transmission trouble

[saggy05]

I have a 1998 chevy malibu ls. The check engine light was on for a while until I took it to a shop and than checked it out. They said that they smelled burned fluid and so on. Another person said my torque converter was stuck. But that was before. I can not get into second gear. It goes into first tho. The car is an automatic. What I want to know do I need a whole new rebuilt transmission like the person said at the shop or is there a better solution to getting my transmission fixed. Also he said I was low on transmissiion fluid. The check engine light went out too. But the car is still in danger. Can someone help me out please??!!!!

[Jim Adams]

what was the code it was throwing out when the light was on?? and you need to find out what kind of trans you have ,,look under it and see if it has a 4T60E stamped on the pan,,if so it is electronically controled transmission and it may be a sensor

[saggy05]

Originally Posted by saggy05

I have a 1998 chevy malibu ls. The check engine light was on for a while until I took it to a shop and than checked it out. They said that they smelled burned fluid and so on. Another person said my torque converter was stuck. But that was before. I can not get into second gear. It goes into first tho. The car is an automatic. What I want to know do I need a whole new rebuilt transmission like the person said at the shop or is there a better solution to getting my transmission fixed. Also he said I was low on transmissiion fluid. The check engine light went out too. But the car is still in danger. Can someone help me out please??!!!!

WELL THE LIGHT IS NO LONGER ON AND SO THERE IS NO CODE TO READ. BUT IT STILL DOES NOT SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. ONLY THE FIRST ONE. SO DO I REALLY NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION REBUILT???

[bcopeland]

Well, like Jim Adams said, find out what type of tranny you have first! It could well be a sensor. Always start with the cheap items first. Why buy a new or rebuilt tranny and then find out it still does not work? Check the sensors first. And NEVER trust the first transmission shiop you go to. I changed my filter once and it was leaking when I pout the pan back on so I took it to a tranny shop for the $19.99 special. They told me a needed a new filter and adjustment of bands etc. I said no thanks. Went home and removed the filter and 2 o-rings came out. I stuck it back up in there and 2 more o-rings came out. Bottom line was I was being ripped off!

[saggy05]

Originally Posted by bcopeland

Well, like Jim Adams said, find out what type of tranny you have first! It could well be a sensor. Always start with the cheap items first. Why buy a new or rebuilt tranny and then find out it still does not work? Check the sensors first. And NEVER trust the first transmission shiop you go to. I changed my filter once and it was leaking when I pout the pan back on so I took it to a tranny shop for the $19.99 special. They told me a needed a new filter and adjustment of bands etc. I said no thanks. Went home and removed the filter and 2 o-rings came out. I stuck it back up in there and 2 more o-rings came out. Bottom line was I was being ripped off!

WELL DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE THE SENSORS WHEN IT DOESNT GO INTO THE NEXT GEAR? IT GOES INTO FIRST GEAR. BUT NO OTHER. THE CODE THAT WAS READ BEFORE THE FLUID WAS ADDED WAS 730 AND 742. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK??

[bcopeland]

Its possible. Please check the sensors first. Then on to step 2.

[saggy05]

Originally Posted by bcopeland

Its possible. Please check the sensors first. Then on to step 2.

WELL HOW DO I CHECK THE SENSORS??

[bcopeland]

Not sure if they are "testable" but take them to Auto Parts store and have them tested.

[saggy05]

Originally Posted by bcopeland

Not sure if they are "testable" but take them to Auto Parts store and have them tested.

Where are they located at?

[Allbert]

I think your car has either the 4T40E or 4T45E transmission, depending on whether it is a 4 or 6 cylinder engine... LS probably is a 6, so that would be the 4T45E. If you're vehicle stays in 1st gear all the time, there should eventually be some sort of trouble code to give you a hint of what's wrong. If you're speedometer is working, it's probably not your speed sensor. If you still have reverse but don't have any of the other forward gears (2nd through 4th), then it sounds like your 2nd clutch is not engaging. This could be that the clutch itself is burned up (if you really do have nasty/burnt fluid, then this is a good possibility) or possibly that the 2nd clutch controls are not working. If it turns out that the clutch is burnt, you need a rebuild. If it's just the controls, then it could be as simple as a shift solenoid failure (both A and B are supposed to be OFF for 2nd, so no 2nd would mean that one is stuck ON. Solenoid A is ON and solenoid B is OFF for 1st, so could be solenoid A is staying ON) or it could be some of the downstream components in the valve body (stuck shift valve, leaky accumulator, etc.). In either case, you'd have to get to the valve body to troubleshoot and replace any of these items, and that is a pain for the 4T45E since the side cover has to come which involves a good bit of work to get to. My advice, if you want to keep this car, is to shop around and ask some friends if there is a tranny shop that they really trust in your town. It sounds like you're probably going to need professional help.

[JKPWEB]

Originally Posted by Allbert

I think your car has either the 4T40E or 4T45E transmission, depending on whether it is a 4 or 6 cylinder engine... LS probably is a 6, so that would be the 4T45E. If you're vehicle stays in 1st gear all the time, there should eventually be some sort of trouble code to give you a hint of what's wrong. If you're speedometer is working, it's probably not your speed sensor. If you still have reverse but don't have any of the other forward gears (2nd through 4th), then it sounds like your 2nd clutch is not engaging. This could be that the clutch itself is burned up (if you really do have nasty/burnt fluid, then this is a good possibility) or possibly that the 2nd clutch controls are not working. If it turns out that the clutch is burnt, you need a rebuild. If it's just the controls, then it could be as simple as a shift solenoid failure (both A and B are supposed to be OFF for 2nd, so no 2nd would mean that one is stuck ON. Solenoid A is ON and solenoid B is OFF for 1st, so could be solenoid A is staying ON) or it could be some of the downstream components in the valve body (stuck shift valve, leaky accumulator, etc.). In either case, you'd have to get to the valve body to troubleshoot and replace any of these items, and that is a pain for the 4T45E since the side cover has to come which involves a good bit of work to get to. My advice, if you want to keep this car, is to shop around and ask some friends if there is a tranny shop that they really trust in your town. It sounds like you're probably going to need professional help.

I have an issue with 4T40E 2nd gear. Stays in 1st until road speed reached 20+- level load 3500 rpm and then will shift into 3rd upon slight release of accelerator. Does not engage 2nd at all. If 2nd gear clutch pack is not the issue, what would be the possible problems...stuck valve? Thanks.