Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Lumina
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 09-27-2016, 08:16 AM   #1
blk95lumina
AF Regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 105
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Hello,
1995 Lumina 3.1L LS

Just this morning when backing out to leave for work, the brake pedal went nearly all the way to the floor in combination w/ a "swish" sound as I pushed it to shift from Park to Reverse. I then shifted to Neutral and could feel the brakes loosing vacuum and had to push the pedal down further, and the idle also briefly revved up to ~1200 RPM. A couple weeks ago I replaced the front brakes along w/ new calipers and lines, so I put the car in park and checked the brake fluid level and it was at the same level as when I topped it off after the brake job. I got back in and drove down the road and the brakes continued to function properly as the day before without any feeling of losing vacuum, so I thought all was good.

However, as I approached 45mph, it would no longer shift to 4th gear. I have read several past threads on here and other forums, and I understand 3/4 going out is a common problem. That said, I was hoping that based on my experiences described above that someone can possibly help provide insight as to whether this most likely indicates an internal transmission problem requiring it to be pulled or something less evasive.

Thanks for your help.
__________________
1995 Lumina LS Sedan 3.1L - 215K mi - Daily Driver
2002 Accord EX Sedan V-6 - 209K mi - Wife's Daily Driver
2000 Silverado LS RCSB 5.3L - 168K mi
blk95lumina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2016, 02:18 PM   #2
blk95lumina
AF Regular
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 105
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Not Locking 4th Gear

So after further driving and closer observation, it seems the problem was Not a missing 4th but rather it was not locking when cruising in 4th. However, I just drove it around and now it is locking. Guess I just assumed it was not hitting 4th b/c I did not see that last little drop in RPM when cruising.

My theory now is that a leaky brake booster may be affecting the shift modulator and causing the shift RPMs and lockup to be just slightly higher than I am accustomed to.

Is this possible or am I headed down the wrong path?

Thanks.
__________________
1995 Lumina LS Sedan 3.1L - 215K mi - Daily Driver
2002 Accord EX Sedan V-6 - 209K mi - Wife's Daily Driver
2000 Silverado LS RCSB 5.3L - 168K mi
blk95lumina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2016, 06:28 PM   #3
Blue Bowtie
Registered Offender
 
Blue Bowtie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Rural
Posts: 6,513
Thanks: 6
Thanked 341 Times in 336 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Could be a modulator issue, a brake pedal switch issue, problems with the center stop lamp, TCC solenoid, or other things. The fact that is is not totally dead (functioning intermittently) is a good thing,

Changing trans oil to Dexron VI might help.
__________________
Permanent seat assignment on the Group W bench...
Automotive Forums Survival Guide
Blue Bowtie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2016, 02:20 PM   #4
Schurkey
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: the Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Posts: 884
Thanks: 12
Thanked 58 Times in 58 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Screw the transmission. FIX THE BRAKES.

There is NO reason for the pedal to drop suddenly unless there's a leak. The leak could be external--fluid dripping off of something. The leak could be internal--fluid bypassing a seal in the master cylinder, for example. There'd be no drips and no loss of fluid in the reservoir with an internal leak.

Master cylinders can leak internally, and be intermittent--they may bypass fluid around a seal occasionally.

Whatever the problem is--master cylinder, ABS system, etc--you need to address the brakes FIRST. It won't matter if the trans has fourth gear or lockup if the car is totaled in a collision because the brakes failed.
__________________
.
.
For the good of the Free World, DEMAND COMPENSATION FROM CHINA for their release of the Virus Originating in the Wuhan Laboratory, released (intentionally or negligently) into the world in 2019 (VOWL-19). Ten trillion to start with, increasing as needed from there, PLUS compensation for the sickened, and "wrongful death" settlements for the families of those who didn't survive. END trade with Communist China.
Schurkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2016, 06:58 PM   #5
Blue Bowtie
Registered Offender
 
Blue Bowtie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Rural
Posts: 6,513
Thanks: 6
Thanked 341 Times in 336 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Shurkey - Did I miss something? I don't read anywhere that the OP mentioned a pedal drop or brake loss, just a possible leak at/in the power booster. I presumed it was a vacuum leak. I guess we need clarification.
__________________
Permanent seat assignment on the Group W bench...
Automotive Forums Survival Guide
Blue Bowtie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2016, 12:30 AM   #6
Schurkey
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: the Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Posts: 884
Thanks: 12
Thanked 58 Times in 58 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie View Post
Shurkey - Did I miss something? I don't read anywhere that the OP mentioned a pedal drop or brake loss, just a possible leak at/in the power booster. I presumed it was a vacuum leak. I guess we need clarification.
Quote:
Originally Posted by blk95lumina View Post
the brake pedal went nearly all the way to the floor in combination w/ a "swish" sound
^^^ That.
__________________
.
.
For the good of the Free World, DEMAND COMPENSATION FROM CHINA for their release of the Virus Originating in the Wuhan Laboratory, released (intentionally or negligently) into the world in 2019 (VOWL-19). Ten trillion to start with, increasing as needed from there, PLUS compensation for the sickened, and "wrongful death" settlements for the families of those who didn't survive. END trade with Communist China.
Schurkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2016, 07:11 AM   #7
Tech II
AF Fanatic
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Posts: 5,017
Thanks: 70
Thanked 618 Times in 610 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Brake leaks don't get better, so I doubt it's a line, wheel cylinder, caliper.....

Chances are it's the M/C......I would be looking for a fluid leak at the back end of the M/C leaving a trail down the booster..
Tech II is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2016, 06:41 PM   #8
Blue Bowtie
Registered Offender
 
Blue Bowtie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Rural
Posts: 6,513
Thanks: 6
Thanked 341 Times in 336 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Oh, I certainly DID miss something!

By all means, address the brake hydraulic problem first, then the trans issue (if it still exists).
__________________
Permanent seat assignment on the Group W bench...
Automotive Forums Survival Guide
Blue Bowtie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2016, 03:22 PM   #9
blk95lumina
AF Regular
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 105
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: 1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Yup, I'm pretty sure it is both an internal leak on the M/C and a leaky booster. It is intermittent but is most noticeable when first starting up. After you press the brakes a few times it works better, probably just means the seals start to half way work. I can actually hear air sucking if I hold the pedal just right.

That said, I want to replace both the master cylinder and booster.

Transmission has been shifting great, so seems it was just a fluke for now.

I'll start a new thread.
__________________
1995 Lumina LS Sedan 3.1L - 215K mi - Daily Driver
2002 Accord EX Sedan V-6 - 209K mi - Wife's Daily Driver
2000 Silverado LS RCSB 5.3L - 168K mi
blk95lumina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 12:54 PM   #10
blk95lumina
AF Regular
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 105
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: [SOLVED]1995 Lumina 3.1L LS - Lost 4th Gear - I know it is common but pls read. Thx.

Been a while but better late than never.
Overdrive would still come and go after replacing the brake booster and master cylinder (which needed to be replaced anyway).



The trans issue was solved by simply replacing the brake light switch and cruise control switch, both located on the brake pedal underneath the dash. Not sure which one was causing the problem but given the parts are cheap and easy to replace I did both at the same time.


Has been over a year now and the trans has not acted up since.
__________________
1995 Lumina LS Sedan 3.1L - 215K mi - Daily Driver
2002 Accord EX Sedan V-6 - 209K mi - Wife's Daily Driver
2000 Silverado LS RCSB 5.3L - 168K mi
blk95lumina is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Lumina

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:21 AM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts