I've had an 1987 bonneville (3.8) that's been almost not worth the trouble if i didn't love it too much. The problem started when my radiator blew. I replaced it as well as the water pump since the last time the radiator overheated it busted the water pump as well. It drives well for the first week or so but then the automatic transmission would delay in shifting then eventually not shift out of first at all. I changed the filter and gasket after i noticed it leaking a little bit, but it still will not shift out of first. Something else i noticed was that the engine gets unusually hot despite the temperature gauge indicating it's at normal operating temp or even below, but there has been no drastic surges such as when the radiator was bad. I would really appreciate it if anyone could suggest what the problem may be or even a remedy. Thanks, thomas
transmission problems
Sep 12, 2006
7 Replies
OK. The problem (with your car) is you have a transmission that won't shift out of first gear. A secondary problem is that (real or imagined) your engine gets unusually hot even though your most reliable indicator says it doesn't.
The best remedy would be to take it to a trust-worthy mechanic for a proper diagnosis and estimate.
djmaas wrote:
When you Radiator was giving problems before it blew, perhaps your antifreeze was mixing with the transmission oil & did some internal damage.
If your trans has never been rebuilt its possible the end of its life is here, afterall it is 19 years old.
I second the previous posters reply.
Good Luck
harryface
05 Park Avenue 49,009 91 Bonneville 307,322
The dipstick tube seal and the pan gasket are not pressure points. You could drip oil from these points for years and not have a problem as long as the oil level is kept up.
The Valve Body and Torque Converter, I believe are pressurized.
Internal wear from age, heat & mileage wear out gears, clutches, valve and other vital internal parts.
Good Luck
harryface
05 PArk Avenue 49,089 91 Bonneville 307,322The pump pushes pressurized fluid into the valve body which directs it to diferent clutches or bands effectively locking different gear ratios. Trannies usually slip when they are wearing out, or low on fluid.
I remember reading something once about 3.8L tranny's having problems with solinoid (SP?) going bad. It's not an expensive part. It somehow controls shifting etc in the tranny.. You might want to have that looked at.
Geoff Welsh wrote:
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