I previously posted a topic "Tranny isn't shifting into final gear 87 Cutlass Ciera" you can view it here: http://www.oldsconnection.com/forum/vie ... php?t=2661

And I felt that the transmisson wasn't shifting up into it's final drive gear, I was getting really really bad mileage and you could tell that the engine was working harder, and there was a lack of power (you had to give a lot more pedal to get some go) So I was out snooping around on the tranny to find some numbers, and this is what I found. I found a sticker, laminated, and it has 7 Large letters, with a serial bar code on the bottom, with a number above that. would this sticker have survived 20 years and 190000kms? And were there bar codes 20 years ago??
I think that perhaps there was a transmission switch, and they did somthing wrong putting it back in.
Here are the letters:
PDC BGRJ (large letters)
617PDCJBGRJ (serial number above barcode)
(b a r c o d e)
There was also some small type between the PDC and BGRJ but it's ripped and missing, all I can make out is GM C(probably Canada)
WIN(don't know what follows)

Let me know what you think, I seriously need to see the guy who did the work on the car before it was in our possesion!

Thanks
Chris Ritcey-Conrad

Have you driven the car when it was working correctly, getting good mileage, and proper power? If so, I doubt it is a problem with who installed it (if it has even been changed). If not, what are you comparing your results to?


The stickers on vehicles parts are made to withstand oil, dirt, and time, to some extent. I would not doubt the sticker is 20 years old, and is the original trans. Yes there were bar codes 20 years ago.

My take - unless you have reasons other than a barcode sticker in good shape, I wouldnt jump to the conclusion that the trans has been replaced.

85cierraholiday has already confirmed that your trans is infact the correct one for your car, and, has only 3 speeds. If in further doubt, take it to a transmission shop, and get them to look at it. It will cost a nominal fee, but could prove invaluable as far as peace of mind.

When I was driving it in the summer (May through October) the transmission always took about 10-15 minutes when first being drivin (in the morning, or the first drive after sitting) untill it would settle into the final drive. I just didn't think much of it, Thought it had somthing to do with warming the car up. But now it just seems to be not going in. We're not driving the car anymore, becuase we put our other one back on the road. But when we were driving it in the summer, she always had lots of get up and go when crusing at 80-100km/h, there was a noticeable passing gear. And gas mileage was great, 600-700km's on a tank. Now gas mileage is like 150-200km's for 20Liters, and that passing gear isn't there when crusing at 80.
Here's is how the car shifts for me when working correctly under moderate acceleration,
Put in Drive and accelerate -1st
It shifts at 20-30km/h -2nd
Shifts at 40-50km/h -3rd
Shifts at 70-80km/h -4th
if you accelereate lightly, then the gear that shifts at 70-80, will sometimes shift at around 60-70.
I think I will have it taken to a transmission spot, also I might change the fluid, and do a flush to see if that does anything.
Thanks for replying!! I enjoy having different peoples views!

CRC

Doesnt sound like the trans causing this problem.

Ok lets get some basics out of the way here
1. There is no 4th gear, you have a 3 speed transmission. What you may be feeling that seems like another gear change is the torque convert locking up bwtween 35 and 45 mph. This was a fuel economy measure, and can feel like another gear change.

2. "But when we were driving it in the summer, she always had lots of get up and go when crusing at 80-100km/h, there was a noticeable passing gear."
The 2.5/125c combo isnt much for 'get up and go" to say the least. 80-100km/hr is around 50-60mph. That is about the end of the 2.5's "power" by 70mph its out of breath, and anything over 80 is heart attack danger.

The 125 C was never a smooth transmission, and the 1-2 shift is hard when the car is cold, mine does this with 80,000 miles on it, so did the 87 Pontiac we had with the same engine/trans.

Understand that this combo is working very hard to move the weight to the Ciera around. If your easy on it, the shift will feel much smoother, but if you get on it even a little you'll notice the car doesnt have much power.

I dont think changing the fluids is a bad idea, its easy enough and if the fluid is dirty will make some improvement in the trans. shift smoothness.

I agree with 88Delta, I dont think theres anything wrong with the tranny.
The most common problem with the 125C is stalling at stop lights becuase the trans gets stuck in 3rd gear and stalls the car. You can read all about people who've had issues with the 125 C doing this a www.a-body.net . Other then that the 125 is usually a good tranny.

Thanks guys, I'm going to run with some of this info, do some research on where the car has been, and change the fluid and filter. We'll see where that leaves me after I'm done!

CRC

Has new fluid/filter made a difference in the car?

Sorry for not replying right away, or after awhile for that fact. lifes been busy, I know we all can relate to that!
I didn't change the fluid or filter, I added a tranny additive to it. The transmission works like it did when we first bought it. After about 10kms of driving first thing in the morning, the TC will lock up. And if it hasn't been drivin in about say 2 hours, it takes about 5 minutes before the TC locks up, even driving at speeds in excess of 90km/h. A local mechanic who used to work at Fairway Chev Olds which was a dealership here a long time ago has given me some ideas, sticky valves, TC sensor... I might just have him do a once over on the tranny to see what he thinks. As I'm preparing for university, it's hard to sink money into it. It's craving for a new pair of struts/shocks up front, jitters off the road when you go over bumps, scary! But other than that, she's been working great, Cruise Control isn't always right there, kind of a second or two behind, but I think thats just the nature of the beast!

Thanks!!

CRC

So I finally changed the fluid and filter in my transmission. Was a messy job, but it got done. New fluid and a filter, I figured I was going have a new transmission. Not quite, still the smae ol problem. Takes that 10k to warm up before the TC locks up. Got any other ideas?? I know that the TC Sensor is next, but University comes first and when it's cold out, it takes even longer for the TC to lock up, and driving at speeds of 120 km/h really sucks the money out of the wallet. And I was told that I have to take the side panel off the tranny to get at the sensor. Is the side panel on the driver's side, and there's a motor mount bracket that goes over it? Well, I guess I'll figure it out sometime soon.

Thanks


CRC

IT might just be a TCC solenoid switch not working right. but it should throw a code but not always. or just a burnt up tourqe converter.