2000 Olds. Alero: 6cyl.-3.4/68,000mi./Automatic(No indicator lights on)

I'm new to this forum, and haven't gotten a response to my question on any other. I'm hoping someone will help me out here. Don't know much about cars but I just had a friend fix my lower intake gasket because it was leaking coolant. A week before I brought it to him...The car started to not shift past 2nd. gear and wouldn't go over 50mph. (at a high RPM) I asked him to take a look because he had worked for GM and has done transmissions before. He changed the plugs and tried to shift it manually and he said it wouldn't go to into overdrive. He said he didn't know what was wrong because he didn't have the equipment anymore to properly diagnos it. He then recommended a trans. shop to take it in to.
I dropped it off over the weekend and they called me monday letting me know he test drove it and he said it is definitely an internal problem and that he would have to take it apart to find out what was wrong...($450) I asked him what it would cost to re-build, he said anywhere from $1895-$2400 (would deduct $450 from overall cost) I was just confused on why he wouldn't run a diagnostic check on it first before taking it apart...Is this the proper process for transmission problems or should I take it somewhere to get is diagnosed for free? (ie; Cottman Trans. does a free diagnostic check) My friend also advised me to buy a used transmission and he could put it in. Is that a good idea? I found one for $345 includes shipping with 21,000mi. How long do these last?
Any advice would be great guys, and thanks in advance to anyone willing to help me....
Sincerely,
ShaneO

There's a chance something was disturbed when the gasket was replaced so I would look at what had to move or be removed to do that job. If the trans fluid looks discolored that is a sign of a worn transmission and an overhaul would be the likely fix.

There are so many controls now that it could be getting bad information about the load on the car and it thinks it needs to be in a lower gear. Check for anything disconnected or visually wrong.

Check fluid color as it should be red or pinkish and not dark or burnt looking - test on white paper with a drop from the dipstick.

If all looks good I would get a second opinion. If you want to try a wild maybe fix you could try disconnecting the battery neg cable for a few minutes and when reconnected it just might behave again. There were some Chrystler products that that worked for a fix when computer got confused and I can't say for this car.

Good luck. A used trans could be ok if you have a good known history on it and it is an exact match and the job is carefully done -- your call on used,

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/