1999 Chevrolet Malibu Goes then Won't?

[Twitchie9]

So this winter, my older, reliable Malibu bagan having this issue. I live in Michigan, so cold winters. I let my car warm up. I put it in gear and it takes off with no issue. The forst time I come to a stop, I can't get it to hardly move more than 2mph for a while. After 10 or so minutes, it starts going again and then doesn't have any issues for the rest of the drive.

Any ideas?

[Tech II]

Chances are you have a 4T40 tranny with no dipstick.....know how to check the fluid level?

[Twitchie9]

Originally Posted by Tech II

Chances are you have a 4T40 tranny with no dipstick.....know how to check the fluid level?

You are correct. I do not know how to check the level without the dipstick. All the cars I've ever owned had a dipstick that I would top the level off right through the dipstick tube. No dashboard indicator has lit up saying I needed it - then again, there may not be an indicator for it either.

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by Twitchie9

You are correct. I do not know how to check the level without the dipstick. All the cars I've ever owned had a dipstick that I would top the level off right through the dipstick tube. No dashboard indicator has lit up saying I needed it - then again, there may not be an indicator for it either.

I purchased a transmission pan gasket. The man at Auto Zone said to add the amount of fluid needed I did this and it worked fine.

[Tech II]

To check the fluid level:

Get vehicle to normal operating temp(this should bring the transmission fluid to normal temp also)...park on level surface.....shift the tranny, manually through all the gears.......

Now find the 11mm fluid level plug.....facing the tranny where the passenger side axle comes out of the tranny, just to the right of the axle opening and about a couple of inches above the pan is the 11mm level bolt.....

The engine MUST BE RUNNING AND THE TRANNY IN PARK.....remove the 11mm bolt......fluid should just trickle out of the bottom of the hole....if it doesn't, on the top of the tranny on the driver's side, is either a large red or black cap.....remove and add fluid in small increments......add a little and then check the hole.....if nothing comes out in 10 seconds, add some more......when fluid finally trickles out, reinstall the plug and install the fil cap......

CAUTION: When removing that bolt, the exhaust is nearby and is hot.....also, that serp belt is rotating also.......

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by Tech II

To check the fluid level:

Get vehicle to normal operating temp(this should bring the transmission fluid to normal temp also)...park on level surface.....shift the tranny, manually through all the gears.......

Now find the 11mm fluid level plug.....facing the tranny where the passenger side axle comes out of the tranny, just to the right of the axle opening and about a couple of inches above the pan is the 11mm level bolt.....

The engine MUST BE RUNNING AND THE TRANNY IN PARK.....remove the 11mm bolt......fluid should just trickle out of the bottom of the hole....if it doesn't, on the top of the tranny on the driver's side, is either a large red or black cap.....remove and add fluid in small increments......add a little and then check the hole.....if nothing comes out in 10 seconds, add some more......when fluid finally trickles out, reinstall the plug and install the fil cap......

CAUTION: When removing that bolt, the exhaust is nearby and is hot.....also, that serp belt is rotating also.......

Also, don't shut the car off with that plug removed, or you'll loose a lot of fluid and have to start all over.

[Tech II]

Correcto-mondo!