Another vehicle problem 1999 olds intrigue 3.8l automatic trans

[1911sw45]

The other day while in rush hour traffic. Our car’s transmission stopped working at all. On the way to where it went out on some hills it would surge a little bit. Got off the interstate stopped took off again and in about 100-150 it just quit pulling itself. After having it towed about 1500’ to a parking lot after $95.00 smh. There was not anything no forward 1,2 drive or reverse. It sat over night in the parking lot till I got back with a tow dolly. Started it up drove it onto the dolly. Heard some whining. Pulled it a hour to the house. Parking it the road unloaded it from the dolly and drove it up the hill in my drive 50’ then it went back to totally slipping or not pulling itself. It’s full of transmission fluid. Car has 220000 on the clock. Bet nothing been done to the transmission. So at a cold start it will pull itself for a short bit no noticeable slipping then a very short time later nothing does have a whining but very quite. Is the bands shot or is it a solenoid problem? It’s a major project to get the trans out. And it had to come out the bottom after you take loose the wheel bearings, lower ball joints and such loose then drop the k frame that holds the engine and transmission in place.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I suspect the fluid looks brown and smells burnt. It should have had a tranny service (fluid/filter change) about every 100Kmi. If you think it hasn't, then I'd look for a flush kit and then do a tranny service (fluid/filter change) afterward. If that inexpensive effort doesn't solve the problem, since it's a 20 yr old car, I'd just cut my losses and sell it to the scrap yard.

[tomme boy]

Every 60K id what used to be recommended. Now with the closed systems it is a lot harder to do.

[1911sw45]

Yes it getting brownish. The 21 car is still good. Just got done doing the 3800 known issue the upper and lower intake gaskets and upper plenum.

[gtgeorge]

Filter is stopped up from whatever is failing in the transmission. While fluid and filter is a service and not a fix it may appear to work with a change. When you drop the pan you should see the evidence of the failure....especially in direct sunlight. Sunlight will make the metal particles look like glitter.

[1911sw45]

Can’t believe it. Put 16oz of sea foam trans tune in the transmission ran it over 30 mins after a few mins it went back to no moving and whining was there a few more minutes the whining quite. Let it idle over 30 minutes. Dropped the transmission pan and pulled the filter. There was gray fine aluminum looking powder covering the bottom of the pan. Cleaned it added 7.5 quarts of fresh transmission fluid and started it up. Now pulls great. Took it over a 15 mile drive no problems. Even able to squeal the tires. No slipping as I can tell. Did hook it up to the computer while the sea foam trans tune was working. It did have a code P0742 for the torque converter was locked up. But any ways it working now.

[Bazoo]

Awesome! Glad to hear it.

I have had good success with Lucas transmission additive.

[ioon44]

I had a 2002 olds intrigue that I drove for about 200,000 miles, the transmission went out while it was still under warranty. I was amazed that the dealer ship changed out the internal trans parts by pulling the left front tire and inner finder well.

[1911sw45]

There is a side housing that gets to most of the solenoids and manifold. That is located on the left side fender well.

[gnostic]

I'd send the fluid to Blackstone. They'll be able to tell from the minerals in the fluid what's up with the transmission........

[firefly1957]

MANY years ago my 1969 Dodge Polaris did the same thing a bit @ of 100,000 miles all it was was plunged transmission filter .

[1911sw45]

Unfortunately it’s lunging around 40 mph. If you give it more gas it stops the lunging. Could be the lock up torque converter solenoid since it’s about the time the torque converter should be engaging.

[brassrat]

damnn

[cayton]

I spent 6+ years working with the GM 3800 series II/III engines and 4t65e trannys. Built a 12 second daily driver on that platform and help with the 3 record holders for them. My best guess with out it being on a scanner is either the 4th gear staff splints took a crap or the Tc clutches. And the quickest way is drop the subframe and drop it out. The quickest I have seen is 2 hours to replace.