment. More than likely though changing the fluid won't help much unless you are really low on fluid or something. Usually what happens is the tranny starts to die, causing the fluid to miscolor and burn, so changing it will help in the short term, but in the long term your tranny will probably go fairly soon :-/ My motto is fuck slush boxes, auto trannies accross the board seem to be the biggest problem in most of today's cars. You can keep an engine alive for multiple hundreds of miles with frequent oil changes and a good air filter, but trannies seem to like to die whenever they feel like it. Sucks :-/

09-27-2003, 02:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	That's what I forgot, I should have mentioned that it has 78,700 miles on it, and it has had fluid replaced at 30k miles. Regular oil changes, and the only major problem I've had was a seal dying between the radiator and engine (I forget what specific part it was.) If my transmission dies, I'm thinking about putting in a manual, and my uncle has a friend with a full mechanic's garage complete with lift at his house, so he can change it, even if it is just an identical replacement. I just checkded the fluid and not only is it brown, it smells like ass.

09-27-2003, 09:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
m5man Tilted	Change the fluid and filter,adding K&W TRANS-X (1 qt) to remove varnish and soften seals. Do not overfill your trans.

10-02-2003, 06:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
etardedraverboy Insane Location: portland the land of liquid sun shine	get the tranny power flushed if your gunna change the fluid cuzz if you dont you will still have the burnt fluid in the torque converter __________________ vvvvvvvvrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooooooooooooommmmmm

10-05-2003, 06:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
tangledweb slightly impaired Location: Down South	It sounds like you need a rebuild of the transmission more than a fluid change. On many cars, the transmission filter is actually inside the tranny. What I mean by that is that changing the filter would still require dropping the transmission down to do so. My experience with transmissions says that you could spend a lot of money flushing, changing fluid, etc. and still wind up needing a rebuild (which will require changing it again) With about 80K on the car, it might be smarter to just go ahead and do the rebuild. Your mileage may vary, void where prohibited.