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Buick LeSabre Transmission

92 messages,  Last post on Apr 09, 2013 at 8:23 AM

You are in the Buick LeSabre Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick LeSabre, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 7 of 10

#52 of 92 Re: Lasabre transmission won't engage [mikes36] by wheeldeals

Aug 13, 2009 (7:42 am)

Replying to: mikes36 (Mar 18, 2009 2:50 pm)
Sorry Mike. Believe it. I had a 1994 LeSabre that the tranny went out at 89,000 miles. Did just what yours is doing only your's lasted longer than mine. It cost me $1,800.00 to rebuild at a private garage and that was seven years ago. I've also had a tranny go out on a 1995 Park Avenue with 96,000 miles and a 1992 Riveria under 100,000 miles. These Buicks have a weak transmission. It's the only cars that I've had tranny problems with. The rest of the car will last for ever.
Jim

#53 of 92 Re: Lasabre transmission won't engage [wheeldeals] by imidazol97

Aug 13, 2009 (11:27 am)

Replying to: wheeldeals (Aug 13, 2009 7:42 am)
Most people say just the opposite. The 4-speed is long lived. I had a 93 with no problems, 150K. I have a 98 with 168,000. I have an 03 with 92,000.

#54 of 92 Transmission noise by softballpapa

Sep 02, 2009 (9:46 am)

I bought a used 2000 Lesabre with 111,000 miles on it. When I have car in overdrive I get a whining noise. I don't think it shifts properly into overdrive so I drive it in 3rd gear. only whines when I am in overdrive about 50 miles per hour and higher. Is this a serious problem or do you know of easy fix. also I have a oil leak coming from top of engine. do you know of problem with gaskets on this model. engine is a 3800 V6 I don't know transmission style. Thanks for your help, Softballpapa

#55 of 92 Re: Transmission noise [softballpapa] by wheeldeals

Sep 15, 2009 (5:48 am)

Replying to: softballpapa (Sep 02, 2009 9:46 am)
I would take my car to a transmission repair garage and have them check the whine. It may be a cheap fix if caught soon enough. Cars are like our bodies, the sooner you treat a problem the better.
At 10 years, the leak is probably your valve covers.
Jim

#56 of 92 Transmission by nosfurought2

Oct 01, 2009 (3:10 pm)

Just purchased a 97 Lesabre with 113K. It has traction control. When I begin cruising at freeway speeds, there seems to be a hesitation in shifting, most noticable with going uphill. also, when in cruise control, more adverse reaction, engine will idle up several thousand RPMS without shifting. I was going to experiment with taking it off traction control and hadnt had time to check it. Wondering if it is computer/cruise control issues or tranmission or a combination.
thanks

#57 of 92 Re: Transmission [nosfurought2] by imidazol97

Oct 01, 2009 (7:28 pm)

Replying to: nosfurought2 (Oct 01, 2009 3:10 pm)
I don't believe the 97 leSabre has traction control. It has antilock brakes.
 
In the rest of your post, I believe you're describing when the load on the car gets greater such as a hill, the transmission doesn't downshift from 4th into 3rd. That is normal. At 65 mph it will cruise at 1800 rpm or some number close to that on the tachometer. When the load increases gradually, the torque converter will unlock and the engine speeds up several hundred rpm depending on how much extra throttle has been applied. The extra engine speed usually gives enough extra power to maintain speed even in 4th gear. But applying the throttle gently might not get the results you want. What you can do is just move the shift lever to 3 and the transmission will downshift to 3rd and rev the engine a little more and have substantially more power. You do NOT need to undo the cruise control to do this. After the load is over just shift back into 4th or OD.
 
I believe the computer learns driving patterns. If you continually do rapid starts and higher throttle acceleration, the engine and transmission shifting are adjusted to expect to do what the driver indicates. So the car may learn your driving if you do want a more showy or brisk driving style. That may, may affect how the car does the slow acceleration when climbing a noticeable hill in 4th gear. Remember the car has been generally calibrated to get 29 mpg overall. Many people can get 32-33 driving interstate speeds on trips. Staying in 4th gear helps the economy.

#58 of 92 Re: Lasabre transmission won't engage [mikes36] by bob252

Dec 07, 2009 (11:35 am)

Replying to: mikes36 (Mar 18, 2009 2:50 pm)
Well I hope you do not continue this procedure, I would suggest changing the fluid and especially the filter inside of the transmission. When the fluid thins out it can get by the filter that is why I am guessing that is what you have for this problem. Quite simply pull the transmission dipstick and smell the fluid, check the color to see if it is still a pinkish or reddish color, that is the dead giveaway. If you continue what you are doing and the fluid is bad you will most certainly finish off what is left of the trans. if you are mechanicaly inclined it is not really a bad job to do, the only trick you need to know here is to remove the splash guard from the starter to get the pan off easily, it is a dirty but simple job.

#59 of 92 Trans. does not always downshift when come to stop. by rcrtj

Dec 11, 2009 (6:46 pm)

Codes say solenoid but; 1-if manual downshift to 1st when stopped appears to start in 1st but may hestitate before so; 2-if manual downshift to 1st when stopped and then select D it starts is in 3rd gear i.e. not downshifted;3-if manual downshift to 1st when moving and put in D from stop all ok, that is it starts in 1st and upshifts normal. Appears solenoids are functioning but not always getting signal to downshift while running or at a stop. Last, this has been intermittant and has become morethe case than not recently? Estimate to replace solenoids $900 and may not be the real cause?? ideas? sensors?

#60 of 92 Re: Transmission/Bearing [barbara13] by niceride3

Dec 15, 2009 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: barbara13 (May 27, 2008 9:03 am)
The bucking might be the tranny can't make up its mind to get out of OD or locked torque convertor(?). Someone on this forum recommnended the use of an additive to reduce the shuddering/bucking.
Mine was giving me a rough shift from 1st to 2nd at times. Not all the time.
My mechanic changed the fluid and gave the tranny a good flush $110.00 and shifts smoothly now. He said the fluid was past its time for changeout. 77K on vehicle.
 
fred

#61 of 92 Re: Transmission [imidazol97] by niceride3

Dec 15, 2009 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Oct 01, 2009 7:28 pm)
WOW 29MPG???? I wish!! I had my LeSabre on cruise (around 70mph) on a 300mi trip and and the Fuel Economy computer read 24.2 avg.
I have a '97 Regal that gets 27-30 mpg same 3.8L engine as my 2003 LeSabre.
Just had Plugs and wires changed, nothing special OEM stuff. 78K mi.
 
Fred

Messages Page 7 of 10

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