Good evening everyone. While out and about, I made the mistake of paying close attention to the way the PA was running, and noticed something that I am not quite sure about.

When the car is up to temp, the transmission works fine. It's had an adjustable modulator on it for the longest time that is cranked up a bit. When loafing around with the A/C on, it seems to shift a bit harsh. This is fine, because the A/C pulls A LOT of power, and it is about on par with no AC running with what is to be expected.

When it is cold, however, it feels slushy. Going in to gear, it seems soft to engage, very soft to shift. As it warms up, it does improve, but the first couple of miles when it is stone cold it doesn't seem eager to please. It's not Ford Slushbox bad, but I just want to make sure it's not a sign of impending doom.

The fluid is recently topped off, but is known to be dirty. There have been some times where I wonder if the transmission is short shifting, but nothing I can put my finger on.

What is the general opinion on this? Normal cold transmission? Normal old cold transmission? Impending doom?

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

I can speak to your transmission itself but you could try changing the fluid and filter and put a bottle or 3 of the lucas trans fix in there. I've used that stuff many times and I swear by it. It did wonders in my 1997.

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Needs a fluid change, and I wouldn't hesitate to use a quart of the lucas trans fluid conditioner. But what you're looking at is a sticking valve in the valve body. Keeping clean fluid in will normally prevent that, using a good filter (AC Delco), and dropping the pan to clean out the magnet (and maybe add a few neodymium magnets) are all steps to keep it clean.

_________________
Boost addict


The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

Special magnets?

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

It's the strongest permanent magnet.

_________________
Boost addict


The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

It's sounding like nothing too serious, yet, but should be addressed to prevent it from going south. I recently purchased a transfer pump for a fluid exchange on the transmission, sounds like I just need to stop making excuses and do it. I will probably start with an exchange, and plan a pan drop later on.

Count me among the 'deathly afraid that this junk is holding my tranny together' crowd. This car has a habit of reminding me I should leave well enough alone.

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Heat will play a factor in how it shifts.. As well if the fluid becomes oxidized it will cause some harsher than normal shifts.. I'd say change the fluid and keep on going.. And in your neck of the woods a large cooler could be friendly..

208,000 on my 60E and it still shifts good.. But I have had a large 28,000 GVWR cooler on it for a huge chunk of its life.. I changed the fluid in 2007, its still red..

and just to note it.. My friend with the 91 Park Avenue had to junk it as it was a norther salt car... He junked it with 300,000 miles on it.. Original trans and engine.. He changed the trans fluid a few times over the years.. Never had any real problems with it..

Good point on the large cooler. 100+ in the summer time with the A/C running in stop and go probably doesn't help any.

And I believe it about your friend. The only other signs of age is a tapping in the valve train, likely a lifter. The rest of the car is just falling apart around it as a result of almost 7 years of flogging.

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place