Something wrong with my transmission?

[HeXploiT]

I have a 1996 Buick automatic that has I think been giving me tranny trouble. I will come to a stop on a hill and then hit the gas to go it's like the car is in neutral for a second. It will rev up and then suddenly go into gear at the higher rpm. I have to wait a full second or two before I give it gas after coming to a stop on a downhill or it will do this. Also when I'm on the highway at a certain speed(about 45) the car will start jerking back and forth like it's switching gears up and down.

Can anyone tell me what might be happening here? It's like the tranny isn't shifting very well.

 

[MrWizzard]

EJECT EJECT!

Sounds like the transmission alright. Whats the ODO at?

 

[HeXploiT]

EJECT EJECT!

Sounds like the transmission alright. Whats the ODO at?

The odometer?
Maybe 100,000

 

[fbrdphreak]

Check your fluid level and condition first. It should be pinkish red and fairly translucent. If it's at all dark, smells burnt or has particles in it, you're in trouble. You can try flushing the fluid and refilling, but you will likely need to have it serviced.

If the level is just low and the condition of the fluid is good, a top off might solve your problems. If it does, still arrange for a fluid change to be on the safe side. Also check for leaks under the car. The transmission pan is a fairly large rectangular-ish pan with bolts all around the perimeter. It probably won't have a drain plug - IIRC with those cars you had to just drop the whole pan. Messy!

My family had an early 90's Pontiac minivan and a 95 Grand Prix that both likely used the exact same transmission in your car. Both starting slipping & burning the fluid up around 100K. I think we sold the minivan before the transmission imploded, but the GP's tranny did die. Had it rebuilt and it failed again a year or two later.

I'd suggest carefully choosing a replacement or rebuild service. Get one with a warranty long enough to last you through your ownership of the car.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Definitely sounds like something in the shift mechanism is screwed up; possibly from old or low fluid or it could be that one (or more) of the shift valves is sticking.

Start with a fluid change (NOT a flush) and see if that helps. If not, it's probably rebuild time.

ZV

 

[Gibson486]

Check your fluid level and condition first. It should be pinkish red and fairly translucent. If it's at all dark, smells burnt or has particles in it, you're in trouble. You can try flushing the fluid and refilling, but you will likely need to have it serviced.

If the level is just low and the condition of the fluid is good, a top off might solve your problems. If it does, still arrange for a fluid change to be on the safe side. Also check for leaks under the car. The transmission pan is a fairly large rectangular-ish pan with bolts all around the perimeter. It probably won't have a drain plug - IIRC with those cars you had to just drop the whole pan. Messy!

My family had an early 90's Pontiac minivan and a 95 Grand Prix that both likely used the exact same transmission in your car. Both starting slipping & burning the fluid up around 100K. I think we sold the minivan before the transmission imploded, but the GP's tranny did die. Had it rebuilt and it failed again a year or two later.

I'd suggest carefully choosing a replacement or rebuild service. Get one with a warranty long enough to last you through your ownership of the car.

How dark? Mine was black. It looked like oil. I flushed it....had some problems at first, then it kind of fixed itself. Am I on borrowed time?

 

[jaydee]

What model is it and what engine?

 

[slag]

First off, ALL transmission fluid thats been in a transmission for at least 1000 miles will smell somewhat sweet, be dark red, and thats just how it is. Just by day to day operation of the clutch packs inside the automatic transmission, the fluid will get dark and smell burnt. Its normal and since ATF doesn't get changed but every 50k-100k miles, of course its going to get like that. ATF is designed to get hot and still function, but it does have a life to it which is why its important to change at intervals as noted in your manual.

Its not normal to be pitch black and gritty though so change it if it is. If it has the 4T60E transmission or one similar in it as most early to mid 90's did, its not an unreliable transmission, but not their best either.