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1997 Lumina won't accelerate after stopping


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Zza
New User

Apr 12, 2011, 12:19 PM

Post #1 of 5 (3847 views)
1997 Lumina won't accelerate after stopping Sign In

Hello. I've been looking around this site and have found a lot of useful threads. Until now, I have found the answer to most of my problems. But now I had to actually make an account and post for help.

I have a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 3.4L V6 with about 120k miles on it. I've replaced the transmission a little over 6 months ago. Since a couple of weeks ago, I have been getting some problem trying to accelerate from a stop. I'll be driving fine with no sign of a problem. Then, after stopped at a red light, the light turns green and I press the gas to accelerate. But all I get is revving as if the car was in neutral. I used to be able to temporarily fix it by shifting to Neutral and back into Drive, but now I have to shift all the way up to Park and then back down to Drive in order for the car to accelerate when I press the gas. After this it runs smooth again for a couple days until it happens again. My warranty on the new transmission installation expired a few weeks ago so I really hope it's not that serious. I'd greatly appreciate any help that comes my way. Thank you in advance.


way2old
Veteran / Moderator
way2old profile image

Apr 12, 2011, 4:29 PM

Post #2 of 5 (3829 views)
Re: 1997 Lumina won't accelerate after stopping Sign In

Ifg moving the shifter makes it work, I would suspect the shifter is either out of adjustment or loose somewhere. Not expert on Chevy. Just something to check first.



Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 13, 2011, 5:23 AM

Post #3 of 5 (3822 views)
Re: 1997 Lumina won't accelerate after stopping Sign In

Agree with way2old as usual. Try a lower forward gear and if that always works to get going then I think adjustment is high on the list to be slightly off,

T



Zza
New User

Apr 13, 2011, 10:22 AM

Post #4 of 5 (3814 views)
Re: 1997 Lumina won't accelerate after stopping Sign In

Now that you guys mention that, since I bought the car I noticed the shifter display (don't know its official name but it's the thing that shows you if you're on park, neutral, reverse, etc) is always slightly off. It always highlights the one to the left of what I'm actually on. Example: When I'm in Drive, the little yellow light is highlighting Neutral, when i'm on manual overdrive it highlights regular drive, and when i'm on park, you can't even see the light because park is the furthest to the left (my shifter is on the steering wheel and the display is under the tachometer shown horizontally).

And I've tried all forward gears and they've all done it some time or another.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Apr 16, 2011, 12:48 AM

Post #5 of 5 (3784 views)
Re: 1997 Lumina won't accelerate after stopping Sign In

Does there feel like there is some slop when you move the shifter? Most all of these vehicles attach the cable end to a plastic or rubber bushing on the arm of the transmission. This is a dirt cheap part. Should the bushing dry rot or otherwise deteriorate it will not move the shifter as much as you move the lever. Not saying this is your problem, none of us here are looking at the car. But check the simple things first. See what there is to see and let us know what you find. many people read archive threads when they have similar problems with similar vehicles and the solution to the problem with your car gives them an idea what to look for on theirs.






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