Any Potential Damage By Running W/O Overdrive?
 

Hey folks,

My '93 Bonne SE has a problem staying in OD whenever it warms up. Once it's warm, it drops out of OD and the TCC releases. Shutting it off and then restarting doesnt help. I am taking it to the mechanic tomorrow to see what the issue is. It also has 2 failing tranny mounts. The car is also the coolest running car I have ever driven...if the gauge is to be believed, it rarely reaches 130.

Anyway, if the problem takes a rebuild to correct (which I cant afford right now), what damage if any may I cause by running the car out of overdrive always? Will running at higher RPM's for an extended period of time, say 2800, to go 70 MPH, damage the engine? Could I do more damage to the tranny? I guess that depends on what's wrong with it.

Thanks for the replies.
John

Re: Any Potential Damage By Running W/O Overdrive?
 

You won't really damage the engine at those speeds, but keep it slow. You won't have enough miles left on the trans to do any damage to the motor.

You have a stuck thermostat (open position) or a bad ECT sensor.

What does your trans fluid look like after driving the car (warm)?

Mine is doing something similar. I'm investigating the solenoids.

Generally, if it engages, then disengages when hot (warm), it's not a solonoid. The PCM will command the TCC solonoid to unlock if the TCC slip RPM's are too high.

Hi!

These arent encouraging words, willwren:

"You won't really damage the engine at those speeds, but keep it slow. You won't have enough miles left on the trans to do any damage to the motor."

The fluid looks pink or reddish, feels smooth, and has no burnt smell. I am hoping it is some kind of external problem rather than internal, but I will know for sure tomorrow. This transmission guy is pretty good and I trust him. Any chance the thermostat and tranny issue are related? Is that the thermostat housing I see at the end of the upper radiator hose?

Any more ideas are welcome.

John

Mine does it immediatly.

If the Temp gage is telling the truth than you may have a stuck open thermostat... The older cars through 93 don't like to lock the TCC unless the engine is at a certain operating temp such as a minimun of 150F.... The higher speed causing more air to flow through the radiator may be overcooling the engine if the T-Stat is stuck open... I had thr exact issues with my 91 Bonneville and the TCC dropping out at higher speeds..

Check and see if your PCM has stored any codes...

It would be good to see what the ECM is seeing in terms of engine Coolant temps...

If you decide to replace the Thermostat, the lowest you should use is a 180F... If you are in a cooler climate you might want to consider the 195F...

Good luck... Hope we can help you get this figgured out..

__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote