2001 Century Transmission problem

Today had our 2001 Century Custom transmission appear to suddenly go out. Had not been exhibiting any odd signs, no noises or problems shifting at all previous. Wife left the hospital, got in car, put in overdrive and it just revved like it was in neutral.

It appears to not have overdrive, 3, or 1st .... but will drive in 2nd gear and does have reverse.

She had it towed to a repair shop, but they have not gotten to looking at it yet.

Anyone have idea what problem may be and ballpark $ to correct? Seems odd to have 2nd and reverse work, but no other forward gears.

Thanks for any responses.

Welcome to AF! There are several possibilities here one being that the transmission has gone bad internally such as a shaft or clutch going bad. The other is that you have a problem with the shift cable and finally that the solenoids have gone bad and are not engaging the gears properly. Of course the shift cable problem will be the easiest and cheapest to repair. The second would be solenoid replacement and finally a rebuild which can cost from $1600 to $2400 depending on the transmission and shop.

Hey GTP, what kind of solenoids you talking about there, are they shift solenoids, I guess they are located inside the pan? How many are there. The reason I'm asking is we have notice some erratic shiting in our 2000 Buick Century...I'm going to change the fluid and the filter tomorrow and see if that helps............thanks...

GTP, I found the answer to all my questions in another thread.......thanks....great forum here.....

Bought car Nov 2000. Transmission problems 2002. Took three visits to convince dealer there was a transmission problem. "Cannot duplicate the problem" must be a standard phrase.
2 Dec 2002: "Auto trans repairs hours: 5:00 tech:57
Ck trans slips when you start off & sometimes from 2nd to 3rd
Ck with scan tool no codes, ck trans pressure way low
After repairs pressure test again, pressure up about 75 PSI
Replace PC solenoid, road test & recheck all OK"
2005--transmission problem. Tried to tell different dealer there was a transmission problem. He didn't inspect it; just said, "No, I don't think so." Second visit, after the warranty ran out, took car back to dealer with same complaint. "Cannot duplicate problem."
Googled transmission problems Buick Century 2001
"Occasional problems with this vehicle are failures of the Transmission Pressure Control Solenoid (PCS) and the connections at the Transmission Pass-Thru Connector"... Identfies said parts and suggests the cost of repairs--less than $400 not counting diagnosis.
Had car towed to a shop that specialized in transmission problems. Was told it would cost $1500 to rebuild transmission. Price jumped to $2200; no explanation. When I went to pick up my car, the price had gone to $2,392.77.
If I live long enough, my next car will be a Honda or Toyta.

If you scroll down on this forum, you may find my input on similar problem. My car had only 50.000 km on odometer. During one drive, the transmission quit and I had to hae it rebuild. Cost me $ 1.800 Canadian.
Yesterday, Canadian TV had a program called 'Market Place'. There was a case presented describing a problem with Chrysler Minivan. Their minivans have a transmission problem when some part knocks a hole in the transmission casing. The Chrysler company actually had to do some improvements (temporary shield) to prevent this problem from reocurring in new models. Even though national televisin was involved, visited the Chrysler headquarters, the customer did not get any cost reimbursment.
(I guess that they were concerned that more customers will demand compensation)..
In short, I believe that car manufacturers these days make the povertrains (esspecially trans) to last only 5 years. After all, it is in their interest to sell more cars, they do not want cars last like they used to.
I like the comfort of the Century (2000). BUT, I am now terrified of transmission 'going out' once again.
The shop owner who rebuilt my transmission claims that GM transmission are 'starving' for more fluid. He actually put well over one inch fluid in it after the rebuilt. Only the future will show whether he was right on this point.

Peter Solarik


Your trans shop owner was talking out his anal orfice!

Peter Solarik


Your trans shop owner was talking out his anal orfice!

Well, I respect your knowledge Flatrater. Should I get rid of the exess fluid? I spoke to another automotive technician here at our college, who teaches transmissions and he said that I should watch whether there will be any foaming produced (on the dipstick) due to overfill. He further comforted me saying that the excess fluid would boil out if there is way too much over the 'maximum' mark on the dipstick.
He also mentioned that on older cars, the overfill could cause a fire in engine compartment due to fluis spilling on hot engine.
GM (according to yesterday news) is going to further lower the retail prices on Buicks, maybe that is the time to trade in?
BUT, my car is 2000 Century with 60.000 km on clock, hardly broken in, I am tempted to take a trip to GM dealer, but once I am there, (I am an impulsive buyer), I woud for sure end up with a new car and new loan in bank. I got the Buick already paid for. So far had to replace the brakes in the front and right side tie rod (aftermarket).
I just put a set of new tires on it.
What would you do?
I enjoy your inputs. I am sure that all visitors here are happy to have you here.
I am sorry for bringing this subject (transmission) here again.

Should I get rid of the exess fluid? I spoke to another automotive technician here at our college, who teaches transmissions and he said that I should watch whether there will be any foaming produced (on the dipstick) due to overfill. He further comforted me saying that the excess fluid would boil out if there is way too much over the 'maximum' mark on the dipstick.

Peter, just out of curiosity how much over the top mark....8 ounces, 16 ounces?

I run my wife's '99 Regal LS approximately 8 ounces over the mark which doesn't seem to have any adverse effect. The extra fluid is Lubegard.

I had a sticky pressure control solenoid back around 80K miles and have been running overfilled for 32K miles since. Total mileage 112K miles. 4T65E tranny runs like a champ. Even if it craps out we got our monies worth out of it since purchased new. Nothing like a Buick.

Peter, just out of curiosity how much over the top mark....8 ounces, 16 ounces?

I run my wife's '99 Regal LS approximately 8 ounces over the mark which doesn't seem to have any adverse effect. The extra fluid is Lubegard.

I had a sticky pressure control solenoid back around 80K miles and have been running overfilled for 32K miles since. Total mileage 112K miles. 4T65E tranny runs like a champ. Even if it craps out we got our monies worth out of it since purchased new. Nothing like a Buick.

Hi Bnaylor !
The trans shop put in extra (over the max dipstick level) 1.5 litres.
I don't know how many ounces that amount represents. So far no problem, but I put (since the rebuild) on the clock just little over 8.000 km. I like the car, it equals the comfort of Mercedes. I used to own 300D. The car was hard to start in the winter, used to carry a spare battery in the trunk for cold starts, even that did not help in extreme colds. Did not have a option to plug it in at my work place.
And the cost of spares! Rotors etc, were 3 times more expensive than American cars. The engine shut off and windows were operated by vacum. Once the vacum started leak, I could not shut off the engine. Had to open the hood and push that 'red' shut off button. You can imagine, how my wife hated that car! I would never buy import again.

Hi Bnaylor !
The trans shop put in extra (over the max dipstick level) 1.5 litres.
I don't know how many ounces that amount represents. So far no problem, but I put (since the rebuild) on the clock just little over 8.000 km. I like the car, it equals the comfort of Mercedes. I used to own 300D. The car was hard to start in the winter, used to carry a spare battery in the trunk for cold starts, even that did not help in extreme colds. Did not have a option to plug it in at my work place.
And the cost of spares! Rotors etc, were 3 times more expensive than American cars. The engine shut off and windows were operated by vacum. Once the vacum started leak, I could not shut off the engine. Had to open the hood and push that 'red' shut off button. You can imagine, how my wife hated that car! I would never buy import again.

1.5 liters?? Wow. I know 16 oz = .473 liters, so you are well over 48 ounces overfilled. The overflow/vent is located on the driver's side, top of the transmission a few inches away from the big electrical connector and you might check it for any fluid runout just for safety. The exhaust manifold crossover pipe is very close. Other than that I'm curious to see how Flatrater weighs in. :dunno:

No major damage will be done with an overfull transmission. Your line pressure will be affected and as bnaylor3400 stated the fluid will come out of the vent. In the past i have dealt with a car that blew out trans fluid onto the exhaust manifold and yes it did catch fire. I am sure that car is now a paperweight since nothing was left of it.

Foaming trans fluid is caused by air mixing with the fluid. Foaming will not happen with an overfull transmission since their is no room for air to mix with the fluid like in a low level condition.


If I may rant some because I need to vent this.

Peter you spent 1100 dollars on getting your transmission fixed. well you got ripped off besides them breaking your side cover. I have done 3 PCS repairs in the past 6 weeks. The most any of them paid was 350 dollars for the parts, labor and diagnosis. The repair pays 3.5 hours of labor using the standard labor time guide. Since I also removed all the bolts in the side cover none of them cracked like yours. The first clue on who you were dealing with should of been the pile of broken side covers laying on the floor.

A PCS will not burn clutches or break bands or blow out seals or break springs, shift solenoids. The PCS adjusts line pressure which determines shifting, shift feel and things of that nature. When a shop tells you you will need all of these parts because your PCS went south they are lying. All you need is a new PCS and some fluid. Of all the PCS repairs I have done over the years not one has come back with the same problem after spending 1/3 of what you did Peter. You blamed GM for making a defective transmisson saying that it shouldn't need a 1100 dollar overhaul with such low mileage. Well you are partly right. GM made a bad PCS but there was no need in a 1100 dollar overhaul. The brunt of the blame belongs to the trans shop you did business with. I'm not saying GM is innocent because they aren't.

General Motors employs thousands of engineers who design, build and test all the parts GM uses. They are not perfect but when a little shop owner who has no real clue on anything car related but claims to know the reason behind a PCS seat wearing saying it's caused by running a quart low on fluid is full of shit. Your first clue should have been the pile of broken side covers. Paying triple for a repair also should of turned on a light.

The biggest thing that sets me off is the people who say dealers rip people off , dealers charge too much yet I would of fixed your problem for 1/3 of what you spent. The standard labor time guides list 3.5 hours of labor for this repair and these labor time guides are a standard in this business. And actual time spent is about 2 hours. Also my repairs don't come back neither do I need to repair a broken side cover because i didn't remove all the bolts and pry the cover off. man this cover falls right odd after all the bolts are removed.

Nice to know info Flatrater. Thanks for the feedback. :bigthumb:

[QUOTE=Flatrater]No major damage will be done with an overfull transmission. Your line pressure will be affected and as bnaylor3400 stated the fluid will come out of the vent. In the past i have dealt with a car that blew out trans fluid onto the exhaust manifold and yes it did catch fire. I am sure that car is now a paperweight since nothing was left of it.

Thanks Flatrater!
I hope I am not a 'pain in the neck' for guys like you!
I am just an awarage motorist that is able to change his oils and that's all as far as the vehicle maintanace goes with me.
Well, I am good in welding department (since 1959).. (:-)
I am also planning to take out the exess fluid from trans ASAP. Furthermore, I will install a drain plug on the bottom of the trans. I guess for this, I will have to take off the bottom cover off and weld inside a small aluminum plate to accomodate the plug ( drill and thread) since there is not enough of 'meat' on that bottom cover.
Thanks for the detailed repsonse.
I am almost 64 years old and to my dismay, I learn by ther mistakes all the time.

i had similar problems with 2000 centry at 51,000, my heat selnoid&shift selnoid went out,cost $800.00 at buick dealer.

i had similar problems with 2000 centry at 51,000, my heat selnoid&shift selnoid went out,cost $800.00 at buick dealer.

Thanks for the info, however this thread is old and we prefer old threads over 3 months old are not resurrected. Please check the date of the thread and last post. Your future cooperation is appreciated. Thread closed.