PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Ok so I have been having a few hiccups with the trans in the 03 for the last year or so. First thing that happened was it seemed to neutral out on me one time. Then it seemed to pause when shifting from reverse to drive and still does sometimes. So first thing I did was put Lucas in it and didn't have an issue until about 4 months ago when it started doing this 100 rpm chugging thing like the lock is slipping. It only does it under a load when the lockup kicks in and only around 2-2200 rpm. So then about 6 weeks ago I went to get an oil change and the mechanic messed up and got me confused with a 99 Buick he had scheduled for a trans filter change. So he ended up using the fluid and filter in my 03. Car was fine except the chugging still so I decided to put another bottle of Lucas in it and now yesterday it was about -5 in the morning and my Fiancee went to go to school she put it in drive and it was neutral and would not go just rev. So she put it back in park and then back to drive and it was fine. So what is possibly going on here? The fluid that came out was a lil brown and no parts or metal in the pan and the fluid put back in was Dex IV. Do you think I need the correct filter and Dex III or a trans?

Yeah, unfortunately I think you need a tranny shop to take a look at it...

You think they can diagnose it before automatically going to a rebuild?

It is very likely the filter and fluid for the 99 Buick is the same as your Bonneville, realistically as long as the filter fits snug in the hole and is submerged in fluid it will operate just fine. As for the fluid, that would be the same as well. Sounds like the trans shop messed up, but I doubt that anything they did caused any issues.

As a last resort you could try some Seafoam Trans Tune, it is quite the opposite of the Lucas stuff, this stuff is thin and watery, but every transmission I have tried it in made a dramatic difference in shift quality and overall driveability the first time it cycled through the gears. Sounds to me like it could be a valve sticking or seal leaking by.

Thanks Ryan that is worth a shot as I am gonna drive it till I can't anymore and these issues only are here and there never constant. I suppose I will need to pull some fluid to add the Seafoam though? Any suggestions how to do that?

Use a fluid transfer pump. Remove transmission dipstick, and insert tube into tranny.
I save half gallon plastic jugs to measure just how much fluid I remove, so replacement is easy.
I purchased mine for about $8 at Harbor Freight, and have seen them for sale on Ebay.

Sweet!! That should work and I can grab one from Harbor Freight as there is one not very far away. Thanks!!

Well I finally put in the Seafoam trans tune and well now I need a trans!!! I think I am gonna put in a trans and sell her for now as I won't need a second car till next winter now.

Have you scanned to see if you have a failed Pressure Control Solenoid?

No I don't have a way to scan for that. My bro (40 year mechanic) called his guy at the trans shop said most likely the input shaft seal but the Seafoam would take out the rest of the seals. It wasn't too bad before the Seafoam was put in and now anytime it goes into lockup it slips in and out constantly. Holds all gears otherwise. I am in the search for a boneyard trans right now and haven't exactly decided if I am gonna keep the car or just send it on and get something better on gas. I do a ton of driving and the better mpg is key now. There aren't a lot of local guys here otherwise I would post in the wanted for a trans.

I would get two bottles of LUCAS TransFix, use transfer pump to suck out that amount from the tranny, add the LUCAS, and drive it some more... three or four bottles even...
Cheaper than all the other alternatives if it works. I did this and it worked for me.
You could then find a better tranny to replace it with at your leisure.

Not a bad idea but it already has a bottle in it. I tried that first and it didn't really do anything and the seal is already bad since it wont hold lockup. I get the fact that the Lucas will make it thicker but may get too thick. Lol! I can still drive it for now and have the Pacifica to use on the trips we take every other weekend. I am still not sure if I want to keep or sell it. I think I will do the trans and then decide.

I changed fluid and filter, using two bottles Lucas in the refill.
Drove it a short while, and pumped out another two bottles' worth, plus 3 quarts NAPA Fluid.
Transmission has been at least 90% perfect ever since...Never worked so well...ever!
Transgo shift kit next, and it may be perfect!
;-)