OOPS! I think I broke it.

The car: 93 TransAM, 350 w/ auto, pure stock, I think, except for the Granitelli brace between the shock towers that makes getting to anything a real pain.

The problem: After an exuberant, no-tire-smoke-roll-on-to-full-throttle ride to 5000rpm, I let off just as the trans was about to shift to second. About 10 minutes later, I am rolling with the cruise control set at 60 loving life. I start up a gentle grade and begin losing speed. Instinctively, I go for the gas and it is already floored by the cruise!

Uh oh.

She starts and idles fine, revs up ok in park but has NO power. Parking lot speeds is about her best. There is a funny buzzing sound coming from the area of the engine/transmission interface on the passenger side. It speeds up with the rpm. The car just won't go! Put her in gear, mash the gas and little happens. The engine doesnt rev up high, like the trans is slipping. Put it in park and it revs fine.

I don't understand it and it sounds expensive. Where would you start looking?

Glenn

I don't understand it and it sounds expensive. Where would you start looking?

I'm no mechanic but I would something in the tranny gave. Can you force it to shift into 1,2,D? It could feel gutless because its sitting in OD all the time. Are there any leaks under the car?

If dad was here I'd ask him, so if no one offers a good answer by 6:00 I should be able to help more.

Could be but that doesn't explain why it wouldn't pull a slight grade without losing speed from 60mph. OD at 60 should be OK.

No puddles under it.

Any other ideas?

Glenn

maybe you broke a gear in your tranny or maybe you broke your torque converter

Sounds like the torque converter... check the fluid level of your tranny, also make a visual inspection of it to see if there are any leaks.

It might be a vacuum hose that blew off... I doubt it though.

Hopefully its nothing too terribly expensive...

I thought of the torque converter too but.....if that broke wouldnt the engine act pretty much like it was in neutral all the time? At least, that is how I envision a torque converter failure acting. I have never had one fail on me so I am speaking from complete ignorance.

Maybe I'll just jerk the whole drive train and go through the whole mess, engine and all. I am told there are a number of bolt in upgrades to that trans that help a lot of marginal design problems. Then I could go ahead and soup the motor a little too. Never done that to a computer controlled engine before. Im a pretty old wrench and these new fangled engines are somewhat mysterious to me. You got any sources for info on mild upgrades? Maybe a new chip?

Gotta look for the silver lining. Even if it is going to cost me some silver.

Thanks.

well if you going to pull it and build a bit of an engine up your most likely going to put a new torque converter in.

a new chip would help, if your car has tcs you wanna turn it off

and for minor upgrades do your full exhaust headers and all that

and maybe a cam if you want to get into it. as for where to get info i dont know just post on here and get some tips and feed back

OK, you used a term I am not familiar with. What is TCS and how would I know if I have it or not?

TCS - Traction Control System

Try taking it to a transmission shop for a free diagnosis. At least you may find out what you are up against. Get a second opinion of course.

One GM TSB for your transmission had to do with a pressure regulator valve:

http://www.ultrahost.ca/tj/info.gif

i was doing a burn out in my firebird one time and later i was doing like 55 and i heard a grinding,buzzing....so i pulled over and it went faster with the revs turns out it was the AC turned it off and was back on my way but it costed $700 to fix the AC....no slowing problems though
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