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3.5L does not catch any gears

3 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2008 at 5:51 PM

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#1 of 3 3.5L does not catch any gears by pcx May 21, 2008 (10:42 pm)
I have a 1999 3.5 GLS with 120,000 miles, auto. This weekend it ceased to catch in any gear. I can move the shifter through reverse, park, Drive, 1,2, and 3 but nothing happens. I only care about being able to drive but will list all known problems in case it helps.   1) Car seemed to hesitate in first gear. This was a one day event when it was foggy. Never happened before or after. Short drive, don't know if it would have persisted once warmed up. 2) Two days later, after oil change, car drove fine. Driving 35mph, a thunk, and then total loss of propulsion. Engine kept running and sounds fine. Transmission doesn't seem to want to engage. 3) After sitting two hours, I started the car. Car shifted into gear. A slight whining noise from engine or under car. Shift to Park to look. Transmission disengages and will no longer find any gear. Shifter moves normally with no binding. Engine light is on, don't have codes. 4) Day later. Mechanic goes to tow car, but says car shifted into gear. Not sure of details if towed or drove to shop. They don't want to touch it because the don't do transmissions.   Other problems, probably not related nor of major concern. a) Burns 2 Quart of oil every 3000 miles b) Starts up, then dies. Always starts right back up. Pumping gas helps. Either way car revs high, then runs fine. c) Refuses to start (once in 3 years) d) Windows don't work in warm weather e) Wife wants mini-van but loves the car.   Tonight I I've found a number of posts about the starting/dieing problem, but nothing about the failure to catch a gear. Any help is greatly appreciated.   Remember, I can shift, it just doesn't engage. Thanks Replies to this message: dtownfb (May 22, 2008 6:15 am) pcx (May 22, 2008 5:51 pm)
#2 of 3 Re: 3.5L does not catch any gears [pcx] by dtownfb May 22, 2008 (6:15 am)
Replying to: pcx (May 21, 2008 10:42 pm) If the transmission not engaging is a regular occurence, you need to have a shop look it over. At the very least replace the transmission fluid to see if this improves or worsens the situation.   The 3.5L engines burn oil. NO getting around this. At some point after 60k miles they will begin to burn oil. Watch your "low oil" light and keep a bottle of oil in the trunk. I have the Walmart 5 quart jug in my trunk for this very reason.   The starting and dying sounds like the beginning of an ignition problem. The general consensus is if it continues and the "Check Engine" light does NOT come on, it is most likely related to the ignition switch. If the light does come on, get it scanned. You may also see the "security" light stay on as well. That is related to the ignition switch as well.   You are simply experiencing some of the many "characteristics" of these vehicles. I'm sure there will be more to follow. Replies to this message: pcx (May 22, 2008 5:51 pm)
#3 of 3 Re: 3.5L does not catch any gears [dtownfb] by pcx May 22, 2008 (5:51 pm)
Replying to: dtownfb (May 22, 2008 6:15 am) <<If the transmission not engaging is a regular occurrence This weekend was the first time. And it is sitting in the mechanics lot because it won't engage period. We have never had a problem with the transmission until this happened. I always assumed you would experience some type of sign before a complete failure. <<you need to have a shop look it over. Sending it to a transmission place tomorrow for estimate. <<At the very least replace the transmission fluid to see if this improves or worsens the situation. I'll be sure to mention it as a first step. I don't have time until next weekend to work on it. I forgot to mention that after changing the transmission fluid, it always started looking dirty after 3,000K miles. Might have been trying to tell me something, but I just wrote it off as curious. 60,000K miles later I know see maybe there was something to it. thanks.

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