Thread: Problem on takeoff and no O/D

Ok. So I went to the DMV to get my buddy his ID, on the way there no problems. The moment we start the car and leave, the car takes off like it's using the 2nd Gear Start switch, but the switch is off. RPM kicks REAL high before the car starts rolling very SLOWLY. However, manually shifting to 1st somewhat solves the problem for takeoff. It moves better, but not like it should. At about 55-60, RPM stays at a steady 2.8-3k. Car has 230k miles on it. Trans hasn't been serviced in about 2 yrs, (that I know of). When I noticed the problem and pulled over immediately and checked the trans fluid. The dipstick read overfull and slightly bubbly (not completely foamy). I've had two people give their opinions, first was torque converter. Second was pump. Any ideas? Any and all solutions are welcomed and appreciated.

is the cel on? if so get it scanned.

this in no way sounds like a trans problem, could be a bad maf or dirty throttle body.

and the missing 4 th in only in the post title?

Yes the cel light is on. Its been on since I had the car, throwing an egr code. I'm gonna have my buddy use his scanner to see if it throws another. Just haven't gotten to it yet. If I understand the last question correctly, then yes, its missing 4th. Will not shift into 4th. Stays in 3rd and at about 60mph the rpm stays at 3k never shifts again.

When you checked the fluid, the engine was running?
Was the fluid at the correct level before?

Check fuses for the transmission. Kinda sounds like your power to the solenoids is missing.

Yes, the engine was running and warm at 195. I didn't cycle the gears like we did on my buddy's cavalier, wasn't sure if that was the same case in this trans. And yes, the fluid level was where it should be prior to this incident. As soon as I get off work ill check them fuses and plug her into the computer and see what codes I get. Thanks for the quick and great replies.

Ok, I realize this is two months old, but Bill, you are the man. The car is still down and torn apart in the garage, but almost done. The tcc fuse kept blowing. The scanner read solenoids 1 and 2 were bad. Seeing as the tcc fuse kept blowing I got the tcc solenoid and the lockup solenoid. Once I got inside, I pulled the shift solenoids and noticed one was cracked, as was the lockup. When I pulled the tcc the electrical connector on it nearly fell off in my hand. So, I think I found my problem thanks to you. However, I ran into another. I'm broke and can only afford the two shift solenoids and trans fluid to finish the job. At a local O'Reily's they have a cork gasket and I've been told to stay away from it. The gasket from the dealer is the same one on the car, but runs over 120 bucks. Can I reuse the old one? It looks great and no signs of dry rot or damage at all. I was also told silicon was bad due to it seaping into the valve body. And autozone nor advance list this gasket as an existing part. It'd be awesome if I could save some money and use the old one.

I thought the 60 had some gasket around the drivers axle that had to be replaced and I've seen no issue with the cork there. I'd go cork if that's all you can do.

Yes, there is a black rubber ring surrounding the hole in the side cover where the axle goes into. That is also a cork replacement, which had me skeptical about about using that gasket set. But I will give it a try. Thanks again, man. I can't wait to have my gp back.

Update on the gp. She's put back together and is now shifting flawlessly. Used to shift a little hard, but it smoothed out nicely. That cork gasket didn't come in the same day as the other two solenoids, but I spoke to my mechanic and he handed me a tube of atf-rtv silicon and said to put it on the side cover only, let is sit for 10 mins and place the old gasket in place. I did what he told me and the old gasket works awesome. Not a drop is leaking. Thanks for the help. So if you haven't used the atf-rtv silicon on transmission gaskets, its not a bad idea, and won't harm the valve body.