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2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem


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raiden22003
Novice

Oct 29, 2010, 10:36 PM

Post #1 of 8 (15975 views)
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In

 I have recently purchaced a 2001 Grand Prix with 148k miles for 500 dollars as a project car not knowing what was wrong with it. Turns out the 3.1 motor had warped heads and water in motor and the motor and would not even turn over with a fully charged battery due to the rust in the piston walls. Around 220 dollars later I have Made all the necessary repairs to the motor and it sounds good but now I have noticed a problem with the transmission. Well the first time I got the motor running I thought I had a bad trans because the car would not move when I put it in any of the gears. It turns out it just takes a little revving and it will catch and feel like it slams into gear. from this point the car seems to run fine and shift into all gears like normal and I can turn off the car and turn it on and it still works normally. Problem is if I don't use the car for a while, say like until the next morning and go to start the car it will do the exact same thing. I have done some research online about what the problem can be but still no luck. I would like to save this transmission if i can. I have thrown enough money at this thing and I was really looking forward to getting 1500 for it with the slick chrome wheels but not with this problem. I hope this fix is not too expensive. Any help would be great.


(This post was edited by raiden22003 on Oct 29, 2010, 10:43 PM)


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Oct 30, 2010, 9:15 AM

Post #2 of 8 (15964 views)
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In

It sounds like you have some internal problems going on with the trans...

You can try a service and put in a additive that may help the seals a bit... This may make it better or worse, it's a gamble......

I would try TransX but this would be at your own risk.........


raiden22003
Novice

Oct 31, 2010, 8:06 AM

Post #3 of 8 (15954 views)
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In

Well yesterday my brother had problems with his buick century trans. Its the exact same trans and he took it to someone and they added some additives. It only made it worse and it never caught gear after that. His symptoms were bucking and jerking before that. Would a clogged transmission flter cause it to shift hard on initial shift, then run fine after that. Or I was thinking maybe a bad PCS.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Oct 31, 2010, 9:34 AM

Post #4 of 8 (15950 views)
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In

It's possible a filter could be causing some of these symptoms. The problem here is if the trany has been neglected to the point where a filter is causing shifting problems, then there is more going on in the trany and it doesn't have long to live.....

If the problems are mechanical & not electrical, using additives is a kill or cure type gamble. I've seen people use some with some good success and I've also seen them take the trany all the way out. Of course with tranys like yours & your brothers, I've seen just a service cause them to completely fail as well. This is why most shops won't service transmissions with shifting problems or burnt fluid.

You have to realize even if the additive helps, you only buying yourself a bit more time.........The days are number for that transmission....


raiden22003
Novice

Nov 3, 2010, 7:39 AM

Post #5 of 8 (15928 views)
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In

Ok maybe it is internal. after looking aroung the internet one guy says "The problem is an internal lip seal to the input clutch, in the input housing. As they get old, they shrink and get hard, therefore, they do not seal to the housing the way they should. This problem will cause the input clutch pressure to bleed off and not apply the clutches. Once the fluid starts to warm up, the seal expands enough to seal and will usually be fine until the fluid is cold again" and sure enough it shifted just fine after I waited about a minute. But if this is true why does it it not shift in any of the gears at all? like reverse, 1st ect. is the input clutch linked with all the other gears?


(This post was edited by raiden22003 on Nov 3, 2010, 7:43 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 3, 2010, 7:52 AM

Post #6 of 8 (15923 views)
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In

It really doesn't matter what the specific reason is once a transmission starts slipping or not moving when it's full of fluid. The cure is the same, rebuild the transmission.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



bbazookajoe
User

Nov 6, 2010, 3:26 PM

Post #7 of 8 (15913 views)
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In

Since step one is to always eliminate the obvious (and easy repairs),
1) Have you checked the trans fluid level?
Since trans fluid expands when warm (which is why it has to be checked when warm) it's possible it is just once moving but too little when cold.
2) Are you sure the fluid is the right type? I've seen shops and auto parts stores steer people wrong. check with the manufacturer to make sure.
3) I've had excellent luck with Lucas trans additive. I've never used any others. That stuff is thick as molasses. I bought a car with a bad trans that would not move no matter how high it was reved. I poured it in and drove the thing home 50 miles. I drove it for two weeks until a chunk of the spring that broke (the reason it was slipping so bad) worked it's way up past the oil filter and broke the gear in the oil pump.
4) If you do add something, you have to tell the prospective buyer. Karma's a bi!@# if you are.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 6, 2010, 3:53 PM

Post #8 of 8 (15909 views)
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Trans problem Sign In


Quote
I've had excellent luck with Lucas trans additive. I've never used any others. That stuff is thick as molasses. I bought a car with a bad trans that would not move no matter how high it was reved. I poured it in and drove the thing home 50 miles. I drove it for two weeks until a chunk of the spring that broke (the reason it was slipping so bad) worked it's way up past the oil filter and broke the gear in the oil pump.


There is no such thing as "Mechanic in a Can". You cannot fix anything with chemicals. They are designed to swell all the rubber which just creates another whole set of problems in the future. Fix it right or the cost just goes up when you finally do.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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