OK, I bought a 92 stealth ES with 139K miles on it for 3000.00 and the transmission is in "limp mode" (fail safe mode) and I also had to replace the ignition switch, it was only starting after like 20 turns of the key. I just lost my job 3 days ago, I was fired for suspicion of smoking marijuana and was actually fired before the results got back, which were in fact negative. now I have no job, and a car that is broken that i will soon not be able to pay for at all if I don't get it fixed because I cant get back and fourth looking for new jobs. I am afraid and desperate. I fixed the ignition switch myself, and it now works 100%. I actually bought a 95 firebird from this man first, but it had so many hidden problems and twice the actual mileage it was supposed to have. the only reason I dealt with him again is that he accepts 100 dollars every 2 weeks until paid off and i don't have alot of money, even when i had a job. after the last payment i made on the firebird last week, he accepted it back at no refund to me and i had to start all over with the stealth. I am really pretty much out of options as far as money now, and my only hope to get back on track is to find another job but i am afraid to drive this in failsafe because im afraid i will really hurt the transmission which i feel like is probably actually fine. Please forgive me for this ultra long thread, but like I was saying I am scared and desperate. I don't know what to do next. The last payment I made on the firebird was the 1100.00 mark, and that was also 3000 dollars total cost, which I only had for 2 months. I got no credit or anything for it so now I am totally on the line for the rest of what I owe on the stealth. Please, if anyone knows anything I am willing to try anything, if I lose a way to get to work I don't know what i will do because I am in crewe VA and everything is far away. When I bought this car form him he promised me that the only thing wrong with it was the ignition switch. Now that I have no income, I can't even take it back because I have no money. Please even if i can just bypass the ecu out of this limp mode or any other way I will do it, I just know I cant keep starting off in 2nd gear. I will be patient, and I will try anything that could work. Thank you so much and if there is any way I can repay the favor Please let me know.

 

what you need to do is call him up and tell him whats going on with it, since he said the only thing that was wrong was the ignition switch. Get him to pay to get the trans out of safe mode. Then if he doesnt say the hell with it and let him have the car back. You will be in the same sittuation. Car but doesnt run right, or no car at all and you wont be having to pay for a car that isnt what the guy said.

 

oh man, i wish i could, but my god man i have no one. this is literally the only way i have to get to more job interviews, without it i have no hope. it sucks so bad but right now with no job he is calling all the shots and he knows it. 1100 dollars for the firebird that was also junk and getting no credit on that is an example of just how stupid and unorganized i am. I have no higher education, and even with a job I make very little money. my lord i feel like i am begging, but please know that i always try to help anyone i can with anything i can, i am just praying someone can help me. the more time goes by the more anxiety i am having, i just dont know what to do.

please if anyone has any ideas or even parts that could help, please pm me or post here and if I have to find money I will find it somehow i dont care if i have to clean toilets. It's that important to me. Oh on a lighter note though, with my drug test results being negative at least I will be able to find another job. I have a class A CDL for tractor trailers but not much experience (4 months). So I don't mean to sound so gloomy at least there is hope, and things could always be worse I guess.

 

Welcome to the site. I will move this thread to the Stealth section,
FF

 

thank you very very much. I appreciate any help at all very much.

 

It should have one of 3 problems. Either the output or input sensor is bad or its the speed sensor. Take it to autozone or another parts store that can read codes. And it will tell you what is bad. And just replace that sensor.

I'm assuming that sinse your in limp mode. Your stuck in 1st gear. Right?

 

no im in second gear, and i checked the ecu codes and all i had was a coil code, code 41. i fixed that but when i checked the 12 and 6 connector pins for tcu codes, i get no voltage at all. i am now almost certain that it is in the tcu. the reason i say almost is that i found 4 connectors up at the top left of the engine right by the old ignition coil looking thing and they dont go to anything, but they do have voltage, so im thinking they must be needed for something. when connecting to the diagnostic connector for ecu codes its a 92 so it cant be checked by auto zone or any place like that, but i know how and im getting all short deflections on the multimeter which means all is perfect. Also, i disconnected the battery for 30 minutes while working on it so limp mode should have at least taken a few seconds to engage but its instant just always in fail safe. thats what happens if you disconnect power to the tcu.

 

I would say check the capacitors inside the ecu. They are known to go out in the first generation 3/s's. And did he tell you the tranny is in limp mode? because to me that sounds like bs, i have owned and worked on these cars since i was 15 and never ran into a limp mode on a tranny. I would start by checking the ecu...common problem in getting them to start and stay running. If that doesnt do it check all the relays, i know i replaced my mfi relay that controls the fuel pump...that might be the issue. A simple google search should yield owner manuals that show all tear downs...Another good place to post would be on 3si.org. they are all very knowledgeable and might have members in your area that might be able to help...hope this helps you out in someway

 

ecu has NOTHING to do with the transmission. mfi relay would have NOTHING to do with the trans. No engine problem will have ANYTHING to do with the trans.

Could be a sensor issue, could be a trans computer issue.

When you take it out of overdrive (Push the overdrive-off button on the shifter assembly), does it shift and drive just fine? If so, your end clutch is bad. ~$90 part.

Lube up each individual ring with trans oil prior to install. Jack up the passenger side wheel, take the wheel off. Take off the wheel well cover, turn the hub so you can access the trans end case. Take it off. Pull out the end clutch pack, install new end clutch pack. Clean the edge of the trans end cap, and the edge of the casing COMPLETELY. Apply new RTV sealant, bolt back together. Reinstall wheel well cover and wheel.

 

i also have a 92 ES and wanted to know if the 5spd tranny in a 94 SOHC was the same?