Auto Transmission Downshift Issue

To start with, you are describing governor and valve body failures. People who don't get their transmission fluid changed as recommeded (every 30k miles or less) get problems like you have outlined. Pick a transmission shop and make an appointment before the matter gets serious. As is, sounds like a gummed valve body.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I bought the car used, and I'm pretty sure that I had all the fluids changed after I bought it. I've driven it about

Thanks again, Lorraine

To inspect the valve body, the transmission oil pan must be removed and the valve body removed after that. This is not a job for anyone but a dealership or mainstream automatic transmission shop.

So that I'm not put into my grave when they tell me the cost, do you know approximately how much something like that runs? I know that a transmission flush shouldn't cost that much, but it can run into money when they start removing parts.

Thanks, Lorraine

Varies a lot depending one WHO and WHERE. You could always play dumb. Call a dealer and ask the Service Writer what it would cost to clean the valve body in your transmission. When he chokes, tell him your husband told you to ask this question. ;-)

Is the fluid level correct? Check with the parking brake full on, level surface, enine running, fluid hot after moving through all the A/T stick positions ending in Neutral not park.

Is the fluid the correct type? See owners manual possibly Dexron III

Have them drop the pan, clean the magnets, clean or replace the filter(sceen).

I would NOT have them drop the valve body as they won't know where to look for a sticky valve anyway.

If this does't work a transmission flush may help.

Good Luck

Thanks Philip and Marvin for all the help. I called the dealer to find out the prices for everything that you recommended. When I got to the point of asking about cleaning the valve body, he asked me what was wrong with the car. I told him, and he recommended that I have the transmission flush. He said that they would do that first and see what happens from there. So, they did the transmission flush and drained and refilled the differential. Everything is running smoothly again. Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!

Thanks again, Lorraine :o)