Flutter, shutter, skip, ~ minor annoyance

[songkrai]

1998 Lumina 4 door sedan. Base model. 77,000 miles. No accidents.

Very good condition. Starts and runs good.

But driving above 40 MPH on level road, there is a very slight, minor, stuttering. Almost like a skip. Or a transmission slip. Or a minor jerking. Constant. Accelerate up hill and it disappears. Coasting, it disappears.

No code lights on. Is it fuel related? Electrical? Transmission?

Is there any way - any tester - to diagnose this at a garage? Idles perfectly.

[richtazz]

At 77k, you're nearing the tune-up interval (don't believe that 100k crap). Many stutters/skips are cured with new plugs, wires, and a fuel filter. Since the speed at which this occurs is at the low range of the torque converter lock-up threshold, it lugs the engine causing the sputter. If a tune-up doesn't help, then you may have a trans issue.

[songkrai]

Thanks to all who looked here.

I recently obtained this 1998 Lumina 4 door sedan from the original owner who purchased this new at the local Chevrolet dealer. The original owner is a 77 year old woman who cannot drive anymore. I purchased from her thru her son.

I took this clean, no rust, used automobile to the Chevrolet Mr. GoodWrench and had them check car and check all codes. It is truely amazing what shows up on the handheld code computer. I was with mechanic the whole time. Although some codes were off at times (memory) no codes were out of range now.

The bottom line. For an estimate of $3,000.00 plus, they will tear apart the automatic transmission and look for a 'clutch' or anything else they may find wrong in the transmission.

Note: the trans fluid has already been changed by my local mechanic. An additive was added.

Although the car runs and drives very good. The flutter/skip/slip is slight. The car may go another 100,000 miles before it gets worse. Or just a few miles. I am not taking any chances. The car is for sale.

There is absolutely no excuse for an automatic transmission to go "bad" at 77,000 miles driven by a little old lady (with no children left at home). Just the little old lady as driver.

I will sell this car at first opportunity. This will be my last Chevrolet automobile. Hello 'Japan' for any automobiles in the future.

And . . . I have a 1990 Chevrolet 1500 2WD still running strong at 135,000 miles with no major issues or problems. 4.3 liter. Standard transmission. Original clutch replaced at the 15 year mark. Original (aftermarket) air conditioning still running strong. Runs, drives, straight and solid.

Good Bye Chevrolet automobiles.