Tranny Problem

[Blackout99]

i have a 99 pontiac formula A4

i was driving last friday and my car started slipping out of gear at about 25 mph, it would just drop out n my rpms would jump up cuz i was trying to accelerate but it wouldnt go ne faster. it went in and out of that for a little n when i got into stop n go traffic it started vibrating pretty bad when i would try to go from a stop, then it would jerk when it finally caught, i made it to the entrance ramp on the highway and it dropped out again n i went to a complete roll, so i pulled over and tried to figure out what was wrong, i went through park, r, n, and d, and it wouldnt drop into any of them. i turned my car off and back on and it worked again, i made it about 15 miles to a neighborhood and the same thing happened, then i turned it off and back on, went about 2 more miles to my neighborhood and it happened again, and i repeated and finally got it home, could this be my rear end gears? or what is it? i appreciate any help i can get

[Orcus79]

It's not the rear end cause restarting wouldn't temporarily fix the issue. Check the fluid level and colour, should be pinkish. It that checks out chances are the clutch packs are shot or your converter isn't locking up properly.

[performabuilt]

I would say that its either low on fluid or the trans has failed, If its not low on fluid then what happening is clutch material or metal has accumulated to such a level that the filter is becoming clogged with trash from a failure and blocking fluid flow to the pump, Then you have loss of pressure and the resulting no movement. Changing the filter might buy you a little time but ultimately I would say your in the market for a transmission real soon.

[Blackout99]

ok well i just check the fluid n it was at the right level n it was a little pink but looked a little brownish to, i wasnt hoping to hear id need a new transmission but if it comes down to that im probly gonna get one from u performabuilt cuz those r the best prices ive seen for them

[Orcus79]

If it was brownish, it was over heated. Chances are if the damage isn't too bad you might get a little more life out of it if you do a full fluid flush and change the filter. Also get an aux trans cooler installed they are a great help in extending the life span of a transmission.

[Blackout99]

how much more life? cuz if im just gonna have to replace it sometime down the line id rather just do it now n not have to worry about it acting up when im out on the road somewhere, any idea how much labor would cost to swap the tranny out for a new one?

[Orcus79]

Probably not much longer, if its been over heated, bet insurance is a rebuild or replacement. As for cost I don;t know, I just know it won't be cheap. Probably looking at a couple hundred plus the cost of the tranny.

[Blackout99]

ok, thats gonna suck but thanks for your help, i appreciate it

[Orcus79]

No problem. Maybe one of the more experianced members here could give you a better idea.

On the plus side, it will be a good opportunity to get a better built trans and have an oil cooler installed.