Sorry if this is a rather basic query, but I was on my way home from work this afternoon and lost my transmission on the steep hill leading up to my home. Transmission wouldn't shift into any higher than second, white smoke coming from rear of the car. Managed to pull over into a little side driveway and after I quit freaking out, popped the hood. Judging by the smell, the volume of liquid coating everything, and the remnants of liquid still collected on the yellow dipstick, it appears that my transmission fluid erupted out from the dipstick. Buddy of mine says that it sounds like I blew my clutch pack, I think he called it, that's why its not shifting into third. Is there any truth to this before I spend several hundred to get it done in a shop? I am not confidant in my ability to replace the clutch myself, even if I did have the tools to do so. Is there any chance that this is something other than the clutch? I did notice shifting hesitation on the highway about ten minutes before I turned off the highway and hit the hill leading to my home, but I have no way of knowing if I started losing fluid around the time I had some shifting hesitation or if I didn't loose it until I'd started up the hill. I guess I'm just not entirely convinced that my clutch going out would cause trans fluid to come out from where it did, and would appreciate a second opinion. My mechanic uncle is currently busy, so I came to the next best place I could think of.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the 2nd Gen Neon forum
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Check for trouble code clues & post All code Numbers as they can help focus a trouble shoot.

Check the tranny fluid level. If you had a leak & the fluid level got low, it could have become aerated from the tranny pump also sucking in & mixing air with the fluid, causing it to foam & the tranny pump wouldn't like trying to pump & pressurize aerated fluid & it could have also become overheated from the clutches slipping & spit up some of the aerated fluid.

SO, check the fluid level & top it up with ATF+4 & check for leaks with the engine at idle. If no leaks, tidy up the engine compartment & go for a short street drive to see if all seems well.
Some beginning thoughts for consideration, let us know what you find & how it goes.

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