My only vehicle is an old clunker 1999, Pontiac Transports Van. The last couple of years because of health conditions I rarely drive it very far and mostly in town area. Last fall during trapping season, I had one small line that was about 25 miles away. I noticed after about 15 miles, when it shifted through the gears, after I would stop at a light etc., it would jerk each time it went into another gear. I have checked the fluids several times, after being told it was probably just low fluids and it is right on the full mark as far as I can tell. It is very clean and clear, so can't see it, like with oil.

Does any one have any idea what be the cause of it doing this? I don't have the money to put a new transmission in it, so it is something simple.


Thank You,

Garry-

When is the last time you changed the fluid and the filter in the pan?

I never thought of that, but it would have been about 9 years ago. It doesn't discolor like oil does over time? I know NOTHING about auto mechanics.

Garry-

If you're just checking the fluid with the transmission cold and not warmed up, it could be quite low, you probably already know that but just trying to be helpful. Drive around a few minutes then check in park with engine running, unless your manual says otherwise.

X 2! A fluid and filter change may be all you need.

You might be low on transmission fluid. Like the other poster said, check it when it is warmed up.

Torque converter look up maybe?

Educate me, does a transmission filter change still involve dropping the pan like it did 30 years ago?

Some do. On some newer automatic transmissions you cannot add fluid.

Mine did the same thing! And it was the torque converter.

On a 2015 Silverado 1500, yes. Also involves dropping the ****ing exhaust system just to get clearance to get the pan out. Gotta love them engineers.

Not knowing anything basically about engines, enlighten me on what is a torque converter, where it is and what it does and how much that might cost.

G-

Price a used trans and torque converter is would not make sense to pull the trans and replace parts when you could just change it out to a better known trans and converter. Not a big deal for some but overwhelming if you have never done one.

Nope they suck, highly polluting oil, fail too often

If your transmission is having slipping-type issues, DO NOT CHANGE THE OIL AND FILTER. A lot of times the grit in the old fluid is the only thing holding it together. If you change the fluid and get rid of the grit, the plates and clutches may not have enough friction to hold and you'll end up with a box full of neutrals. More than once I've done a trans flush on an old vehicle with nasty fluid only to hop in afterwards and through it in reverse and it won't move. If you keep up with fluid and filter changes from the beginning, it'll be fine, but if you wait until it's having problems, the damage is already done. No magic potion or clean oil and put back worn metal and clutch material. If you're having issues, your best bet is to just replace it.

One time when I worked at a Ford dealer along the interstate, a guy traveling across the country came in with his F350 having trans problems, and wanted the fluid changed, he thought we could do it real quick and he could be on his way. I tried to explain this issue to him, but he didn't want to hear it. To make matters worse, we closed in less than an hour. I did the flush, and of course afterword the vehicle wouldn't move at all. Drive and reverse were neutral. The guy was (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman). He had to get a motel for the night and I put a trans in it two days later.

(and a torque convertor is the auto trans equivalent of a clutch....it's what allows the engine to keep spinning when you stop without stalling, and transfers power from the engine to the trans. Big donut shaped thing. Think of it has two fans facing each other. One fan has power and blows blows into the other fan, making the second fan spin. Works just like that, except with oil instead of air and the blades are engineered to be very efficient.)

Thanks for the explanation, Loose goose.

Auto and manual transmission technician for 30 + years. It is rare that a fluid change will help anything, maybe pre overdrive with cloth filters. Your trans most likely has a worn separator plate in the valve body, a common issue. A check ball wears enough to pop through the hole it seals. I would either find another ride, find a trans shop, explain your situation. Maybe they can locate a good used trans to install. If a salvage car is wrecked and un drivable, a good chance trans is ok, if motor is blown another good chance the trans is ok. A good trans man can smell the fluid or remove the pan, bust open the filter and tell the odds of the trans being usable. Most trans have some small debris in the pan, many have a magnet also. Also buy the cooler flush kit at a parts store, or by pass the radiator cooler and install a aftermarket finned aluminum cooler in front of radiator. This stuff adds up kinda fast, that is why I try to prepare you. You have a friend that is a gear head and works on cars that could swap out a trans?

Well ,.... thank everyone for the info … Scares the H ...eck out of me … I tried to find one of my old guys … but they are all DEAD, except one and he is so crippled up he can't do anything. I never learned anything about cars … our family never had one until I was old enough to drive and bought an old 49 Ford 6-banger and it of course had a manual clutch. Nothing auto in those days. We had our gang of guys that was only a phone call away when you needed something … some could work on cars … some do electrical … some plumbing … some building from wood and all could drink beer and hand the others tools. I could do it all except cars … and was always helping someone else … now those days and guys are all gone … and it makes one feel like they are standing alone out in the middle of a desert, not knowing which way to go. The choice between dying old and alone or dying younger with a group of f around ….doesn't look much like a choice to me.


Thanks again ………. Garry-

Check the fluid level after it warms up. Driving it is the best way to do that. Check it while the engine is running in park. Let us know what you see on the dip stick.
Everything else mentioned already is premature until you do this.

You know Actor after rereading your original post, it brought to mind our daughters car. It had rough shifting after warming up and it was faulty solenoids in the trans. We never repaired it though. It was a Buick but I cannot remember the year.