transmission question, rattling at startup

[rnj]

1995 century 3.1 104000. What does "automatic transmission pump starvation or cavitation, or a sticking pressure-regulator valve" mean. Is this something that can be remedied through fluid and filter change? The car runs fine shifts between 1-2 seems a little long, but it doesn't slam into any gears.

[richtazz]

fluid cavitation/starvatin means the pump sucked air instead of fluid. This could be caused by a blocked filter or low fluid level. Try changing the filter and the fluid that is drained from the pan (DO NOT do a flush/total fluid exchange at your car's age/mileage) and put a can of Trans-X or Seafoam trans treatment in. Also, check the vacuum line to the trans modulator for the presence of fluid. IF there is fluid present, the diaphram is split and you need a new shift modulator. This would explain the long/slow 1-2 shift (especially at part throttle shifts) and the loss of fluid. If this doesn't help, then you probably need some internal trans work.

[rnj]

thanks for the reply. I had planned on doing filter/fluid change this weekend in hopes of clogged filter being the problem. didn't know seafoam had trans. treatment. Thank You!