Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Tranny help

Last night my o/d light came on which I read on post that the cause can be the vss.Well last night it had a hard time going into reverse.I also have read that the Trans Range Sensor could be at fault also because that is what decides what gear to be in.The fluid is nice and pink.Today it was rocking when i put in reverse to back up and it was reving higher than normal but my speedo wasnt going nuts.All the help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Fred

First off, I would suggest getting the codes read.

Second, I'm think - without knowing what the codes are this is a long shot, but I'm think that you might have a solinoid on your solenoid block sticking.

My Transmission Range selector has been bad for about 2 years now. Every now and then I will be driving down the road, have to slow down and then speed up and suddenly when it shifts into 1st it goes harder than usual into that gear, the O/D Off light blinks. I park the car, restart it and the problem is gone. Then it doesnt shift harder anymore or anything.
For me it only happens in cold months, it has never happened in the summer, December-March it does it every now and then. Dont know why that is.

You might get code PO731 - 1st gear shift ratio incorrect, dont worry the gear ratio is correct ( if the light goes away upon restart), the computer just f uped a second.

well the car is at the dealer they say they were able to road test it.Which I have no idea how since I had to call a tow truck to bring it there because it wouldnt go into gear.The are telling me second gear and third gear are gone.They told me that it goes into gear when the fluid is cold well I know thats a lie because the fluid was cold when I started up the car and it wouldnt shift into gear.Also they tell me I need a new tranny because of second gear and third gear which they supposedly need to remove some suspension components to get tranny out.I have read in post here that you just need to take off the subframe to get tranny out.Well I am going tomorrow and find out why they are telling me these things which I believe are false and take the car to another place to have it looked at and I will ask them for all the codes they got.Because I have believed since I started having the problem that it was the trans range sensor like hitman has said.on the 96 atx's do we have a cable to change gears or is it electronic and would second gear and third gear come into play about it not going into gear?

You do need to remove suspension components, as well as the subframe and lower the engine as well to get the tranny out.
Your left front drive axle,right front drive axle, both lower ball joints, both tie rod ends, both links and believe me its a PITA job to get that tranny out. Your motor has to be dropped down somewhat as well in order to get the tranny seperated from the engine. The subframe rear bolts often spin (ceased) then the carpet has to be lifted to gain access to the rear subframe bolts. I doubt the guy would lie to you...he has no reason to. You could take it somewhere else for a second opinion, but no matter what, if it has to be removed its a real PITA job...Trust me, I removed mine myself.