hey i have a 1996 monte carlo z34 and about 2 weeks ago i got in to drive to get some parts for my friend and it ran great til i shut it off and let it sit for about an hour. when i started it again and put it in drive, i took my foot off the brake and it moved about 6 inches and stopped. i gave it a little gas and i didnt start to move til the rpms reached about 2800-3000 and when i got going it drove fine but only shifted once. its like its stuck in 2nd and will only shift to 3rd. but reverse works perfectly, ive been told it could be my shift solenoid but somone else told me it was my transmission. i really hope its not the transmission bc i dont have the money to rebuild or replace it. thanks

 

Check the solenoid first. If it's not that, then you might need to have your tranny rebuilt/replaced. Sorry to here about that.

However, there is one other possibility. How's your battery or your alternator? If they're going down, that will effect the way your tranny shifts.

 

also a tune up as well when have you done a tune up like change the oil the plugs the air filter and fuil filter. some times these things listed can effect the way a car shifts and performs. what i am saying is some times the simpelest things can do weired things to a car. like poor shifts as well as not wanting to start stalls wreaks of gas to any thing also throw trans codes as poor shifts to not wanting to go into fourth gear. do to the computer going into limp mode do to plugs not fireing to oil over do to poor air coming into the motor to poor fuel getting to the motor. i am sorry if it sounded mean i am just asking and letting you know if some thing minor can cause horrible performance like feeling like having a bad trans i dont want you to put alot of money in a trans rebuild for nothing on some thing simple.

 

thanks you guys. i know that i need to change my plugs and plug wires, i dont think they have been changed but once since it was ordered from the factory. i have added a cone filter but when i check the solenoid im gonna change the trans filter. i also have one more question, what is the normal idle speed for a 1996 LQ1?

 

Normal idle speed should be 700-800 rpms when warm. As far off as the tachs read sometimes it could be reading anywhere between 500rpm and 1200rpm and still be idleing at its correct speed. Only way to know for certain is to hook a scanner up that digitally reads idle speed. My tach reads about 1000-1100 when warm but the scan tool shows that it idles at about 800rpm.

 

check the fluid level, color and smell, if its starting in 2nd gear its most likely in LIMP mode, and there is most likely an electricle error. thats the best advice i can give you with you minor diagnostic report.

 

yeah i was wondering bc mine usually idles around 1100 to 1400 when warm. i read somewhere that it could be a vacuum leak. i have another question. close to my exhaust crossover there is a little box looking thing that has a line with a boot on it that goes to my throttle body, its dry rotted and cracked and wasnt even on the plug but when i put it back on my idle got a little lower and smoother. anyone know what this is? also you can see it unless the stock airbox is removed.