Transmission Time Again

[Opie Knievel]

Well, things were starting to go good so I guess it was time for something to break again. In the past 2 weeks I have replaced the water pump, rear springs and shocks on the Monte Carlo. It was running and driving the best it has since I've owned it, until last night.

I was on my way home from work and 2 dogs ran out into the road. I crammed on the brakes to try not to hit them and I still bumped one of them. The dog must not have been too badly hurt because it ran away. I checked the car and couldn't find any damage so I continued on my way to find that the transmission wouldn't shift into Drive. Great.... A couple more miles and it wouldn't go into Second. I made it up my driveway in First gear. The fluid was at the correct level. This morning I messed with it for a few minutes and at first it went into gear but a few minutes later it wouldn't pull at all.

Now I guess I'm gonna have to figure out what I want to do to fix it. I can get a used replacement for $250 with a 90 day warranty. That's what this transmission is, a used replacement and it lasted about a year. I can get it rebuilt by the same guy who built the one in my truck for around $425. He gives a 1 year, 12,000 mile warranty if I remember correctly. And then there's what I really want in the long run anyway, a manual transmission. The pedals and all the other stuff to make it work will be a challenge to find though.

I'm getting kind of discouraged with all the bad luck I've been having lately. I haven't decided which way to handle this yet and money is really tight so this might take a little while to get fixed. I needed to vent and if anyone has any suggestions I'll listen.

 

[ZZ4CutlaSS]

I would check to see if your Vacume line at the Modulator valve came unplugged first. Had that happend to me before.

 

[Opie Knievel]

I would check to see if your Vacume line at the Modulator valve came unplugged first. Had that happend to me before.

That caused it to not pull at all?

 

[Texas82GP]

Opie,

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I'm not sure how a panic stop would k/o the transmission. Give it another look to make sure something didn't jar loose like the vacuum line to the modulator or the shift linkage or kickdown. If the trans is in fact dead, since you are on a tight budget and you want a manual in the future, I would just go with the used transmission for $250. I don't see you finding one much cheaper than that unless someone on here has one they want out of their garage and they are close to you. You can swap that trans in your driveway in a day and get the car back on the road. Silver lining: The body of the car isn't torn up and it didn't strand you. You didn't have to tow it. I say fix it for cheap and move on. Save for the manual conversion later. There's no cheap way to put a stick in these cars, unless if you stumble on a cheap parts car with everything there in good shape which is unlikely. Good luck with it.

 

[Opie Knievel]

Opie,

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I'm not sure how a panic stop would k/o the transmission. Give it another look to make sure something didn't jar loose like the vacuum line to the modulator or the shift linkage or kickdown. If the trans is in fact dead, since you are on a tight budget and you want a manual in the future, I would just go with the used transmission for $250. I don't see you finding one much cheaper than that unless someone on here has one they want out of their garage and they are close to you. You can swap that trans in your driveway in a day and get the car back on the road. Silver lining: The body of the car isn't torn up and it didn't strand you. You didn't have to tow it. I say fix it for cheap and move on. Save for the manual conversion later. There's no cheap way to put a stick in these cars, unless if you stumble on a cheap parts car with everything there in good shape which is unlikely. Good luck with it.

You're right, it could have been worse.

I'm wondering about the modulator. I thought it mainly controlled shift points by vacuum. I didn't think it would affect whether or not the transmission would pull. I'm no transmission expert though. I'll check it out better tonight. I'm thinking that the emergency stop and the transmission going out at the same time is just a coincidence.

 

[Bar50]

What transmission is in your car now?

200
250
250C
350
350C
200R4
700R4
Powerglide

Good fluid level and it being bright red would make me look a little harder.

Modulator valve or vacuum line
200 the governor is pretty weak and will break...it does happen on others...but not as readily.

 

[Opie Knievel]

What transmission is in your car now?

200
250
250C
350
350C
200R4
700R4
Powerglide

Good fluid level and it being bright red would make me look a little harder.

Modulator valve or vacuum line
200 the governor is pretty weak and will break...it does happen on others...but not as readily.

Sorry, I forgot to include that little bit of info. It's a TH350. Supposed to be from a '79 Corvette originally.

 

[Bar50]

Will it still back up?

 

[Opie Knievel]

Will it still back up?

It wouldn't this morning. It always had a hesitation going into reverse since I got it. Seals bad on the reverse piston?

 

[565bbchevy]

I would say if it does end up being the trans for whatever reason then if you have the money I would go with the rebuilt trans since apparently you like how your truck trans was rebuilt and it sounds like your manual trans swap is a long ways from happening.
You could buy the used one and it could last a year or 91 days and at that point you will have already paid for a rebuilt trans which being a th350 it will probably last the life of the car if rebuilt right.