92 geo metro

[kia46]

My geo metro starts up like a champ, at first she would hesitate at 35 miles and hour above or below that she did fine....Now tho, when I take her out she cant get past 15 miles an hour before she hesitates and when I try to reach speeds of over that it sounds like I have her in park and am gunning the engine....question, dirty fuel filter? or catylistic converter? otherwise she runs good. I already did the routine maintenence of plugs, wires, etc....any help would be appreciated

[crazyinkc]

Sounds like a transmission problem. I assume you have an auto since you metioned park in your statement. Check the trans fluid level and condition. Keep us posted on what you found.

[kia46]

It seems that when I play with the main wire (that hooks up to the other wires, plugs) it runs okay....tranny fluid...there are two dip sticks in there...which one is oil and which one is tranny...I think the oil stick is on the right, not sure....both fluids are brown in color and I know tranny fluid is suppose to be pick in color...change that out? how? anyway that main wire that hooks up to the thingy closer to the windshield is loose and doesnt want to stay in....some one told me because it is loose it is not giving the right connection to move forward....how to I tighten that? right now I have electrical tape to keep in place....
any answers would be helpful....
kia (colleen)

[crazyinkc]

I belive the main wire you are talking about is the coil wire. If it is not staying on the tower then you could retenssion the connection by using a screwdriver and spreding the connection open abit. The trans fluid should be pinkish/red. If it is brown then it is way overdue for a change. You will need to also buy a pan gasket and filter for the trans as it sounds like the filter maybe plugged. Changing the trans fluid can be a mixed blessing since some trannys with alot of miles do noot take to fluid changes well because the detergent in the new fluid washes off the glaze on the clutches but in your case it sounds like you have nothing to loose except the cost of fluid and filter. There is a drain plug on the bottom of the trans pan, you can use that to drain the fluid, then drop the pan (10 bolts or so) and you will see the filter. I do not remember how the filter is held in since it has been a few years but it was easy. Then clean out the pan with a clean rag and make sure your gasket surface is clean then install tthe pan and gasket making sure you installed the new filter first. Then add 3 qts. of Dextron II (Dextron III works too) and start the car. Check the level and add as needed. PS the trand dipstick should be on the right side if you are looking under the hood. The oil stick has a T handle. Good luck and if you need more help just ask.