OK, here's how it goes: 1987 coupe with auto tranny and 3:07 gears, daily driver.

First, since my gas mileage is so lousy (13 mpg city) I decided to change the Oxigen sensor, which I suspected had not beeen changed ever. Piece of cake. The old one was an AC Delco and it looked pretty dirty. Replaced it with a Bosch.

Then I noticed that the alternator was not charging properly, especially with the A/C and headlight on. Took it out, had it checked and replaced with a new one. It was charging 10 volts in the bench tester. Also took the battery (18 months old) for a recharge.

Then found a leak in the cooling system because one of the coolant lines that go to the oil cooler was damaged. So I replaced it. Easy.

While driving to the local Pep Boys shop to have the electric system checked (I felt it was not completely right), I noticed that the transmission would not shift from second to third. Then I stopped at a traffic light and when I took off, the transmission woul not shift into second gear. Had the electrical system checked and found that the new alternator had problems with the voltage regulator.

Drove back home and the transmission would not shift into second gear. Stopped to check fluid level and found it one quart low. Put in a quart of fluid and started to drive home in first gear. I tried the following while driving in first gear: at about 23 mph, I let go ef the gas pedal for about 10 seconds and when I accelerated the car had shifted to second gear . It stayed in second gear even after stopping at a few other traffic lights. It took off in second gear but would not shift into third gear.

Sorry for the long post but right now I'm waiting for the engine to cool off before removing the alternator and taking it in for a replacement.

After I replace the alternator I have to tackle the tranny problem but I would like to know if there is something I have to check before taking it to a shop.

Thanks for your help.

 

Was the transmission fluid burnt?

 

No, it wasn't.

 

My 87 did exactly what yours is doing. It actually started out by not wanting to shift into overdrive. Then it progressively got worse by not shifting into 2nd as you say. A local transmission shop said that the throttle valve was sticking because of contaminents, a result of the reverse pack starting to fail and the trans would have to come out. Now I have never had much faith in the different "miracle" additives available for all ills but I figured I had nothing to loose. I put in a pint of transmission "fix-it-all" and as the can said, after about 1500 kms., everything is good. Whether it will last, I don't know but you have nothing to loose by trying.

 

I had the same thing happen on my 87. Took it to my tranny guy and he just tapped the valve area with a hammer and all is well. Then I had him change fluid and filter-no problem since.