This problem has been discussed here a few times, but I'm making it a new topic because my question pertains more to the cost to fix it.

I have a 94 bonneville automatic (not supercharged), that has about 144k miles on it.

The car last winter (late) would hang in what seemed to be neutral when i would stop at a light, or stop sign... it would hang for a few seconds only, then seem to "pop" into gear... after being totaly warmed up the car would drive around fine so i just attributed it to needing to be warmed up more (yes i'm "car naive").

Winter soon was over and the car drove perfectly until a few days ago when it started getting really cold.

The symptoms have returned but this time the car even after five minutes of warming up, will sometimes not shift into reverse, or drive... just remain in a neutral-like state.... after about ten minutes it will shift into reverse but the "stop sign popping into gear" symptom" remains.... and after being driven a while everything seems normal.

From other posts I gather it may be the solenoids (sp) sticking (the one for R, 1, and 2) or something in the "valve body" (maybe the same thing, as i said i'm not knowledgable on this stuff)

but I guess, other than possible guesses by any of you as to what the problem may be, i guess i just want a rough estimate of what you think it would cost to have a mechanic fix one of those problems, before I take it in to be checked out.

Thanks.

well in order to fix it most likely requires 8 hours of labor alone for removal and reinstallation plus the cost of diggin into it to see what needs to be replaced. give or take depending on the mechanic and if it is a dealer or not.

Agreeing with Hans, actual cost depends on the price per hour of labor and parts needed. Could be once they dug in they find the transmission is in need of a rebuild. Typical rebuild is around 1,500-3,000 depending on how deep and performance wise iyou go.

Have you tried a conditioner such as Lucas for automatic transmissions? Might be worth the $10 or so to see if that helps loosen things up. Easy add and go.

just looked up that lucas product, and a few others.

I couldn't find directions on the lucas, but the others seemed to imply i need some flush machine or something, implying that i need to take it in somewhere to have it done... which is ok

the lucas product made it sound like i just put it right in my transmission, but i don't see how that could be if it'* already full of transmission fluid

i think i'll just take the car in, get their take on what the problem is, then bring up the cleaner products if it'* a big job (and if they are guessing sticky vlaves or whatever)

thanks for the idea... when i finaly get it in a shop i'll post on what happened

goodbye

Have you checked your fluid level? Sounds very elementary, but your issues could be caused by a low fluid level.

yes... well, i didn't check it actualy, i had it changed at a local jiffy lube

my car has no leaks (fluid on the ground or anything) so i just assume it'* still ok

had it done about a week ago.... the car seemed to be better the first day or so after they did it, but then the symptoms returned (should have added this in my description of the problem)

i still haven't gotten around to taking it in... i will tomorrow though for sure

thanks for asking, cuz i have only checked the level once myself... should more often (oil too)

k... sorta update

had the car'* transmission fluid changed at a jiffy lube

then the symptoms started acting worse

take it to a shop and they say it needs a rebuild

take it to another and they say the lines are leaking fluid, badly, and when they topped it off the symptoms all went away

i have no idea what to think now as i drove it a half mile from one shop to another and all the sudden someone says i have a bad leak, something i have never had before... supposedly even a half mile earlier... the new shop thinks that will solve everything... though because i have a mysterious leak, i wonder if it will actualy do any good after i pay for the labor and parts needed (basicaly a line)

oh well... this is all getting lame