Hey everyone.

For about a year now my van has had trouble shifting when I start it up after letting it sit for a while. Usually overnight or after work.

It won't shift at all, into drive, first or reverse. If I'm parked on a hill, it tends to roll with the slope. After about five minutes the car will clunk into gear and drive normal.

I've checked the tranny fluid level before and it was fine.

So far, this hasn't seemed like anything more than an inconvenience, but I've decided I should attempt to locate the problem.

I'm assuming the only solution will be a new tranny, in which case I will just be getting a new car (a '93 transport with 180,000 miles on it doesn't seem too deserving of a new tranny).

Also recently started noticing a slight chugging feeling when I'm accelerating as if I'm running out of gas. I assume this is unrelated, but- it's additional information if it helps.

Thoughts are appreciated and thanks in advance,

Mike

 

The seals are leaking internally. True its probably rebuild time, and I usually dont do this.......But Slick 50 trans treatment , or Trans honey, or some other "Garbage In a Bottle", That will "Thicken" your fluid will probably help Tide you over. Again There is no substitute for a rebuild, But it may buy you a bit of time to locate another Form of transport.----No pun Intended..

 

Thanks for the reply.

I didn't even think about using Trans Honey or any other treatment, but I suppose it would make sense.

Two questions, though.

If that's the case, shouldn't the tranny fluid level be going down? I havn't watched it enough to trend it, but every time I've checked it's been within limits.

And- would changing the tranny fluid help or cause it to get worse?


Thanks again,

Mike

 

The key word in Uncle's post was "internally"; meaning the pressurized fluid is, in some cases, taking a shortcut inside the tranny housing. The fluid stays inside, just doesn't go where it's supposed to go.

You'll get opinions both ways on changing the fluid. The problem with new fluid is it may dissolve some gunk in critical locations and lead to more internal leakage. Either way, it's on borrowed time.

 

I guess it would seem that my best course of action would be to get some Tranny Honey and see where I stand after that.

Thanks for the replys, guys.

Mike