1997 Lumina tranny gone

I have a quick question. My car now has 114,000km's on it and the tranny is now shot. I never changed the transmission fluid or filter could this be the problem. I also don't have the manual anymore when should I have done this according to the manual? Thanks.

Changing it now won't help you. They used to say every 25 or 30 thousand I think. I just changed mine last summer for the first time at 114,000, but it was fine. You sure it's not something simple? Is the fluid all burnt up?

Miles, not KM on mine. So you got what, 75,000 miles or something? Shouldn't be ruined, unless it got really abused or run outta fluid.

I have an extended warranty on the transmission but the company i have it through does not want to cover it. They say I didn't follow regular maintainance on it. Does anyone know according to the manual exactly when you are supposed to change the transmission fluid? Thanks.

Verbatim to the owner's manual, the interval is as follows:
"50,000 Miles (83,000 km)
Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainy driven under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside tempurature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles (166,000 km)."

You might be able to claim your car isn't driven under the above conditions, but otherwise you'll have some fun arguing to do.

If the transmission quit suddenly, I am pretty sure you have a destroyed reverse reaction drum (stove Pipe). It is called a stove pipe by some rebuilders because it looks like one. The problem that I have seen on a lot of these transmissions is the stove pipe flares out. The new replacement part is made of harder metal. It won't wear out as fast. Get yourself a transmission manual and look at the parts description and breakdown pictures. It is not that hard to replace if you put your mind to it.

If the transmission quit suddenly, I am pretty sure you have a destroyed reverse reaction drum (stove Pipe). It is called a stove pipe by some rebuilders because it looks like one. The problem that I have seen on a lot of these transmissions is the stove pipe flares out. The new replacement part is made of harder metal. It won't wear out as fast. Get yourself a transmission manual and look at the parts description and breakdown pictures. It is not that hard to replace if you put your mind to it.

Is that what they use now instead of bands? Just from the name, it sounds like it does something similar.