After reading the other threads about automatic transmission issues in 4th gens, I have decided that I need to make my own thread to better target my issue. It's a 1997 SE with 120K on the reel. I changed the oil on Tuesday (so it wouldn't be an oil pressure thing) and no dash lights are on other than the CEL has been on since about September for an O2 sensor.

Just before Christmas I was driving home from school and was pulling out of a busy intersection and floored the car. (Just for some background, I am not that aggresive of a driver, I have never done rolling shifts from R to D and no neutral drops or any of that stupid crap in the year that I have owned my car.) Now back to the issue, I was on the gas pretty good when I felt my car bog down and begin it's usually smooth transition into 3rd gear. But this time, it didn't shift into third, it revved way high (like 4.5-5K) before it hit into third really hard. Now it has had that issue until tonight I was doing the same thing, coming out of an intersection on a yellow light I gave it some juice, and this time, instead of even shifting at 4.5-5, it revved until 6K when it slowly accelerated to 35-40mph.

From that point on for the remainder of my 40 min ride home, the car wouldn't go above 43mph. I even pushed it to the rev limiter a few times in an attempt to get it to upshift to third gear. P.S. I made certain that I was in D not just 2.

So does my transmission have serious issues?

 

Sounds serious. Pull you dipstick out and check fluid level. Also smell the fluid and if it smells burned you have a slipping problem for sure.

 

Check the fluid level, color, and smell. It should be cherry red. ATF doesn't smell like roses but it shouldn't smell burnt. Let us know what you find and we'll help you out, but you should probably start looking for a trans soon.

Good luck!

 

I had the same problem a while ago. Was coming home from work and it seemed fine while driving around 40 or so and I got on the tollway(IL sucks) and it wouldn't shift into 4th and so I was doing about 60 and I was reving around 5000+ maybe around that range. Got home checked the fluid level and it seemed low so I added the amount needed and drove it for like 30 min. It ran perfectly fine. But I know my transmission is going due to the fact that it shifts really bad. I get a jerk every time it shifts under normal acceleraton. I got 132,000miles on it. Planning on 5spd swap so I hope it lasts that long.

 

If the transmission fluid level is correct it's shot.
Time for a rebuild.

 

I checked the tranny fluid this morning and it was a dark brown and smelled burnt and had little fragments in it... so I guess this is going to be expensive to replace my transmission?

 

That's not good... and yes.

 

On average what would I be looking at for a new or rebuilt transmission as opposed to doing a 5 speed swap. Taking into account the fact that I would be paying for labor charges too.

 

Getting a used auto tranny would be the cheapest route. It also depends on where you go. My friend found a place around here that is charging him around $500 for the tranny and labor. Look around.

 

The rebuild will run you at least $1500. A 5-speed swap will cost a lot more. Your best bet is to look for a low-mileage tranny.

 

Pretty sure its a faulty transmission temp sensor that stops you from going into 4th. Its mistakingly thinking that the tranny is still cold (since its faulty) and won't shift. Happened to me a few times. Its fine after i stop the car and restart the engine.

 

5,000 RPM's is very high even if the auto is in 3rd gear.
Thats no temp sensor problem, his tranny is seriously slipping.

 

So my trans is going right? Plus the 5spd swap seems fun due to the fact I'm going to do it myself and plus after that have fun driving stick. YIPPY. Just need to find out what year I30 trans I need to buy.