So I was ouit on the highway today, doing about 115 km/hour, and all of a sudden the tach is going up and my speed is dropping.

I shifted from OD to D and third gear is still working fine. Managed to make it home in D as all the other gears are working fine.

After I was home I checked the fluid level, and it was down not quite half a litre. Shouldnt be an issue, but topped it up anyway.

Did a scan for codes, and found nothing.

Decided to go for a short drive again, and now OD is working fine again. :?

Whats going on? Is my tranny on its way out?

Its a 96 SSE with 230,000 KM.

Thanks

Mike, where ya been?

Can you tell us what the fluid looks/smells like after a short drive (full operating temp) and the last time the trans filter was changed or a flush was done?

Been hiding... trying to stay out of trouble

The fluid looks and smells ok. No burnt smell. I have only put the last 35000km on the car. Previous owner did the rest. Not sure if the fluid or filter have been changed.

It'* possible the level was a factor. Since she smells and looks good, let'* take a wait and see attitude and a sharp eye for now. You may be just fine.

Typical TCC lockup problems on your 4T60E trans will be exhibited in failure to lockup, or trying to lock, then unlocking. That should set a code.

If it holds for a couple weeks, and acts OK as the weather warms up, you'll be just fine for now.

Would a filter and fluid change be a good idea now anyway? No idea when or if it was last done.

Thanks

Update:

After talking with a few transmission shops, I decided to go and have the tranny serviced. They dropped the pan, cleaned it, installed a new filter, and then refilled with fresh fluid. The old fluid looked like it had been in there for some time, as it was more brown in color than red.

Nothing of any substance was found in the pan or the filter, so the mechanic thinks that a bit of dirt may have hung up on one of the valves and caused the brief issues I had with OD.

He recommended driving it for another 5000 km, and then repeating the same process. A new filter and fresh fluid again.... I asked him about changing out all of the fluid now, with one of those special machines, but he did not think it was necessary.

All is good so far.... keeping my fingers crossed.