Trans question

I know this isn't a malibu question, but the olds cutlass message board is too cluttered with ceira/supreme threads and the cutlass and the malibu are the same car.

I've just bought a 98 olds cutlass, I put it in reverse and backed up, when I put it in drive the car would not move in any gear unless I raced the engine. When the engine was raced it would only creep.

Someone told me to add a pint of ATF, that it might be low, but as we all know on these cars, there is no way to check the fluid level.

Anyway, I added it and everything has been okay so far (10 miles)

I hope this has taken care of the problem, but I am not so sure.

Does anyone have any thoughts of what another cause could be?

Someone told me to add a pint of ATF, that it might be low, but as we all know on these cars, there is no way to check the fluid level.


On any "N" body Cutlass, Malibu, Grand Am, Alero with 4T40/45E tranny you can properly check the ATF fluid level. There is an inspection plug on the passenger transaxle housing. You don't want to be underfilled or overfilled. See link below:

http://www.quality-trans.com/faq/faq8.htm#41

Another suggestion depending on your mileage is to do a pan drop and screen filter service. The ATF deteriorates with age and a dirty screen filter can reduce transmission line pressure causing valve body and pressure control related problems.

Hey thanks alot. I never noticed that plug before, actually i never really looked for one.

I could never understand why auto makers make it so difficult to service Auto transmissions.

wish they were all like my 93 civic, you just open the drain plug , drain and fill. SO easy!