Thread: Trans acting up...advice on my next move..

Well my car has 99,000 , the person before me i'm sure didn't service the trans. The fluid was a light brown...looked like clean motor oil, not burnt or black or anything.

Once it warms up, It slips from first gear, and it will start to make a howling noise. Only when warm though. Once past 20 mph it rides fine. from reading around I'm sure its the trans pump.

I changed the filter and fluid with the new vi fluid and maybe made the howling noise louder. It defiantly didn't make he shifting better or worse.

What should my next step be , I hope to get as many miles out the trans as possible.

Should I drop pan and change filter and fluid again an add bottle Lucas..... Or just add it to the fluid I have in there now.

Should I go back to the older fluid?

I would drain a quart of the new fluid out and add the entire bottle of Lucas to it and keep your fingers crossed. Since you just changed the fluid/filter there's no need to do it again if it's on it's way out. Would just be a waste of $$. Might be a good time to start looking at Craigslist or car-part.com for a used trans. if it's getting too bad.

Originally Posted by FordMan77

I would drain a quart of the new fluid out and add the entire bottle of Lucas to it and keep your fingers crossed. Since you just changed the fluid/filter there's no need to do it again if it's on it's way out. Would just be a waste of $$. Might be a good time to start looking at Craigslist or car-part.com for a used trans. if it's getting too bad.

When I get used trans, is it any parts in the trans, that should be replaced before installed?

Sorry 01 Grand Prix 3800 Non supercharged.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

The main items to change out on a used trans w/o rebuilding are:
EPC/PCS this is the pressure control soleniod. Common cause of the P1811 code
4th Clutch hub shaft. Common cause of losing 4th gear

That takes care of the relatively easy and quick things.

On the current transmission, did the filter fit snugly in the collar? If it was loose you might get some leakage etc that could cause some of this. Did these symptoms exist before you serviced the trans?

OK thanks..and to tell you the truth I ended up using the filter gasket from the old filter in the shaft,but i think it did get in securely. (I might have to go back in)


It seems to howl more now then before,maybe its just me paying more attention. But the shifting is exactly the same before and now.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

it says to reuse in the directions..as long as it's snug. It also says to reuse the factory ribbed pan gasket. Cause we all know..ribbed is better.

Indeed lol.... I guess Ill try a bottle of lucas...and see what happens..Thanks

Maybe flexplate since you will be in there anyway. Save you stress if it goes out, the noise i heard from it had my head spinning lol. Like 68 dollars at the dealership.

Update! Just left trans shop.. Code p1811...

They recommend a rebuild for $1600.00.. 2 year 24,000 mile warranty. With all the updated sensors tsb's etc.( very reputable shop) But not looking to spend that amount, NOT RIGHT NOW.
900.00 at another shop but only 6 month warranty. As far as just getting the sensor changed, I wouldn't pay someone $600 plus dollars to just change the solenoid for it to go out again soon, and not knowing the condition of the rest of the trans.



I was looking into installing a transgo sk4t65e shift kit or just simply scuffing up the accumulator walls I heard that helps..
I'm putting in half a bottle of trans tune now driving a few hundred miles..and change it trying to decide on the shift kit before I drop the pan.
Then going back to (dex 3 over vi kinda flip of a coin) I hear alot of back and fourth with the fluids.
A bottle of lucas... and... I hope that does the trick.....

Thanks

Originally Posted by chevy350

Update! Just left trans shop.. Code p1811...

I was looking into installing a transgo sk4t65e shift kit or just simply scuffing up the accumulator walls I heard that helps..
I'm putting in half a bottle of trans tune now driving a few hundred miles..and change it trying to decide on the shift kit before I drop the pan.
Then going back to (dex 3 over vi kinda flip of a coin) I hear alot of back and fourth with the fluids.
A bottle of lucas... and... I hope that does the trick.....

Thanks

Wow... yeah seems pretty common in these cars.. I love the motor in these cars though, they have there gasket problems though. Try the shift kit its worth a try.

I't affects these vehicles.



Models:
1997-1999 Buick Riviera
1997-2002 Buick Park Avenue
1998-2002 Buick LeSabre
1999-2002 Buick Regal
2000-2002 Buick Century
2002 Buick Rendezvous
1997-2001 Chevrolet Lumina
1997-2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
1999-2002 Chevrolet Venture
2000-2002 Chevrolet Impala
1997-1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
1997-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2001-2002 Oldsmobile Aurora (3.5L)
1997-2002 Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix
1999-2002 Pontiac Transport/Montana
2001-2002 Pontiac Aztek
with Hydra-Matic 4T65-E (RPOs MN3, MN7, M15, M76)
Condition:
Some owners of the above vehicles with a HydraMatic 4T65-E transaxle may comment on harsh upshifts or harsh garage shifts, soft shifts, shudders on hard acceleration, or shifts erratic. These conditions may appear intermittently or set a DTC P1811 or P0748. During diagnosis, a low or high line pressure (actual versus desired) may be observed.
Cause:
The above condition may be due to any one of the following which may affect line pressure output:

• Sediment inside the pressure control (PC) solenoid valve, causing the PC solenoid valve to mechanically bind.
• Sediment in the valve body, causing the torque signal regulator valve to stick.
• Incorrect transaxle oil level.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

A lot of guys use a shift kit and a bottle of Lucas. It seems to help tremendously for that code and issue.

I sure hope so..

Oh thanks for the info..I like these cars and the motors also. My next car I'm trying to get is, one with the series 3 in it.