2000 Malibu - 1-2 shift flare

[barry505]

I have a 2000 Malibu with about 95,000 miles on it. A couple thousand miles ago I started having trouble with the transmission. If I have it over approx. half throttle, the 1-2 shift is very slow, enough so that I have to let off the gas and let it shift. All the other shifts are normal, torque converter lock-up is fine, and it doesn't slip in any gear. The fluid is full, right at the side plug with the engine running. Anyone have any similar problems?
Thanks

[fritcr]

My 97 did this and I had to put a new tranny in it. It will keep getting worse and eventually not shift at all by itself. I found that I could put the car in 1st then manually click up through the gears and it would work better but I finally got scared and had a used tranny put in it from a salvage yard becuase I didn't want to spend the $$ to put a new one in.
Rob

[RT87]

I have the same problem with a 2000 Malibu 3.1 every 4 or 5 months. When it happens, I add 1/4 quart of ATF and the problem goes away. I can't explain it, there are no external leaks, but it works.

[wymi]

Originally Posted by RT87

I have the same problem with a 2000 Malibu 3.1 every 4 or 5 months. When it happens, I add 1/4 quart of ATF and the problem goes away. I can't explain it, there are no external leaks, but it works.

Is the trans low on fluid when u have to add?

[RT87]

It might be, but without a dipstick, it is tough to tell. The book procedure for checking trans fluid requires the car to be fully warm and running while sitting level on a lift (or jackstands). This is not convenient to do.

The trans acts just like the trans in my old 79 firebird. About every 18 months enough trans fluid dripped from the rear seal that the trans would flare when cold. Once the fluid warmed it had expanded enough to prevent cavitation and the trans shifted fine. When the trans flared, it was my clue to check the dipstick. Every time, the fluid would be at the bottom of the normal range on the dipstick and adding a few ounces of fluid solved the problem.

The malibu acts just the same way. That is my experience.

[wymi]

I can just lay on the ground and reach the little check plug. It's a 7 or 8mm, I can't remember right now, been a while since I changed it. I just have my friend slowly add fluid through the fill hole while the motor is warmed up and running until it just runs out of the check hole.