Thread: Hey, where'd my 3rd gear go?

Hi all. My 2000 GPSE trans has been whining for years (198,000mi). Just kinda thought that was normal. Trans has always shifted fine, though a little soft for my taste. But . . . . . last week 3rd gear went away. Now it shifts normal through 2nd and at about 35mph where 3rd used to slide in it just starts whining like a turbine til I get up to about 45mph and it shifts normal into 4th and the whining stops. I'm not sure, but I think load downshifts throw me back to 2nd instead of third. Where did my 3 gear go? Any chance I can get it back home? I'm startin' to miss it.


big jim


NOTHING drives like a Pontiac!

sounds like time for a rebuild, especially with the miles you have (I'm on my 3rd trans with 145000)

You got some good miles out of your factory unit, but it sounds like it's time to decide if you want to keep this car for a while or spend some money. That sounded repetitive didn't it?

ya know, they used to say that sawdust in a trans will quiet it right up!




naw, really that's not so good.

Thanks to all who responded. My mechanic agreed with several of you that my trans had given me about all it could be expected to. I had him check the engine over and it still looked pretty good but he is putting in intake & valve cover gaskets. We decided a used trans (found one with 37000mi ) would probably outlast this engine & be much cheaper than a complete rebuild. When I pick it up tomorrow it should be in pretty good shape for a good while (knock on wood).



NOTHING drives like a Pontiac !!!