Ok, I fixed the fan problem, that was the relay. Now I think my Tranny is taking a dump. Here's the symptoms. 1. When cruzing down the highway to work today, my RPMS just seemed to spike randomly, alot. 2. On my way home, when I cam to a stop, pushed the gas, the rpms would shoot up, but hte car would not move, then it would suddenly lurch foward. What the fuc is going on? She;s really pissin me off roght now. What are some things I can check for?

I've never had a tranny die, so I have no idea what is going on, or what to expect.

Could be something simple as low fluid level. What has been done to the car recently? Was anything done that could have changed the TV cable adjustment (ex. removing plenum)? If so the adjusting procedure needs to be done to get the proper tension on the cable

MDv6man covered all of my ideas... when was the last time the fluid was changed? Do you know? What year is the trans?

You've got 2 options if it is the trans... 1, start saving $$, or 2, buy a junkyard trans for a couple hundred. In fact, maybe you could bring it to a trans shop to hear their diagnosis. If the shop allows, you might be able to save some coin by dropping the trans out yourself, and re-installing it yourself. But then again, you wouldn't really need a trans shop at all, then! You might be able to buy a complete rebuilt transmission, and they'll take your old one as a "core charge".

The core is very usable, even if the trans is blown. The planetary gearsets rarely ever break up, and even the case can be used again. There are holding tabs inside the trans case that keep everything locked down; if the tabs snap, the trans shop needs a case from somewhere.

Just to add what Tom said -- when you go to a trans shop, make sure they are members of the local BBB. My wife and I were nearly ripped off by a local Cottman franchise (who was not a member). Our Buick is now going to an independent shop to be rebuilt and upgraded by a BBB member. Too many times these tranny outfits are out to rape the consumer by doing a trans job on a vehicle that may not need it done. I'm out 325 due to having Cottman put it back together. However I'm getting a full rebuild w/upgrades for about 1350-1585. Cottman's estimate was for 1800 -2000 in addition to the 325 take apart fee

Oh yeah, that damned take-apart fee. I remember dropping my car off at Lee Myles for their full inspection. Little did I know they'd rip the trans out and apart! He called me, told me my clutches were fried, accumulator springs broken, etc, and gave me the price of $1300. I told him that I'd think about it. Then he said that if I bring it elsewhere, they'd charge me $300 for the labor they already did, and to put the trans back in the car.

Then the transmission lasted a year and a half.

Not a bad screw job for $1300, eh?

Now you guys are freakin me out.

I checked the fluid level, it seem like it is good.
I have a 91 so I assume the trans is from the same year, it seems to have abotu the same ware as the rest of the car.

I have not done a fluid flush.
I guess I need to check my TV cable. (is that covered in the haynes manual)
I can hear this rattling from my car, it sounds like it's coming from the cat, but maybe it's comming from the trans.

I believe there is a shop here that does flushes for $20.00, plus you need to provide your own filter and gasket if you want them changed, I think I might take them up on that offer...

Any other words of wisdom...

Well if it's a 91 you got the best of the bunch. there were improvements made over the years so each year is a little better. What color is the fluid? Our buick's was red but had a brown tint to it. How does it smell? If it smells like someone was cooking metal in a cauldron, the fluid's burnt up (trust me -- you'll know). How many miles are on the car? I would think a fluid flush and fill with a new gasket couldn't hurt (especially if its been a while). The TV adjustment is covered in the haynes manual but there is a method lurking on the trans board authored by transfixleo. Do a search as his method takes the wear and tear on the tv cable into account. The original method does not.

PS -- If you do have the trans serviced, let me know how they get that gasket to seal. I've changed the one on my 83 and the thing never seals

No Problem, I'll let ya know.
The trans fluid does smell a little funky.
I got about 56,000 on the car.

Here is what is happening.
You have been higher temp in rad, right?
This situation has not helped your trans.
Tranny lines for fluid cooling goes thru that rad, correct?
Heat is the worst thing to a tranny.
AND not changing fluid, either.
I know when my trannys went,
first gear, upshift, NOTHING!!! Rev city no gears.....
Other tranny
3-4 gear hunt.
I changed fluid, filter, put in trans band aid fluid.
Wow works good, I'm lucky
For a few more miles..
I limp to tranny shop in 1-2 only, no 3-4.
MEANING
Start shopping for a tranny shop.
The rebuild kits & Torque convertors go for about $200. Rest is labor.
This is a lousy tranny to remove by yourself.
I just got two trannys done for $600 each.
Worth it.
What else is also worth it is
IF YOU KNOW YOUR TRANNY (you had it rebuilt under your ownership) change fluid/filter every year. MAKE SURE your cooling problem is solved before installing the fresh rebuilt tranny, too.

I know Hawaii is also humid.
That isn't helping your tranny temps if it is aged, not fresh innards/clutches, etc.

PS If the tranny worked right before and it "all the sudden", give in, it's wearing down/ worn down.
Start shopping for the good shops over there.

BUT THE BRIGHT SIDE...
You have the BEST OF THE V-6 TRANNY'S Non-electronic model MADE!!! Like I have the best of the 60* V-6, the 3.4 mills.
I wish I scored `91 trannys for rebuilding....
You are making a wise investment.
You're fortunate. Tranny will be a winner in the end.
Just get a great stock rebuild, you'll be fine.
SHOP around/ASK any Hot Rodders for tranny shop suggestions out there.
Go to car shows and ask the owners or hit the cruise nights.

I'm doing the same thing with a Chrysler 440 mill I have to sell.
I'm asking Chrysler guys at car shows & such... if they know of one interested in it.
Word of mouth advertising is GOLD to a Mechainc....

I've been raped by the tranny shops too.
I took them to court, "won" and still got screwed.
I hope their tranny shop burnt to the ground during the 1992 LA riots. And the shop didn't have insurance.

You should really search the Tranny forum for info on setting the TV cable. Also you could ask over there about what could be wrong. You may not be able to fix the problem yourself but I'm sure that the added info will help prevent a shop ripping you off.

Just my $0.02

Dale

There is a tech article, www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/detent.shtml I used this after I finally got my car on the road. I know I have damaged my tranny when my motor decided to remove the lower radiator hose and blow both head gaskets,and do a whole lot of damage to the heads as well. Before I did the tech article way my car would do similar things as you were describing.

Great, Sounds Lovely

Flip it this way...
Trannys equal two new car payments
Along with new car payments are
full in$$$urance coverage
biggest auto registration bill you may have

Your way it's just a small transmission rebuild dollar bite on a great ride that's an American Classic & will appreciate in value one day.

Now what would you rather invest your money in?

It's just frustrating, Like everything decided to happen at once...

Argggg....
It wasn't good timing...

Always try to insert,
Atleast I'm still around to do this simple battle.
Yeah, it does suck, too.
Been there.
Carry on the best ya should

MD, you mean the trans pan gasket? First step in making sure the thing seals is that the gasket mating surfaces must be absolutely, positively, 100% free of trans fluid!! Any trans fluid on the pan gasket area or the trans case gasket area will cause a leak. Both need to be dry!!

I use a ton of paper towels, and keep wiping the pan gasket surface until it's dry. (You can use a spritz of brake cleaner on a paper towel to wipe the gasket surface, too.) Then I put the gasket on the trans pan, and put the bolts thru the special "smaller" holes to hold the gasket in place. I crawl under the car with the clean pan and dry gasket. Then I start wiping the trans case's gasket surface down. When I get that surface dry, I whip the pan underneath, press it up, and screw in the bolts.

Second step in making sure it seals, buy a Fel-Pro gasket instead of the cheap cork ones. I'm not sure what part # the gasket is for your '83 TH-200C metric trans, but for the 84-92 700r4 automatic trans, the fel pro gasket part # is TOS-18663. You'll find it faster through a "real" auto parts store as opposed to a Pep-Boys or Autozone style store. You can also get it thru Summit if you place an order for a bunch of things, FEL-TOS-18663.

Don't use sealer on the gasket. The sealer can squish out from the gasket surface, break off inside the transmission, and cause trouble (best case = clog filter, worst case = clog a valve or fluid passageway).

Third step? Torque the bolts to the proper spec (a light 12-15 ft/lbs), and tighten them in a criss-cross manner. The exact sequence doesn't matter so much, as long as when you tighten a screw, you tighten another screw on the opposite side of the pan. Never tighten two screws to torque that are next to each other. Build up to the final torque in two steps.

Thanks Tom -- I'll Check it out after my wife gets her car back from the tranny shop (right now the 83's the daily driver for both of us. Once that's done, I'll check this pan thing again (I've been using the rubber pan gaskets from NAPA) along with adapting the later model valve covers to the motor (for the benefits of the baffles)

Hey, SO what should I ask for when I go to the shop for the rebuild. Anything in particular? Should I have them install a shift kit at the same time?

I would like it to be able to support a 3.4 if I decide to drop one in.


I talked to the guys at the Boneyard, and he said I could have any of the 3.4, all accesories included for $650.00. Sweet ehh.

All I've had done are stock rebuilds on 7 vane pumps.
The guy does a few internal tricks to firm up pressure but no shift kit.
Works perfect.
Grab the 3.4 set up & have a blast!
I'm almost ready to install my 3.4 in my Blazer awaiting a few special parts, then, in it goes!