93 Buick won't go into gear!!!

[Buickboy19]

I was driving yesterday when I started to smell smoke. I parked and saw some type of fluid splattered over on the driver side of the engine compartment. I later drove to work and the car really started to smoke up and I started to lose acceleration. I parked and went to work. When Igot off work I drove it about 8 blocks and while turning into a strip mall upon entering the up ramp the car just lost all acceleration. A tow truck driving by pushed me up the ramp. I had to push the car to my house and park it. It will start up fine but there isn't any recognition of any gear and the car won't budge. I can put it into Drive, Reverse, or 1,2, and 3 gear and it won't make a sound. Is my transmission shot or is it something I can do to fix it????

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by Buickboy19

I was driving yesterday when I started to smell smoke. I parked and saw some type of fluid splattered over on the driver side of the engine compartment. I later drove to work and the car really started to smoke up and I started to lose acceleration. I parked and went to work. When Igot off work I drove it about 8 blocks and while turning into a strip mall upon entering the up ramp the car just lost all acceleration. A tow truck driving by pushed me up the ramp. I had to push the car to my house and park it. It will start up fine but there isn't any recognition of any gear and the car won't budge. I can put it into Drive, Reverse, or 1,2, and 3 gear and it won't make a sound. Is my transmission shot or is it something I can do to fix it????

Have you checked for fluid in the transmission? Low or no fluid = no engagement.

The smoke sounds like you lost fluid probably from a leak in the transmission fluid lines that go up to the radiator side tanks and take the fluid from transmission to cool it with the radiator water. I believe those go up on the driver's side from the side of the transmission. You probably have a leak that splattered or dripped or sprayed onto the exhaust. I believe they're metal all the way; they might have rubber sections. They can corrode, break, or nuts loosen.

Welcome to Automotive Forums. Let us know what you find.

With a cool not running transmission the fluid should be an inch or two above the full mark. After the motor is running and transmission warmed up (drive for a while) the fluid should be between low and full and with a thoroughly driven transmission it should be right at the full mark.

[Buickboy19]

Thanks for replying. I will let you know what happens and what it is!

[Buickboy19]

Is it something I can fix myself or do I have to go to a shop???

[Alibi]

That depends on your level of skill, and on what the problem is. If a line is rusted through, then getting one from a junkyard and swapping it in shouldn't be a hard job.

Just look for the source of the leak first (after you check the fluid level, It does sound an awful lot like the tranny has a leak somewhere).

[imidazol97]

If you're in a high salt area you could have a corrosion hole in the light. You could have a mechanical leak caused by a rock or something hitting the line or from it wiggling from vibration. You could have a tap at a connection that has loosened.

You'll have to look at the lines from the radiator to the transmission and you'll probably see where the fluid is leaking. You'll want to put jackstands in place and look under at the driver's side of the transmission--if I recall correctly to check te connections there if you don't see an obvious problem at the radiator side tank in and out connections.