Tranny issues (ugh!!!)

Oh my God, this car has turned out to be a dog in terms of just pure bad luck and now more mechanical problems. Recently, I noticed that there is a buckling sound coming from the front of the car whenever I brake or accelerate (like something is loose underneath the car). I've only had the car back from the shop in September for a new hub, control arm, and subframe. Now there is something wrong with the tranny. It is way slow to accelerate and doesn't shift normally anymore. It is way erratic in its behavior and sometimes the engine will be revving at 4-5K rpms until it decides on its own to shift. Giving it more gas only keeps it in the same gear but it sort of "coughs" with a kind of clicking sound. Additionally, it feels kind of wobbly between gears as if something is not balanced properly. I can't seem to find my paperwork but when I bought it, I got a 3 year 36K mile warranty on it and have only put 17K miles on it (it was used, had 45K and now 62K) so on Monday it is going to the dealership for an inspection but I just want to know what you guys think? Is the tranny toast and does this loose buckling noise sound familiar? Oh, forgot to mention the strange sound I got when cornering earlier this week, sort of like gears turning but it sounded like it was coming from the driver side area near the wheel. You know, I fell in love with this car when I first drove it but I've never had so many issues with a car so I think it's a good bet that it's my first and last Pontiac.

It sounds like you've got tranny issues, and all the noises you are hearing could be related.

Did you have any of these issues before the subframe was changed out?

Another suggestion would be to double check the tightness and torque on all subframe bolts to include the lower control arms and everything steering and suspension related. Something may have loosened up or dropped out. If you had the work done at a body shop this would hold true because I have never seen any mechanic at a body shop ever use a torque wrench. Also, check the motor/tranny mounts since most of them secure to the subframe and where the rack and pinion mounts to the subframe. Finally, you might check the torque of the axle nut on the hub assembly that was replaced. Just my 2 cents. :2cents:

On the tranny check the tightness of the 20/25 way umbilical electrical connector. Remove and reconnect. It is located on the top of the driver's side of the tranny.

Good luck!

Thanks BNaylor for the reply. Yup, you got it right,... the work was done at a local body shop. They busted my shifter cable housing (not the shifter cable itself) getting it towed and the fix was some zip ties holding the cable sheathing in place at a junction point near where the cable connects to the shifting lever on the tranny itself. Shifty work (no pun intended) if you ask me. I am going to go through the dealership where I bought it and skip those guys entirely. Thanks for the checklist though. I will print it and have the dealership take a looksee. Thanks again for your wisdom!!

Thanks BNaylor for the reply. Yup, you got it right,... the work was done at a local body shop. They busted my shifter cable housing (not the shifter cable itself) getting it towed and the fix was some zip ties holding the cable sheathing in place at a junction point near where the cable connects to the shifting lever on the tranny itself. Shifty work (no pun intended) if you ask me. I am going to go through the dealership where I bought it and skip those guys entirely. Thanks for the checklist though. I will print it and have the dealership take a looksee. Thanks again for your wisdom!!

I'm not surprised. I could tell you about my horror stories with a similar situation. But it sounds like you are on the right track and hope you get the matter resolved.

I'm not surprised. I could tell you about my horror stories with a similar situation. But it sounds like you are on the right track and hope you get the matter resolved.

Hey old wise one Happy New Year.
Sounds like The Three Sooges have opened a body shop now.
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Hey old wise one Happy New Year.
Sounds like The Three Sooges have opened a body shop now.
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Hi Wylie. Haven't seen you on AF for awhile. Happy New Year to you too.
How's the weather up North. Sunny here. Still waiting for snow.

Three stooges...lol. :lol2: Yeah, they seem to get around.

Checkout this link and join us. Jim (KustomKid54) is back.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=499843&page=2

Hi Wylie. Haven't seen you on AF for awhile. Happy New Year to you too.
How's the weather up North. Sunny here. Still waiting for snow.

Three stooges...lol. :lol2: Yeah, they seem to get around.

Checkout this link and join us. Jim (KustomKid54) is back.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=499843&page=2

Thanx Buddy: I just noticed the HNY thread and glad to see Jim still hangin out.
I pop in once in a while to see whats up,haven't had any trouble with GP lately (touch head)
Not much snow in Toronto,theres about 12" where I live,not much at all,raining today.
The killer is the Fn salt they put on the roads here,man its hard on the cars.
You can throw away a tin can and it last forever,you look after your car and your lucky if you get 4 or 5 years out of it.
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UPDATE: Well, the dealership where I bought it (Nissan) sent me over to the Pontiac dealership accross the way. Basically, I got the run around from them where all of the conversation was about me shelling out a $300.00 estimate before they could look at it. This had me getting in touch with 1st Extended where I learned alot about my warranty. It seems I got a better warranty than what I probably should have since the milage of the car was over the original factory one. I also learned that the dealership where it was bought has to either ok the work or decline it. Since the service manager there at the Nissan dealership doesn't seem to want to do the work, I now have the option to have it done by somebody of my choosing so tomorrow, it is getting looked at by a place that somebody I know recomended and hopefully, it's gonna get a new tranny very soon. The cost to me: a $50.00 deductable plus fluids, environmental fees and a few other things that the warranty doesn't cover. Much better than the $2700.00 that Nissan said it would probably take to replace. I'll let you all know how it goes.

ps, dealerships suck!! I joked with the service manager that he should provide the same kind of service that the sales floor gives (ie about a half dozen suits incoming) when I walk into their showroom. He didn't think that was too funny, lol!

Well, took the car to AAMCO and they said there isn't anything wrong with the tranny. The fluid was bad however and they flushed it and replaced the filter and gaskets so this apparently has something to do with the engine, or catalytic converter. I don't know what the problem is so now I guess it's off to a muffler shop for an inspection. Has anybody had a problem in this area and a ballpark on the costs involved? I seriously thought there was a problem with the tranny as it seemed like it was having a hard time shifting. I'm wondering if this car will ever return to its former glory before it finishes cleaning out my pockets.

Ever thought to make sure a CV axle isn't working out of the transmission. I've seen the C-clips break on the CV axle, allowing it to work of the shaft casuing vibrations, slippage and all kinds of odd things to happen..

Well, took the car to AAMCO and they said there isn't anything wrong with the tranny. The fluid was bad however and they flushed it and replaced the filter and gaskets so this apparently has something to do with the engine, or catalytic converter. I don't know what the problem is so now I guess it's off to a muffler shop for an inspection. Has anybody had a problem in this area and a ballpark on the costs involved? I seriously thought there was a problem with the tranny as it seemed like it was having a hard time shifting. I'm wondering if this car will ever return to its former glory before it finishes cleaning out my pockets.


Hopefully you won't have to spend any more money if it is a bad CAT convertor. You are aware 2001 - 2002 GPs were delivered with bad CATs. GM extended the CAT emissions warranty to 10 years or 120K miles, whichever comes first. GM sent these notices out several months ago.

The dealer should cover it even if you are a subsequent owner. See notice below:


************************************************ ****

This is a special policy that raises warranty coverages on the converter in case you experience a failure.

Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; or Buick Regal model vehicle, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; and Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, may have a condition where the catalytic converter is replaced due to complaints of lack of power or illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). This may be due to the front endcone insulation from the catalytic converter breaking away and blocking the front of the first catalyst brick and preventing the free flow of exhaust gas through the converter.

This is not a recall. Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

What We Have Done
General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the Catalytic Converter. If this condition occurs on your 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; or Buick Regal model vehicle, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles (190,000 km), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge .

What You Should Do
Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to call the service department at your dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.

Sorry I haven't been in the forum lately,... have 2 jobs so am quite busy. That is something! Such wonderful news. I hope it applies to me though. Here's how the car is acting. When cold, the car responds nearly like it did before. However, when it warms up, it slugs out with inconsistent, herky jerky behavior and sluggish speed between gears. Sometimes it just doesn't want to move until I give it more gas. All of these conditions are when the car is warm, which, by the way, seems to take less time getting up to temperature. No indicator lights on the dash though but don't know if that is indicative since I don't know if this lamp is governed by the BCM which I've said isn't working right. I've left a message with the service manager of the nearest Pontiac dealership indicating this situation so I expect he, or one of his crew, will be giving me a call soon (hopefully). Dude, if you are not employed by the auto industry, you should be! And getting top dollar to boot. Thanks for all of your input. It is always wise and always welcome!!

The dealer in my area would not honor the warrenty.Claimed it was only good to 80,000 miles and he wanted $80.00 just to check it.Had it replaced at a muffler shop $300 .A replacement bolt in is $188 and a weld in is about 90.00at the after market parts stores. The Cat in my daughters car was plugged ,the honeycomb material breaks apart.Take a look at it when you have it changed. I could't believe the car ran.

The dealer in my area would not honor the warrenty.Claimed it was only good to 80,000 miles and he wanted $80.00 just to check it.Had it replaced at a muffler shop $300 .A replacement bolt in is $188 and a weld in is about 90.00at the after market parts stores. The Cat in my daughters car was plugged ,the honeycomb material breaks apart.Take a look at it when you have it changed. I could't believe the car ran.

I'm curious as to why the dealer did not honor the warranty extension. I recall working with another 2001 - 2002 GP owner and he contacted Pontiac Customer Service and complained. A few weeks later the same dealer that claimed he did not know anything about the warranty extension or the flaky CAT situation replaced the CAT for free. In another case, the guy got re-imbursed for CAT repairs when a dealer claimed the same thing. The catch for re-imbursement is the replacement CAT must be GM OEM and not aftermarket. In two other cases owners with 2001 - 2002 SE with 3.1L V6 were covered and they were not part of the GM notification because it only affected 3800 and 3400 engines. It just doesn't make sense but I'd definitely give the dealer a piece of my mind. Oh well.