For the past couple of months, I started to realize that the transmission on my '92 Park Ave was not acting as I thought it should. It seemed to be shifting only twice, i.e. if I was at a toll booth and going to 65mph, it would shift once, then twice and that's it. I think it was never starting in first as the rpms would be less than 3K at 70, which had to be 4th gear I would think. So anyway, finally it starts to shift erratically, and I check the fluid and its real low, so I top it off and it goes back to normal, but still just two shifting. Then the other day it started acting erratic again and the fluid was low again, so I topped it off again. The area where the metal cooling lines go by the ac compressor just before they enter the radiator is very wet looking and I'm wondering if one of the lines has rusted and is seeping fluid. Well, I had to go into the city today and going down was fine, 80 the whole way. But when I checked the fluid in the city, it was low again and I topped off again. On my way back upstate, problems. It staying in third (I think it was third). I had to drive 60 the whole way at about 3500 rpms. Trying to hit 70 brought me to 4000 rpms. I topped off the fluid halfway, too, but no change. When I got off the thruway, it started to not even go into gear. I was going 15-25 mph and spiking to 5K, then it caught. Another thing I noticed on the while on the thruway was if I let off the gas, the tack immediately dropped all the way down to 1000 or just below, stayed there for a second, then would bounce back up to 1500, all while my foot was off the gas. And this is a rebuilt transmission put in 3-4 years ago with probably less than 30K miles on it. Does it sound like its toast? I don't know what to do know with it, I have it parked at the supermarket where I work.
Zach, That's a pretty big leak, something that would leave a puddle that you would notice. I believe that transaxle uses a vacuum modulator. If it does, it is visible in the engine compartment. Remove it. If you find fluid on the vacuum side, it's toast, and there is where your fluid is going.
Had you never noticed the rpms at highway speed when it was working well? I drove my parent's 92 PA this past weekend and 70mph was about 2200 rpm, maybe even a tad lower. You were not in 4th.
I agree, my Riviera ia 1998. Granted, I have a different trans, but 60 MPH is about 1600 RPM, 70 is about 1800, and 80 is about 2000 RPM. Sounds like it isn't shifting, or slipping badly.
I think its toast, too. Went down today, took off the vacuum hose and it was dry. Drove car out of parking spot and backed up maybe a hundred feet and put it in gear and nothing, just freewheeling. Put it back in reverse, then back in gear, felt it engage and slowly let off the brake and gave light gas and it moved, but felt like it was starting in third and was able to put it back in the parking spot. What should it cost me to have that rebuilt? I'm almost wondering if I should just part the thing out on ebay, but I would hate to do that.
$1000-1800 depending on who builds it and the warranty. 1992 was the last year of the 440T4. GM went electric in 1993. John
Take a look at this ebay link. Ebay link I'm waiting for reply on whether they are used or rebuilt, but that sure seems like a good price and they have a 100% feedback rating. What do you think the labor would be to just do a complete swap, $200-300 maybe?
Your car may have a 4T60E in it. That ad sounds like a core, not a good used tranny. Book time is 7.2 hours to R&R trans. HTH John
Yeah, the guy responded that they are rebuildable units. He takes them apart and checks all the parts and ships it in three boxes. I might have to just take it off the road for awhile and save up. I had one guy tell me to add sawdust, anyone ever hear of that trick?
Yeah, I've heard of used car dealers doing it to get a car with a bad transmission off the lot (as in, sold to unsuspecting buyer). I doubt it is very good for the trans in the long run...
