It is accessed through the pan. Use the "search" utility and you'll find a write-up including pictures.

Well, I dropped the pan this weekend and changed out the filter and fluid. So far the car seems to have the same issue as before. The symptoms do appear to have improved slightly but I have not driven that far yet and only miles will tell if anything of value has been done.

At this time, I have not added the Sea Foam Trans Tune. I figured it would be best to take it one step at a time and wait till I know I am within 1K miles (800 miles a week) of my next pan drop. I don't want to run 3K with extra sludge and varnish floating around in the new fluid.

Thanks for the advise guys! I will keep you posted.

In case I missed it, did you ever check that mount right behind the radiator?

This is not a constructive idea. If you went to the doctor and were given more than one medication to take, would you take them one at a time?

By only changing the fluid, you have omitted the very thing that will make the MOST difference. Also, since you can only change at most, eight of the eleven quarts in the transmission (by dropping the pan), your comment about extra sludge and varnish is moot. A flush and filter change is what is called for to alleviate that.

So of course you don't see a change in symptoms, you haven't really done much that would help (once the PCS got sticky). However if the fluid had been changed before a sticky PCS, it might have avoided the issue altogether. But that'* NOT what we're dealing with here. Trans Tune is recommended because it can loosen up the PCS, merely changing the fluid will really only keep it from getting worse (maybe).

Just so you know, I had the same symptoms in my car. It was a bad PCS. Changed it, changed the fluid and filter for $583. Hope the Sea Foam works.

i had exact same symptoms with my car recently. did the sea foam treatment, then dropped the pan, changed the filter and put in new flui. seemed to have helped, but when cars gets up to temp from driving probably 30-40 minutes..it will start shifting hard again.

i am thinking of going with the shift kit next.

with the price of trans fluid the way it is, i wouldn't dare cut corners and have to dump it right back out again.

WOW! You guys sure are spirited!

myfirstbonnie - I checked the mount. While I would not call it "mint" or anything it certainly appears to be in good shape. Engine did not move in the manner in which you described (or maybe I envisioned based on your description). Although, without a point to reference, I am not sure I would rule this out just yet. I have a buddy with a '90 Regatta that would be a good reference point.

Hawk - Two things:

"If you went to the doctor and were given more than one medication to take, would you take them one at a time?”

Absolutely! If I wanted to know which one actually made me feel better. Doing two things at one time without analyzing the results individually only masks which action resolves the issue.

"Trans Tune is recommended because it can loosen up the PCS"

I understand. My concern is about running too far with the Trans Tune prior to dropping the pan again. If the Trans Tune can loosen up the PCS what else will it break loose? I don't want to break something loose and run for 5K to find out it lodged somewhere else and the tranny is now acting even worse. It will be a couple weeks (800 miles a week) before I can get to the pan drop with the shift kit. Trans Tune is certainly next on my list.

Spl170s - If you get to your Shift Kit install before I do please let me know how it works out for you.

Thanks Again!!

Trans Tune will NOT BREAK ANYTHING! I have Trans Tune in my transmission and it'* been there for over 10,000 miles.

I have no idea what logic there is in NOT using Trans Tune until you have added the shift kit. It is entirely possible the Trans Tune can make a shift kit unnecessary. There are those that have reported this.

I agree with Hawkjet. Putting the Trans Tune in could very well take care of your problem. Even if it doesn't - you're only out about $6. It will not harm your transmission, and could very well take care of the problem.

While it would have been better to put it in first, then change the fluid - putting it in is better than running without it when you're experiencing this problem.

First, I would like to clarify that my original idea was to run with the Trans Tune for around 1600 miles prior to adding the shift kit to verify if the symptoms persisted. I was concerned about running 3-4K miles with it prior to dropping the pan again. Right now, I run 80 miles one way to work everyday and don’t want to be stuck roadside in central Illinois. Not much between mile markers if you know what I mean. Based on your testimonies I understand utilizing the Trans Tune sooner than I had planned would be your recommendations.

However, I certainly was not suggesting Trans Tune would "break" anything Hawk. My concern is the previous owners of this Bonnie that allowed the vehicle to run for 100K without changing the tranny fluid. Based on the 3800 transmission'* history this is what most likely allowed the issue to surface instead of preventing/prolonging it.

The fluid I drained was flat terrible and I would imagine that another pan drop is in order to ensure the longevity of the transmission. If the Trans Tune is useful for breaking loose sticky parts that are "sticking" due to varnish buildup and sludge, it is safe to assume this will be floating around in your transmission once it does break loose or possibly even clogging your filter. Of course results would vary based on the amount of varnish and sludge in the transmission to begin with.