89 firebird 2.8 tranny didn't show any signs of problems, but all of a sudden when the car is put in gear it doesn't want to go anywhere, feels like it's holding back or struggling to pick up speed, acceleration is non existant. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

How is the engine tune, for one, and have you checked the fluid, for 2? Is this problem in any gear or just a certain gear? Have you tried Manual First or Second to get moving?

 

engine tuning was good, still had a little bit of eratic idle but ran good when accelerating, smells like its running rich. The fluid level is good, but its not pink but doesn't smell burnt. The problem is in all gears and also when manually shifted. Tried adjusting the Throttle Control valve, wondering if it could be the governing gear.

 

When was the last time the filter was changed ? I have seen a car not move at all with a dirty filter and that can cause the trans to kill its self .

 

it's my sons car, he bought it bout a year ago, car seems like it sat for a long while. I did a full tune up for him, brakes, injector harness replaced, but the tranny was never touched, probably original.

 

How many miles are on the odometer? Did the engine appear as though it had been abused at some point? Exactly what color is the ATF? It's supposed to be blood red. Brownish fluid is a sign of trans abuse and overheating. Pull the pan and change the filter, and note how much metal there is on the magnet in the bottom of the pan.

:edit: The governor could possibly be sticking, depending on how long the car sat. But, you would need to remove the pan and drop the tail of the trans just to get at the cover.

 

Odometer has 72K, trans fluid is a weird color or lack of color. It seems transparent. it ran and drove fine for 2 years, no signs of slippage or any other problems, then one day this problem started.

 

You'll probably want to have the trans flushed... Sounds like someone put brake fluid or something in there that isn't doing what it's supposed to do. All the ATF I've ever heard of is either blood red or purple (synthetic). You could pull the pan and change the filter and fluid, but then you'll still have 2/3 of whatever fluid that is in the torque converter, which can only be drained by removal or flushing, which is why I recommend the flush. You can still have it done, since most shops won't touch a trans that has more than 100K on the clock.

ATF is not only a hydraulic actuator fluid or an oil, it's also a friction modifier for the clutch packs, especially the newest fluids. Have the trans flushed and fill it with Dexron IV/V/VI or whatever the newest stuff is.

 

I agree change the fluid , flush the lines and cooler , and see if the convertor has a drian on it . Some convertors have a drain plug .