99 Transmission Bad?

[mastermatt_2006]

I have a 1999 Buick Regal GSE with 133000 miles on it. Last night when i drove it home about 1 mile it kept going out of gear everytime I stopped. I had to shut car off then turn back on to get in gear. Now I tried this morning and it won't go into gear at all, even after letting it warm up. I'm guessing my transmission is messed up, I was just wondering if anyone else had any other ideas I could try before spending a crap load of money with a mechanic. I also had ordered a zzp pcm and had it in my car for a day only because it was making my car shift very hard. I took it out yesterday and put the stock in and everything was running perfect (it seemed) for a good 8 hours. I think the other pcm might of had something to do with this, not sure.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by mastermatt_2006

I have a 1999 Buick Regal GSE with 133000 miles on it. Last night when i drove it home about 1 mile it kept going out of gear everytime I stopped. I had to shut car off then turn back on to get in gear. Now I tried this morning and it won't go into gear at all, even after letting it warm up. I'm guessing my transmission is messed up, I was just wondering if anyone else had any other ideas I could try before spending a crap load of money with a mechanic. I also had ordered a zzp pcm and had it in my car for a day only because it was making my car shift very hard. I took it out yesterday and put the stock in and everything was running perfect (it seemed) for a good 8 hours. I think the other pcm might of had something to do with this, not sure.

Fluid level and fluid? any juice in it?
Do you have reverse?
Any codes?
MT

[BNaylor]

When you installed the re-programmed PCM from ZZP did you have a crank variation learn (case learn) performed by the GM dealer on a Tech II scan tool?

Also, were the old adaptive shift settings (TAPS) reset?

[mastermatt_2006]

I had just had the transmission fluid flush 1.5 months ago. The fluid level is fine. No reverse. I did not have the case learn performed because the person at zzp customer service said it shouldn't be required. I don't know what to do other than have it towed to a mechanic.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by mastermatt_2006

I had just had the transmission fluid flush 1.5 months ago. The fluid level is fine. No reverse. I did not have the case learn performed because the person at zzp customer service said it shouldn't be required. I don't know what to do other than have it towed to a mechanic.

If full of fluid and no reverse or forward it may be a dead duck on transmission.
Might check the shift linkage and make sure it is shifting the transmission into gear.
Good Luck MT

[mastermatt_2006]

I managed to shift it into reverse to park it better than it was, but then it wouldn't work again. When I shift it from park to drive it doesn't seem it is doing anything at all.

[mastermatt_2006]

How would I go about checking the shift linkage?

[mastermatt_2006]

It seems at though it will work when I shut my car off then start it up but then will stop after a minute or two. Could it be metal chips in transmission that is clogging that is what a friend suggested?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by mastermatt_2006

I had just had the transmission fluid flush 1.5 months ago. The fluid level is fine. No reverse. I did not have the case learn performed because the person at zzp customer service said it shouldn't be required. I don't know what to do other than have it towed to a mechanic.

That was a bad move. When you flush high mileage trannies you are prone to having problems afterwards.

The problems you are having with the PCM upgrade are probably coincidental.

It sounds like you need to get it to a tranny shop.

[troy1]

From what I see about flushing is
1 people what to long to do it
2 they think is a cure all and then blame the shop afterwards.

With your car loosing all its gears and then you shut it off for a while which lets all the junk flow back out of the filter that has got sucked up in it. I would pull the pan or take it to a shop, it does not sound good. Oh any crunching sounds?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by mastermatt_2006

How would I go about checking the shift linkage?

Make sure transmission goes into park gear and holds.
Will not roll forward or backwards in park.
That lets you know it the shift lever is moving and that axels are holding.
Also look at top of transmission for shift shaft movement.
MT

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by troy1

From what I see about flushing is
1 people what to long to do it
2 they think is a cure all and then blame the shop afterwards.

With your car loosing all its gears and then you shut it off for a while which lets all the junk flow back out of the filter that has got sucked up in it. I would pull the pan or take it to a shop, it does not sound good. Oh any crunching sounds?

Troy1
Very true.
Quick lubes and even some dealers with a flush machine wanting to make a quick buck have added to the problem.
Some places in my area do not even change the filter with a flush.
Just flush away at it.
MT

To Flush or not To Flush ?
Just like Kenney Rodgers said you have got to know when to fold and when to hold.
If the fluid has high mileage 100K or over or is real dirty you had better hold.
On a trans that has had good regular service at 50K or sooner a flush is good.
But be ware of jiffie/quick/wallmart /fast lubes that offer power and fast flushes.
They have abused and over rated the trans flush.
They have a habit of using one fit all fluid out of the same barrel that fits all.
They just throw in a bottle of additive to make it fit all. Or worse they pitch in a bottle of cleaner or dope in it that can do more harm than good. And will tell you the filter does not need changing with a flush.
Just remember that all new fluid makes a high detergent cleaner that will break loose all varnish and dirt and grit in the trans and drop it in valve body and solenoids.
Always change the filter and go easy on or use no dope and cleaner.
Adjust/check the bands and linkage on the trans that have bands and adjustments.
Always use the trans fluid the trans/manf calls for. And be aware that some manf have changed the type of fluid specs since the trans was manf.
Some fords have changed the specs and a lot of cry/dodge have gone to the newer type of fluid on their trans service.
Also some fords have tsb’s and require a total complete trans flush to cure trans shifting problems. Some as low as 30K
If a person does not have a flush machine a old 5 gallon bucket and a couple of rubber hoses to connect to the cooler lines and with the other end in the bucket will make a good flush machine. Just put the hoses in the bucket and start the engine and start pouring fluid into the trans until the fluid running into the bucket gets good and clean.
It usually takes 16-20 qts. To get a good flush.
Flush or No flush always service the trans filter and trans on a good regular basic.
People that keep the serviced have a lot less trans problems.

[mastermatt_2006]

So should I try pulling the pan out and cleaning it and getting new filter, or am I better off taking it to a tranny shop tomorrow and spending crap loads of money

[BNaylor]

The easiest way to tell if the transmission range switch aka park/neutral switch on a '97 - '04 Regal is to observe the digital PRNDL indicator on the IP as you take the console mounted shifter through the gears. If the shift linkage/cable is a problem you will normally have either a no start condition, may not be able to remove the ignition key due to the BTSI or it may not move from PARK when the shifter release knob is depressed. Also, the PCM module references the range switch for upshifting/downshifting to control the shift solenoids.

Also, it is perfectly normal to get 2 - 3 inches of forward/backward movement (freeplay) when in PARK and emergency brake is off.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by mastermatt_2006

So should I try pulling the pan out and cleaning it and getting new filter, or am I better off taking it to a tranny shop tomorrow and spending crap loads of money

Troy1 is a 4T65E tranny expert. So follow his recommendation. Do a pan drop for inspection purposes but if it does not reveal anything then get professional help or you will just be spinning your wheels. Good luck.