'01 3.1L SE O/D not working

With no prior symptoms, my overdrive today stoped working. It's a '01 SE 3.1L stock w/55k mi. I was drivin with no music on and heard louder than normal whining at 55/60 mph then noticed rpms about 3k, I then tried 3rd gear notch and no change in rpm! The whining noise doesn't happen while its in 3rd. Is this a easy problem to fix? Thanks in advance if you can help.

Could be an internal trans problem, needs to be scanned with a trans function scanner to check for solenoid operation, trans codes and slippage errors, this will narrow down the problem.

In a worse case scenario you may have a bad 4th gear clutch spline. Common problem on the 4T65E because GM did not used hardened splines.

This will require replacement of the spline which is major tranny work.

Thanks for the info friends, while I was checking the fluid level and going thru the notches r,n,d,3,2,1 w/engine running I got an odd buzzing sound when the lever was in 1st and car was obviously not moving. Should that buzzing sound happen?

Thanks for the info friends, while I was checking the fluid level and going thru the notches r,n,d,3,2,1 w/engine running I got an odd buzzing sound when the lever was in 1st and car was obviously not moving. Should that buzzing sound happen?

The buzzing sound is abnormal for a 4T65E tranny. Normally quiet when they are working right. So manually going to first you had no forward movement.

Like Max suggested earlier, you might consider getting it to a tranny shop that has a scanner capable of retrieving DTC error codes. Some set the SES light and others do not but store.

But your problem sounds worse like an internal mechanical problem such as the input clutch, input sprag or splines, etc.

Hey bnaylor, I meant the car was not moving cuz I was clickin thru the positions with the brakes on, per owner manual instructions to check fluid level. By the way, anyone know how much a new trany or rebuilt installed costs? I talked to a Pontiac shop and he said they rebuild the one on the car, replace whats bad, $350 for the open'er up look/see.

Hey bnaylor, I meant the car was not moving cuz I was clickin thru the positions with the brakes on, per owner manual instructions to check fluid level. By the way, anyone know how much a new trany or rebuilt installed costs? I talked to a Pontiac shop and he said they rebuild the one on the car, replace whats bad, $350 for the open'er up look/see.


OK got it. I misunderstood. Was the level OK in PARK after running it through the gears. How about the condition of the ATF. Red or dark or burnt?

From experience you are better off staying away from any GM dealer. Have a good reputable tranny shop do the work. A rebuild can cost upwards of $2K.

Normally for the 4th gear (overdrive) problem a new hardened AC Delco spline needs to be installed and that normally takes care of it.

I can refer you to our tranny expert.

No 4th is usually the 4th shaft but with only 55K is kind of odd. Have you owned the car the whole time & how hard do you pound on it? As for the whine no you should not have one. I would take the pan off and take a look around and see what in the pan for junk. I suspect bearing failure and it possibly stuck the valve for 4th gear. One more thing make sure the tranny is full a hair over full when hot does not hurt anything either some 60/65e's can be temperamental when a little low by causing a pump cavitation (low on ATF and sucking some air). If you decide to pull the pan your self have about 7.5 qts of a good quality ATF on hand.

No 4th is usually the 4th shaft but with only 55K is kind of odd. Have you owned the car the whole time & how hard do you pound on it? As for the whine no you should have one. I would take the pan off and take a look around and see what in the pan for junk. I suspect bearing failure and it possibly stuck the valve for 4th gear. One more thing make sure the tranny is full a hair over full when hot does not hurt anything either some 60/65e's can be temperamental when a little low by causing a pump cavitation (low on ATF and sucking some air). If you decide to pull the pan your self have about 7.5 qts of a good quality ATF on hand.
I don't know Troy, lost the 4th gear clutch hub on a 65e at 69k, cost me 700 to replace that only, trans did not come out went thru the side cover and pump, had to have it done my shop was jammed with work at the time.

Hey bnaylor, the fluid level was normal color & upto the full hole, and I drove it for an hour before checking. I'm the orig. owner, I drive it fast but don't do burnout starts or go 90 in a 40mph zone like the kids round here. Thanks for offerin your tranny guy but I'm in Chicago area, your info shows Texas.

Hey bnaylor, the fluid level was normal color & upto the full hole, and I drove it for an hour before checking. I drive it fast but don't do burnout starts or go 90 in a 40mph zone like the kids round here. Thanks for offerin your tranny guy but I'm in Chicago area, your info shows Texas.

Our tranny expert is Troy1 who weighed in earlier. He is a tranny tech and fellow Grand Prix owner.

If the fluid is good then it doesn't sound good. Troy1 suggested doing a pan drop and looking for possible metal. Good luck!

I'm not saying that is not possible to loose one at 55 or 69K Max. Its just one of those things thats some what of a highmileage issue. In all the 60/65E's I have built I have only seen one with a bad 4th shaft @ 150K. most are bearings,diffs or clutch failures. I guess around here Diffs go before 4th shafts when your in a snow bank :lol:

Hey troy1, what do mean by that little sign sayin you know who I am?

Its just a little software deal that tells what your IP address & internet explorer version is ect. I dont know you are for real.