Hello all. I have a 96 ls 3.1 and I love her. I havent had any problem with the trans or anything major in the 2 years Ive had her. So about 2 weeks ago I was driving @55mph and it started freewheeling ( or so Im told that is what its called) I pulled into a parking lot (using my previous momentum) put it in park and then it would engage again. I pull out of said parking lot and then get to about 30mph when it happens again. I pulled down a side street and into a driveway, I put it in reverse to back out and it engaged again but it only gave enough force to move a few inches before it freewheeled and I had to push the car out. I limped it back home (after checking fluid levels-it was in operating range on level surface with engine running). I could and still can get it up to around 30mph but when it tops out at 30 I have to run it at 3500-4000rpm's to keep that speed otherwise I had to let it drop back into 1st and accelerate again...It was hard to really tell what gear I got it into-pretty sure at least second but it was smooth until it topped out. If I let the car sit the initial revese attempt results in a ever so slight nudge you can feel, but in repeated attempts you cant feel it engage. the fluid is kinda brown. So did I burn up 3rd 4th and reverse. should I even try lucas or just get a remanned trans ( I dont like saying 'tranny' it makes me giggle) Its quite an undertaking but I have time,space, 600 bucks and mechanical ability. thanks. Oh, and it has 130k miles.

 

id say ur prob lookin at a rebuid if its freewheeling like that ive nvr had a trans do it that bad usually just slips a lil at higher speeds im for sure not an expert on transmissions could be somthing simple but deff just have a mechanic look at it & they can prob lead u in the right direction

 

most shops when it comes to tranys will say they cant give you an est until they take it apart and look at it.

i feel your best bet is to look for another trans. you can find them on ebay. here is one from a 99 LS 1999 Monte Carlo LS 4t60e 3.1L Transmission with 30k | eBay

 

Thanks for the input.......I figured my best bet (involving hundreds and not thousands of $$$$) was to find a used trans. Ive seen 'em on ebay but gotta find one close enough and cheap enough and good enough. I still have to look around at local salvage yards and such. I'll keep ya posted-later thanks again