I have a 88 SSE. and yesterday I was drove and stop at a light. Then I took off and the Tran would not shift to the next gear. only if I hit 5,000 rpm. Then it will shift. It feel like it is stick into every gear. What'* up with that.. The Tran was replace 3 years ago.. Why is it stick in gear. When I am in "D" !!!!

Not sure if your year has a vacuum accumlator module for the shitifing. I would venture a guess to say yes and your vacuum line came unhooked.

Where'* Justin?? He could probably even give you pics on this one. (Watch..he'* probably going to post in a second ...bet he'* out getting pics).

where is that line At ??? please help.....

where is the vacuum accumlator module

I saw your first post. Only one is needed to ask where it is.

I have a 95 and 97, both are compeltely electronic. I THINK you have a vacuum line setup, but do not know where it is. You can probably locate it on your own if you go out..raise the hood and look for a vacuum line that is unhooked. Reconnect it.

That is IF your car has the vacuum line accumulator module as i believe it does.

I'm hoping Justin sees your post since he has the same generation car and knows it inside and out.

He'* had first-hand vacuum modulator experience too

Rep, can you look and see where yours are located? He seems to be off the pc today.

It'* right on the front, just to the right of the exhaust crossover/front manifold connection, and just below the lone electrical connection.

It'* metal line most of the way, but there are rubber hose connections at the tranny and at the vacuum tee on the intake manifold.

Suppose that the modulator itself could have failed too?

I'd have posted a pic, but I've got to go to work in about 10 minutes.

the vacuum modulator CAN cause the car NOT to go into gear. However, this will also be accompanied with some heavy smoking [from the tailpipe]. The modulator can really make or break a transmission. Alec [Alec_b] has been experimenting with an adjustable modulator [as per me, of course], and he said it is noticably better. And i am sure in a day or two when my car is running again, it'll really improve mine too.

Now, if the modulator is removed from it'* mount.. that can cause the pressure to blowby the modulator in violent transmission fluid spraying. This will NOT happen unless you screw with your modulator like I do/did.

The modulator is here:


Now, your modulator will be larger, and grey in colour possibly with some rust on it. But it'* located in that area.

the TV Cable will again NOT affect transmission engagement. It will however affect the transmission'* ability to shift under high throttle conditions. I believe it'* about just over 50% throttle. Part/light throttle will be unaffected.

Don is correct though, there are loads of things that can go wrong. If you cannot get the transmission to engage in Reverse OR drive, it'* usually related to pressure, whether that be a lack of fluid, pump failure, etc. It'* really not ah ome diagnosis type thing. All you can do is check the fluid, and beyond that, you will need a professional. "If you had to ask, you'll never know"


ps: on the hydraulic transmissions, the modulator is required to be functional. the transmission works like crappppp. On electronic transmissions [4T60-E, 1992+ in the Bonneville], it is not quite as required, and just gives the transmission a firm shift. You MUST have a good functioning modulator.. and they make large differences. I always recommend an adjustable unit, it'* $16 from autozone, and can really make your transmission.