Transmission problems
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 939
Likes: 0
From: Temecula California
Transmission problems
I just sold my 1990 Corvette convertable automatic (700R4 transmission) to someone and four days later he tells me the car will not shift out of 2nd gear, all it does is rev the engine (RPMs increase) out of 2nd gear. Before I sold it the transmission worked fine and when he test drove it there were no indications of it being bad. I had the tranny rebuilt about 4 years ago. Is there something I should tell him to check before he trys to rebuild the thing? I told him to check the fluid color and see if it smells like its burned. Would exact fluid level or new transmission fluid/filter make a difference or improper TV cable adjustment? What all should I tell him to consider or is this a dead give-away for a rebuild? I feel bad because now it seems like I tried to rip him off. On the other had though he might have been trying to hot rod the thing, who knows what all he did/tried to do to it. I asked him and of course he said he just drove it. I appreciate any help you can give, thank you!
Last edited by thundavett; Sep 16, 2006 at 07:02 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Trans failure
Don't feel bad.
4 years ago I raided my IRA upon turning 60 and bought a '95 and really liked it. About 9 months later the auto trans died - would only go in 1 or 2. Both 3 and 4 wouldn't go at all - lots of slip.
Cost me $1600 to rebuild.
Asked the rebuilder about the sudden failure. He showed me the broken parts (can't recall what they're called) and said it was a common failure mode and that there was no way to predict it.
So I ate the repair and never pestered the previous owner. But I might have had the time been only a couple of weeks.
Now with that experience (knowing 'sudden death' is likely), I wouldn't call the previous owner.
Hard for you to explain to the new owner.
Life isn't fair.
4 years ago I raided my IRA upon turning 60 and bought a '95 and really liked it. About 9 months later the auto trans died - would only go in 1 or 2. Both 3 and 4 wouldn't go at all - lots of slip.
Cost me $1600 to rebuild.
Asked the rebuilder about the sudden failure. He showed me the broken parts (can't recall what they're called) and said it was a common failure mode and that there was no way to predict it.
So I ate the repair and never pestered the previous owner. But I might have had the time been only a couple of weeks.
Now with that experience (knowing 'sudden death' is likely), I wouldn't call the previous owner.
Hard for you to explain to the new owner.
Life isn't fair.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: N. Tonawanda NY
Tough to tell with out having a transmision shop look at it. But when they go they may not give a warning. I bought my 90 drove it for 6 months put it away for the winter, brought it back out and got half way to Watkins Glen for opening day. I lost 4th, 3rd, and second wasn't any better. It gave no waring just went! Had it towed 100 miles. So some time the seem ok and then nothing. Maybe Peat K can chime in.
