92 lesabre transmission no 3rd gear

[spinne1]

Hello, I have a 92 Lesabre with a shifting problem. Or rather a non-shifting problem. It gradually started acting funny with slippage and such and now it simply will not shift into 3rd gear. It shifts into 2nd at about 15-20 mph, then if in drive will simply whine until 75 mph at which point I back off the pedal as I see it is not going to shift. If in overdrive, it will shift from 2nd to 4th at around 55 mph if I let off the accelerator at that point.

I've eliminated the vacuum shift modulator by switching the part off my other 92, which did not change the problem at all. My fluid is brown, but full. The car has 194,000 miles on it. The tranny is original with no previous work done to it.

I have a chance to get a used tranny that shifts well that has 100,000 miles on it for $240 shipped. I can install it myself (but I don't want to, you know what I mean?).

What do you think? Is my old tranny dead? Should I install another one? Or junk the car and start over? (no, I don't have enough money to replace the car right now)

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by spinne1

Hello, I have a 92 Lesabre with a shifting problem. Or rather a non-shifting problem. It gradually started acting funny with slippage and such and now it simply will not shift into 3rd gear. It shifts into 2nd at about 15-20 mph, then if in drive will simply whine until 75 mph at which point I back off the pedal as I see it is not going to shift. If in overdrive, it will shift from 2nd to 4th at around 55 mph if I let off the accelerator at that point.

I've eliminated the vacuum shift modulator by switching the part off my other 92, which did not change the problem at all. My fluid is brown, but full. The car has 194,000 miles on it. The tranny is original with no previous work done to it.

I have a chance to get a used tranny that shifts well that has 100,000 miles on it for $240 shipped. I can install it myself (but I don't want to, you know what I mean?).

What do you think? Is my old tranny dead? Should I install another one? Or junk the car and start over? (no, I don't have enough money to replace the car right now)

I just put a tranny in my 97. I lost every gear above 2nd and didn't have reverse. I picked up a used tranny for 430.00. I installed it in a weeks time working on it when I could inbetween work and other duties life handed me. I'm happy with the tranny I got. It shifts well. I droped half of the subframe and took the tranny out from the bottom. Pull the dipstick tube off (so you don't have to lift the car so high to clear it) and fill the hole so no dirt gets in.

If your fluid is brown that is why the tranny went out...not to mention the almost 200,000 miles on it. I was told by a tranny repair guy that if a tranny had regular fluid changed he'd be out of work, or at least would be doing less.

I'd get the tranny and put it in. Get new seals and a filter kit. On my 97 the gasket was reusable. I'm not sure on the 92.

Regards

Dan

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

Buy a new vaccum modulator. Its aroud $17 dollars. I think the one Auto Zone sells is better than Advances own.

Make sure u have no vaccum leaks. Listen for them. Or spray brake cleaner on the hoses while the engine is running. See if u see a leak.
I would also change the fluid and filter.

You need to know or find out if your problem is electronic or mechanical.