91 Olds 98 transmission problem?

Hey,

Sorry I tried using the Search tool but it gave me a SQL error. So here goes!

I have the 1991 Olds 98 Touring Edition with the 3800. Trans shifted fine for quite some time, car has like 129K on it, been driving it for like 8K miles no tranny problems. (Note: I do have phantom electric problems and the sudden dying that everyone seems to have - not sure if that's related at all).

SUDDENLY today after driving into a parking lot (I did scrape the underside of the front end a bit, but should not have been anything serious), FROM A STOPPED POSITION the car will not move forward very much at all when in OD. When in D it moves a bit faster. When in 2nd it moves faster. When in 1st it still spins a bit but moves closer to normal. So manually putting the car in first gear is best. WTF?

I checked the trans fluid and it was just under where I should be adding fluid. I added a half quart of trans fluid. This did not fix the problem.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Welcome to AF. Sounds like the trans is in default, which is a 3rd gear start, this could be an internal electrical issue with the solenoids or trans itself or you hit the trans pan or knocked a connector off on the trans or lost power to the trans connector, all these things must be checked by a knowedgeable tech.

Welcome to AF. Sounds like the trans is in default, which is a 3rd gear start, this could be an internal electrical issue with the solenoids or trans itself or you hit the trans pan or knocked a connector off on the trans or lost power to the trans connector, all these things must be checked by a knowedgeable tech.

Brought it to the dealer, they said $1550 to get it fixed up. They said the D Solenoid is bad, and the computer is bad. Plus the mass air unit is bad, full of oil. They'd have to pull the tranny to get at the solenoid. If I skip the mass air unit (not entirely related), then the cost is like $1250.

They said they isolated the computer and it flat out stops communicating at times. They said this will cause the motor to die every so often (which it does already).

Questions:
1) Can I get a computer from a junkyard and plug it in myself?
2) If I do 1), then do I need to calibrate the computer in any way, or can I just plug the sucker in?
3) Where is the computer located?
4) What about the D solenoid? Can I replace that for cheaper (live in the Seattle area).

Car is not worth $1550. I bought it for $1200.

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

Check rockauto.com for the cpu - about $100-150. I think the CPU is located on the front passenger side panel - can't remember.

For the mass air flow sensor, should be between the air filter and the intake. I think it's connected with a t-star bolts - I used vice grips to remove. Take it out - soak the sensor tips in alcohol for an hour or so and gentlay clean with cue-tips.

Can't help with the solinoid.

Make sure you disconnect the battery after you clean the flow sensor unit - to reset the cpu.

Thanks for your help & suggestions!

UPDATE: Apparently the B-SHIFT SOLENOID is stuck in open position. Anyone know how much I should pay, ballpark, to have this fixed? I live in Seattle.

Thanks

The trans does not have to come out it is accessed by removing the side cover, it is about a 5-6 hour job.