So I recently was given a 2005 Monte Carlo. A friend of mine owned it and was driving when it lost all power. The engine rev'd by the tranny wouldn't engage. He pulled over and parked it. After I had it towed to my house I tried driving it down the block and back. It drives. Last night i dropped the pan. The fluid is a dark brown/black. Doesn't smell burnt. Once i got the pan off I noticed maybe 5 or 6 metal flakes and a thin cylinder pin mayber the size of a watch band pin stuck to the magnet. Anyone know if its a lost cause?

 

Not a transmission expert but I'd guess those are probably gear teeth or syncho ring teeth. You'll need transmission fixing. in the meantime if that isn't possible, try replacing fluid, filter, and when adding new fluid add some additive to increase the viscosity to help it grip during shifting.

 

Just my opinion, but since you've got broken hard parts in the pan, I wouldn't waste time changing fluid. It's too expensive to do on a trans that needs pulled apart.