Transmission

I have a 1994 Grand am sport sedan. When i floor it from a dead stop it starts fine but around 40mph the car like goes into neutral then shifts into the next gear. It sounds like it trys to hard to switch into the next gear.... and the other gears it like shifts hard... What should i do?????

Thanks..

Your best bet is to bring it to either transmission specialist or to a mechanic that works on transmissions. It could be something as simple as needing new fluid and filter in the trans or to something more serious as a new trans. When was the last time you had the fluid changed in your transmission?

i dont' think i ever did

Ohhhhhhhh, not good. That is another oil you need to change.........

I agree, take it in and get it looked at.

how often should you change your transmission fluid

I do mine every 2 years, but I know people that wait longer....... Consult your owners maual or call a Pontiac dealer.

how often should you change your transmission fluid

How many miles on you GA?
It should be changed before 100k miles and about every 20-30k after that. Depending on driving conditions and driving habits.
If you are having problems though, I'd take it to a Trans Mechanic. They can be hard to diagnose and work on unless you hav the knowledge and the many, many tools required to work them.

BTW- it has a dipstick for the trans, check it to see if its low. could just be that or even overfilled. Good luck

i have 126,000 miles on my car and i don't think it was ever changed i'm goin to do that tommrow...

It could be low fluid which is always the first thing to check -(hot,running,and in park)lf slipping between lets say 2nd to 3rd usually indicates a larger problem.Clogged filters , stuck valve bodies, bad seals inside, worn clutch packs in the drums, worn pump, worn tranny. There is also what they call "morning sickness" when your car won't shift well until its hot. Thats bad seals inside they have turned hard. Usually once every 2 years depending on how much and how you drive is a good startn fluid change.They use a machine that will pull out all of your old fluid and replace it with new..I used to install transmissions so I've seen it all.. Also my friend still works for AAMCO 5 min from me. The old transmissions used to have a plug in the torque converter which would allow U to get more oil out after dropping the pan and filter. Now we have Lock-up converters which do just as the name says. At speeds the converter (the sprag and turbine) and instead of just building up pressure actually locks into the rpm of the tranny giving you better mileage.You cannot drain them because there is no plug.When your car go's into OD at about 55-60 and your driving feeling it sorta slip in and out thats your converter not holding or electrical. We used to drill certain types , tap them and flush them out in a machine but no more. If its bad U replace it especially if metal is found in the pan.Now with most tranny's having some kind of electronic control you have other things to consider.Go to a shop that will give your car a test drive-opinion-price on fixing. Don't be surprized if the guy says its shot and they want to replace it. Easy money for them.Just saw my friend yesterday as we stood under a lift--Ouote "things havn't changed at all these guys will rip U off no matter what, not like when we worked at so and so when we only took advantage of those who could afford it." My boss used to sell U back your own converter after he told U it was bad. Of course that was after a blue or silver paint job.Do not add any miracle tranny fix potions 99% of them are junk. If U do decide just to get your oil changed make sure YOU look in the bottom of the pan when they drop it for clutch material, metal, sludge in it. Don't let them tell U anything about it being a safety concern U being in the shop. Thats bull-snot. Watch them and watch them good. Hope this helps U some.

alright thanks... Yea i have to get that checked and yea it's the worst when i drive it when the engine is cold and as it gets warmer it gets better...

I would also recomend NOT getting a trans flush. All it'll do is make it slip more, and burn up whats left of your clutches.

So should i just get them to look at it then and not get a transmission flush

So should i just get them to look at it then and not get a transmission flush
Flushing the transmission will not solve your problem. Does it smell burnt or is sorta brown or is it a nice red like it should be. What usually happens is when new fluid is added during change it causes MORE slippage (less friction). The old fluid and the crap deposited in it is whats keeping it from total failure. Almost any tranny shop will test drive your car for free and recommend what needs to be done. The dropping of the pan will reveal what is going on inside. A totally clogged filter will not let the unit build up pressure and cause bad shifts and slippage. If it is loaded with clutch material or metal you have big problems and will need to get it rebuilt.Don't let them just fix whats wrong such as 1 clutch pack and some seals.A lot of places will charge U by how many broken things they find in there (Piece meal) which is their way of really screwing U.I've seen some bills that U would just laugh at because a rebuilt unit would have been cheaper!!!! If its gone U want 1 whole rebuilt unit or U might as well get a junk yard 1. You say your car gets better as it gets warmer ,thats because the lip seals are hard at first then get softer after getting hot causing them to seal better. Just take it somewhere let them tell you what they think is wrong --try 2 or 3 places if you want --get prices and compare what each place has told U the problem is. Post back- I'll be waiting and I'll ask my friend. What is the exact tranny in the car ??

My check oil light is also on couse that be the transmission oil??? I checked the engine oil thats fine.....

The check oil light doesn't have anything to do with the transmission only the engine oil.

Will you go to the shop already. 1 problem at a time. You already know you have a tranny problem. now you have something else. THEY WILL TEST DRIVE IT FOR FREE AND TELL U WHAT THEY THINK IS WRONG. ITS FREEEEEEEEEEE. God save the Queen. --Chris --Oh and get your oil light checked.