95 Galant automatic transmission problems!

[formerclevelander]

We bought a 95 Galant with a/t and 126000 miles. We experienced the usual overdrive problem so we took it to a transmission shop. We were told it needed a computer first, then they called that the overdrive needed repair.

We did that and within 60 days of the 90 day warranty we had to get the car towed in because the reverse and drive went out. We just picked the car up yesterday after having the tranny rebuilt with a 12,000 mile/12 month warranty. We barely got 50 miles, not even made it home. The reverse is gone again and we're back to the same overdrive problem. What's up with that!

Could the computer be faulty or is there some minor problem being overlooked? Did we really need a rebuild after all?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

The Former Clevelander now living in Alabama

[demarcnt1]

Originally Posted by formerclevelander

We bought a 95 Galant with a/t and 126000 miles. We experienced the usual overdrive problem so we took it to a transmission shop. We were told it needed a computer first, then they called that the overdrive needed repair.

We did that and within 60 days of the 90 day warranty we had to get the car towed in because the reverse and drive went out. We just picked the car up yesterday after having the tranny rebuilt with a 12,000 mile/12 month warranty. We barely got 50 miles, not even made it home. The reverse is gone again and we're back to the same overdrive problem. What's up with that!

Could the computer be faulty or is there some minor problem being overlooked? Did we really need a rebuild after all?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

The Former Clevelander now living in Alabama

Formerclevlander and all:

I had the same issues and spent months figuring it out. After havin no less than 4 dianoses, I decided to use my own brain and weekends....I found it!!!

The issue is in the design of the overdrive switch, the shift lever and the mechanical gear selection locking mechanism....nothing else! DO NOT REPLACE YOUR TRANSMISSION!!!!

Remove the center console (you'll have to remove several plastic moulding pieces to get the the screws)and you will see the gear selection locking mechanism. Shift the mechanism a few times (engine off of course) to see how it works.

You should see a lateral steel bar that fits into several notches that correspond to the various gears.

This bar should have a blue nylon plastic sheath......guess what? It wears out!

This bar is then electrically "grounded" when the sheath is gone (mine was in two pieces at the base of the housing).

Because of the grounding, the overdrive switch will not work ro engage the overdirve gear....believe me after haing the tranny randomly downshift ro stay in 3rd, I understand what it is like.

I was told by 3 of the 4 shops that I neededed a new trasmission.

After finding a piece of plastic with the right diameter to slide over the bar (I used a windshield washer connecter) it worked like a charm!!!

I replaced the tranny fluid and filter and ahve not had any issues since...like new!

Good luck!

[Jadavisit]

I have a 98 think this could work im haveing the same problem! If so please explain what the part to replace looks like again. I take my center console off once in a while to clean so used to what it looks like just dont understand which shaft your referring to.

Thanks for future help.