Background, I have not noticed anything wrong with the car that I would connect with the transmission. I do seem to still have the vacuum leak that I have not been able to locate; or what I think is a vacuum leak causing an idling issue. When doing a climb up a good size hill, the air vents shuts off and then returns after I am no longer climbing the grade.

Yesterday I started the car and backed up a few feet so I could pull the car forward into a new position, which I did without any problem. The car then set for the day, and all day today. This evening when I went to leave, I started the car and noticed the sound from the engine compartment sounded different. I put the car in reserve and it would not go. I put it in the over drive selection and no go. No go in any of the drive ranges at all, and no reverse.

I checked the trans fluid but it was good; and of course I looked under the car to see if there was a big puddle of fluid but it was dry and the fluid on the stick shows good. I can not get an accurate reading because the car is on a slight downhill grade; the same it is always sitting on. I usually move the car to a level spot to check the fluid but of course at this time she no go.

At this time I have only done a causally inspection. The gear selection lever is moving the lever at the transmission; so the cable does not appear broken. I check the wires at the plugs to the transmission in case some mice had decided to nest in the engine compartment.

I do have an interface and some software for a laptop but I am unsure what the software can check and what is available for reading on a '98 Buick LeSabre. So let me know if that is something I can check with the scantool/software.

I don't know a lot about these transmissions; any references that I can be pointed to will help. I have overhauled transaxles before but never a Buick.

Basically any help or advice that can be given; and thanks in advance.

Edit: The transmission fluid was changed a year ago or more; Dex VI, and a new filter installed.

When you pull the car out of park, does it roll freely, as if it'* in neutral?

How is the sound from the engine bay different? What noise is it making? (videos help a lot here).

Does the transmission fluid level on the dipstick drop when the engine is started?

If you had to guess how low the fluid was based on your history with the car, how often you have had to check it, add fluid, versus when it was last done?

How does the fluid look, and are all other fluids the colors that they should be, and not mixed with something else (namely coolant, on account of the cooler)?

I have not noticed any trans slippage or rough shifting; downshift always worked and no problem recovering from a downshift. This was a one day fine, next day no go at all.

Why can't I edit my posts; the last part of that quote I forgot to put red so it showed as an answer to the question.

It'* a long story...
But ultimately, the option has been disabled by staff to protect the integrity of posts on the forum.

If it'* a concern, you can always make a second corrected post and then request the first be deleted.

I am going to need the type of transmission in this car; how do I got about determining the transmission number; type, model, etc?

OK, so uploading a video is out of the question; because of file size limits. Is there a way to embed a video?

OK, I learned this is the 4T65E.

It seems I am truly buggered as I found this on a site:

No movement in any gear: This is usually a bad sign and most likely will require the transmission to be removed and rebuilt or replaced with a re-manufactured unit. Causes range from a broken input shaft, broken drive chain/sprocket, low fluid level, clogged filter and stripped converter splines to a broken input clutch drum shaft.

The car has 204039 miles on the odometer.

Considering the number of mechanical things this tranny had issues with; splines failing, torque converter, bands breaking, I am wondering if I should bother rebuilding since there might be a number of things I would have to consider replacing. I can not afford a reman; it is out of the equation completely. So it is either rebuild or replace with a used one with as low mileage as I can find. I see this trans was used a number of years; is the mounting, bolt holes, etc compatible during all years it was used? My car is a '98 and I think the trans was first introduced in '97. So it would make sense to go later if there were earlier issues that were addressed in later years. Any help as always is greatly appreciated. This board has a big help over the few yeas I have been here.