Bout a week ago my transmission started acting up, slipping uncontrollably at every take-off but only in first gear. Thought the trans was completely gone. Turns out the car can be driven just fine if i drop the gear selector all the way down to first and shift it manually at every take-off. I checked all of the linkage to the shifter and everything seems to be solid and adjusted properly. I just thought this was kinda strange and im wondering if there might be some simple fix that an automatic transmission wizz might know to help me out or if im driving a tickin time bomb of a car. thanks_Chris

Try a can of Seafoam'* Trans Tune, following the label directions. Sometimes it helps out. It worked on my daughter'* 91 Grand Prix that had alipping issues on take offs. I doubt it will be a long term fix, but may in the the short term.

I already tried the miracle juice on it. i have bout 3 bottles of lucas trans fix in there and it still wont work in D. I am on the second week of driving it as a manual, having no other means of transportation, it seems to be working ok. Hopefully anyone in a similar situation can use this as an idea. I guess its time for me to find a cheap car and bury the ol bonne :(

Had the 4T60E in the TranSport occasionally act like it was in neutral when taking off from a stop but would eventually go into gear. Can of SeaFoam cleared it up. If problem is a sticking shuttle or solenoid then it may fix for a long time.

Remember though, the transfix is designed to be flushed out. I remember kenn the napa guy saying someone left it in their trans and it caused spun bearings or some other trans failure. Follow the directions on the bottle and you'll be good to go.

The other thing you may want to look at is the TV cable. Try adjusting the TV cable all the way out and not resetting it. This will remove automatic shifts and keep the TV'* line pressure at max all the time. Also test the vacuum modulator to make sure it'* functioning as well.

I learned an easy way to tell when our non-adjustable modulators go out. Remove them with the one 13mm bolt and disconnect the vacuum line from it. Remove it from the trans and push the plunger in on the shaft. If fluid comes out the vacuum line then it'* not working and probably leaking trans fluid in the intake. This in normal failure usually won't cause your problems, but with our very specific and technical 440s, you never really know. Also with this test, just because the vacuum line is dry, doesn't mean that fluid won't come out when pushed in, because the trans doesn't push that plunger in, but more that the plunger pulls away from the trans.

I'm such a vacuum modulator *****

the day after my last post the dam thing started acting up in low gear all together. so i bought a car off my sister. 1990 buick regal (not running) =$200. MAF sensor =$105. The look on my sisters face when she realized she screwed herself out of a car = priceless.

Im going to pick the bonne up today and see if i can find that vacum modulator. i think i know what you are talking about but im not sure. Is it the one connected to the front of the trans that is round with two lines attached? guessing by memory since the car is 30 miles away. __thanks

If it'* slipping in both 1st on the gear selector and in D, then in all likelihood the trans is going out. Try checking the vacuum modulator, because it'* worth a shot. If that is bad, replace it with a $15 adjustable one from autozone, and turn the screw clockwise all the way in.. just don't go too far. This will maximize the firmness of the shifts, however they still aren't that firm. If your motor mounts are bad, it will make the shifts more obvious, but it'* not that bad. You can always soften up the shifts [not recommened on a going-out trans]. Also while you're at it, check the fluid level, make sure it'* full. If replacing the modulator and checking fluid level doesn't work, grab two bottles of lucas transfix, drain out two quarts of ATF, and cross the heck out of your fingers.

And if all else fails, and the trans doesn't slip that bad, drive as is but avoiding the slippage [IE gramma it]. A friend has a town & country with a badly slipping trans and he'* been driving it slipping bad for about 5k and hasn't got any worse, because he grammas the hell out of it and doesn't let it slip. And a bottle of transfix is the only reason it can even go down the road, btw.

That regal, does it have a 3.1L or 3800?

EDIT: the modulator is a fair sized round canister attached to the trans right in front with one vacuum line going to it [there is another one near it which runs to the charcoal canister]. It has a metal brace holding it on with one 13mm bolt.. remove the bolt and bracket and twist and pull the modulator out. Fluid won't come out of the hole, however the modulator will in all likelihood have fluid in it that will leak out if tipped down [or up depending how bad it is].

I'll have to see if i can find what you are talking about when i get it home, im still waiting on my ride to the car. I'll have to 2 foot it when im not on the e-way. since i accidently dropped the regal hood on the MAF sensor (working on a car in the dark is not recomended) Regal has the same 3800 motor so i was going to try to switch them but one of the screws was stripped. thought i grabbed everything and slammed the hood,

the advice is greatly appreciated. I cant bear the thought of junkin the car since it only has 124,000 miles on it still runs strong and is in really good shape. but im a complete idiot when it comes to transmissions!

latest addition: 1990 Buick Regal Limited, 188,000 miles 3800 V6 Decent shape, a little Michigan rust but all in all a pretty good car for $305

I have a great opportunity for ya. You like pulling motors?

pulling motors would be ok if i had a place to do it but i live in an apartment at the moment. not to mention i lack experience having never done it, lol