Hi all!

I've got a quick question. I have a 93 SSEi with 80k. I'm having to take her nearly 500 miles each week while I take classes this semester. I hardly drove her 150 a month previously.

Because I'm spending so much time on the road, I'm noticing some odd things with the transmission and possibly the supercharger.

I always highway drive in Overdrive. Yesterday as I was using an onramp to get on the interstate, I accelerated, my suppercharger kicked in (boosts went up to +8 range) but the car wasn't accelerating as it should (that little boost wasn't there).

Also when I accelerate on a hill when I'm going btween 55 and 65 mph, the car has a hard time picking a gear (i'm assuming its trying to pick between 3rd and OD).

I switched the gear down to 3rd and noted everything seemed to be working properly, with no slipping or no problems with the supercharger. I hesitated to really push her so I don't know if that helps.

Now, as per Valvoline quick lube, I know the car is due for transmission flush and will be getting that done, but I will wait till a mechanic does it if there is serious transmission issues. If you think that flushing the transmission may cure the problem, I will get it done immediately.

BTW as an aside, am I right to understand that there are different ways to flush the transmission? (one, just drain the fluid and change the filter; and two, power flush the system, and change the filter) Which one should I have done (if it matters)?

Thanks for your help guys!

The only proper way to do a transmission flush is to flush the system with new fluid until it runs clear. THEN have them drop the pan & change the filter.

Be insistent. Most shops want to change the filter first then run all your dirty fluid thru the nice clean filter while flushing. Don't let them.

Thanks for the help!

Your right, OD is fourth gear so just assume one gear down when I refer to a gear (OD is 4th, Drive is 3rd etc.)

I have no clue what kind of pully I have on the Supercharger- ignorant girl here

I drove the car again today, 20 mi of hwy driving about 65mph running in OD (4th gear), everything was fine- spent some time in the city and did another 10 miles of city, stop-go driving. Again, everything seemed fine. Got onto the interstate for 20 mile jog home into a 20 mph wind. Driving in OD (again 4th gear), I set the cruise control at 75. On most every hill or incline where the car worked a little harder there seemed to be some slippage... like the car just didn't know which gear was the best. I noted there, that the super charger worked normally (+or- 2 range) and rpms were hugging around 3000, give or take 2 or 300 rpms as the car slipped around the gears.

I hope this helps, I'm not sure exactly what symptoms to look for, but these seemed the most obvious.

BTW... I don't imagine this has much to do with the tranny problem, but my Driver Information Center on the dash is blinking on and off like there is a short. There doesn't seem to be a correlation between tranny problems and the blinking, but these are both issues that seemed to start in the last 3 weeks or so and seem to be getting more frequent.

Hope some of the clarifications help! Again, I am not very knowledgable about cars , but I LOVE my Bonnie and want to do what I can to keep her well

Bigred is right about the flush. Get that done. It'll cost you about $100 to have both done. FLUSH, then the filter. Just like he said.

When things are working right and wrong, how many rpm'* are you running at 65mph when in OD?

Also, go up to the Techinfo link. Under Tech Know-how, you'll see an article for retrieving fault codes. Try that. I'm curious to see if you've thrown a code for a TCC yet.

As a parting note, I had very similar problems. My flush did me wonders. Doesn't mean it'll solve your problem, but it'* good to have done anyway.

Shiann, Do the flush then the pan and filter. Check out my post under "oil pressure" and you will see what I am talking about. Had a tranny flush and a few days later noticed I was drippin tranny fluid on floor. The leak was coming from the gasket around the pan. Come to find out it was a cork gasket probably the orginal one. They replaced it with a new rubber gasket and now the garage floor is dry as a bone yard.

I took the car into my trusted local mechanic and after having it today, he told me the spark plug wires (which are the original) were chared and showed evidence of arching.

He thought this arching occured most often on the incline, at high speeds and would screw up the timing making it hard for the car to pick a gear. (If I understand him correctly).

So, new spark plug wires, and plugs, a transmission flush, and I hope to be good as new.

Thanks again everyone!

Shiann