Transmission Problems

1994 Oldsmobile 88..Transmission acting very strange. Sometimes – it operates just fine – proper shift points and all. Other times the symptoms can vary from any of the following:

- Driving along the tranny will seem to shift into neutral. Only thing that reorients the tranny is to completely let off the gas and slow down. The tranny will then lurch forward so I’ll know its engaged.
- Sometimes sitting at a stop light the tranny will lurch forward for no reason. At other times at a stop light it will feel like the tranny is searching for gears.
- Sometimes it won’t want to shift out of a gear. Usually 1st gear.

It can do all - or none of those things on a short drive – then all of a sudden start acting perfectly normal.

Also – these symptoms appear to be worse after it rains and the car gets a good soaking underneath. It’s almost predictable for things to be worse when it rains – but it can also act up when its bone dry out.

Anybody have an idea of what the problem may be here ??

There was a TSB out there for a "Phantom Neutral" concern...perhaps someone can print it for you.....

Anytime you have problems when it rains, sure sounds like a wiring problem.....check the harness to the P/N switch and the harness to the tranny.....look for loose female connectors or corrosion.....

Being a '94, it could be one of those transition years, where regular code readers can't read codes on this car......

Thanks Tech II. I was thinking the same thing as well. Replaced the speed sensor a while back and made no difference. Is there something like a "shift position sensor" on this car ?? Could the computer be any cause of this problem ??