I've been looking for some advice (not from a shop who tells me I need a new tranny) and stumbled on this forum

Anyway my poor old Vanny (187000+miles) has a leak in it's transmission. I have the new seal for it. Just waiting for a mechanic friend (and big rig driver) to get back and put it in. Goes thru a quart of fluid everytime you take it out anywhere.

So my question is...Can a missing seal cause the loss of 3rd gear and overdrive?

It ran fine up til about a month ago. We then drove it during a move from Eastern Pennsylvania to almost Dallas Tx with no troubles. Those started when we got here. Replaced the Fuel pump, cap, rotor, coil, plugs, wires, fuel filter under side door. It runs great when it wants too. But now it doesn't want to go up hills and wants to drive around at 30 miles an hour. Which is ok in town, but my husband works 40 miles out of town and the speed limit on the interstate he has to drive on is 70. Vanny's our only transportation.

Thanks to anyone who can help me

 

When the fluid gets low enough, the tranny keeps you in 1 and 2 to protect itself.

You'll have to replace the seal, fill up the tranny and reset the computer to clear the code.

 

I'm having a friend do it this coming weekend. But how do I reset the computer?
The friend (Wayne) said to clean the sensors inside the bellhousing...Is that it?




Thank-you...

 

Do you have an SES or Check Engine light on while driving? If you do, then you have to clear the code, usually done with a code reader or by disconnecting the battery for at least 1/2 an hour.

 

No check engine light on...or SES light...

When it's all done I might just unhook the battery for half hour just to be on the safe side. Like I read on another thread, the light may be burnt out.

 

Yup, the bulb might be burned out or removed, as in the case of my '90 (couldn't figure out why I was in limp mode with no code).

 

Get the lamp fixed very soon. For the PCM may have a code generated that you won't be able to pull from it.

You will need to remove the top of the dash over the instrument cluster. While it is removed check the bulbs in the "Message Center" (to the right of your gauges and left of the radio unit) for burnt bulbs as well. Then pull the screws holding the cluster into the dash frame. Flip the cluster over and turn the bulb holder counter clock wise 1/8 to 1/4 turn and pull it out. Replace the lamp and reattach.

 

Well we pulled the pan off the transmission and checked the fluid...Turns out I do need a new tranny...Pan full of silver shavings...UGGGG

Oh well...Now I just have to pull the $$$ from my shoe for the "new" tranny...

Thanks for all the help. That would be the reason that the check engine light never came on... No burnt out bulbs...either...