auto trans doesn't go

[notbange]

This is my first post here, so it might as well be a good one. I thought I had gotten rid of my problems when I sold my emerald mist metallic 94 ATX last year, but I came across an otherwise clean black '93 ATX for 300 bucks. The one major problem is that it doesn't go anywhere. The car runs great other than needing an altenator, but when it's running, there's a slight buzzing noise coming from the transmission end of the engine compartment, and after it is allowed to warm up, the car will begin to make loud grinding noises even in neutral, and will stall out. The previous owner had been driving around with seized rear calipers, and he said he had to give quite a bit of gas to get the car going. So did he burn something up? He had not replaced the calipers, and the car rolls freely, so I'm not sure if that's really what happened. I'm an auto technician, although I know little about the internal workings of an auto trans. I'm planning on having to pull out the transmission and put in a junkyard one for now and have the other one rebuilt at some point, but I'd like to know if anyone has any similar experiences with this issue. Thanks!

-Sam (i told myself i needed an after work project.)

edit: I guess it's deep jewel green, not emerald mist. Kinda wish i kept it now...

 

[hawkeye18]

you got me. You might try PMing Axianator (Adam) on the forum, he's damn near a guru on ATXs, though what with his job and new children he's pretty darn busy and only shows up here every once in a while. I hope others can chime in with more info...

 

[1995SHO9]

Sounds like the tranny is screwed........

 

[Mr Anonymous]

By your description it sounds like it could be a broken pump shaft or shredded torque converter or a combination of both.

Have you checked the tranny fluid level?

 

[yzstud]

sounds like a torque converter to me
have u checked the fluid color?
mine turned silver when my converter grenaded on my gtp
made a terrible grinding noise and stalled whenever i put it in gear

 

[notbange]

The fluid is clean and full, maybe slightly overfull but it should still move somewhere. The previous owner had told me that he had a friend rebuild the tranny a few years ago, not really sure what that means to me now. When the car is warm and begins to make the odd noises, it begins to feel like it will move somewhere, like something is trying to catch, even in neutral. you can see the front wheels trembling with the grinding noise. The car is parked out in my parking lot at work, and I was out there fiddling with it on my lunch break. No matter how much gas you give it, it does not go anywhere in any gear. Also realized that the blower fan only works on high with the auto climate control, do these things have a blower resistor or is that built into the climate control head?

 

[bubba]

Like Mr A. said it sounds like a pump bearing! Boat's ATX made the same sound after we "60k" the motor.

 

[notbange]

is the pump replacable? A coworker of mine used build transmissions in a tranny shop, although we're not the best of friends so I don't try to rely on him much for info, but he had suggested to check for pressure in the lines to see if the pump had gone bad or not, i'll have a chance to do that on friday on my day off. The converter idea had been mentioned too, and he said if I had burnt the low/reverse clutches it may cause similar symptoms.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

is the pump replacable?

Yes, but.

You would have to replace at least the valve body (the pump is part of the VB and isn't really field-replaceable) and probably the pump shaft. If it is a pump failure, there is still the problem of all the chunks and shavings of aluminum and steel that have likely made their way to every nook and cranny of the transmission by now. Even if there was no contamination, you also have the additional problems caused by a transmission operated without lubrication.

If it's just a broken pump shaft you may have better luck. As mentioned, seeing if the pump is working at all is the first step. If it is pumping, then you're looking at a rebuild. If it's not, you may be able to save it, but the first thing you should do is drop the pan and see how things look such as any metal chunks.

 

[notbange]

I guess on friday I'll go through all the basics with it. The fluid looks very clean, like it was changed recently, so I'm wondering if the previous owner changed it searching for a solution to this problem. In that case, there won't be a whole lot in the bottom of the pan, will there? I suppose I should try to get a look in the cooler and lines and whatnot and see if there are shavings hanging around. I'm also going to change the oil and check out the front end and all that good stuff, haven't had it off the ground yet. Although we did drive it to the car wash on the trailer, so it at least looks good and clean sitting out in the lot ;o)

So... are there any good sources for rebuilt SHO trannys, or known good used ones? How much should I expect to pay at a shop for rebuilding if the tranny is already out of the car for them? Like i said, it's a $300 car to me, so I'm trying not to go too crazy here. My wife will kick me out and I'll have to sleep in it if I start dumping crazy money into it, which is why I got rid of the first one...

-Sam

 

[sho'noffmtx]

i put a junkyard tranny in my car and regret it. If i were to do it again i would have just rebuild the whole thing, concidering the time i had into pulling and reinstalling. Just my .02

 

[Vnuk1]

i put a junkyard tranny in my car and regret it. If i were to do it again i would have just rebuild the whole thing, concidering the time i had into pulling and reinstalling. Just my .02

X2 if it's worth doing it's worth doing right the first time just rebuild your own that way there are no surprises once it is all back together.

 

[JRA2000TL]

My wife will kick me out and I'll have to sleep in it if I start dumping crazy money into it, which is why I got rid of the first one...

-Sam

So you got rid of the first one because it was crazy expensive and you bought a $300 one that doesn't go...and on top of that it's not just a $300 car, it's a $300 SHO...and you thought the first one was expensive :swing:

I'm just messing with ya...hope you get it running right.

 

[notbange]

All these thoughts concerning junkyard transmissions have already occured to me... I'm weighing my options.

You guys have no idea how much I wish I kept my old SHO now. It had a damn good transmission in it, would chirp the tires under full throttle into second gear. I sold it due to incredible Massachusetts rust, and it was going to need rod bearings, and I didn't think the car was worth it at the time. If I knew I was going to come across a good body and motor with less miles (148k) a year later.... *hitting head on desk*