Expert: Skip Bollinger - 10/17/2006

Question
I own a 99'Malibu w/127000k mi.VERY well taken care of!About a month ago my tranny started slaming when my car would shift gears....Changed my moter mounts,Left the shop my (RPM)hit the max at 7 and stayed at 7 rpm for about 5min while driving at 35mph.My trannt felt as if it where going to fall out right then.I had it towed 2days later to the shop they cant seem to find a thing wrong with the car?Would you happen to have any twosence in this?  

Answer
Amber,
  Without knowing which transaxle you have, I'm just giving you my $0.02. I'm a Parts Specialist, NOT a tech so just flow with me here, okay??
  There has to be a "shift" monitor on the transaxle. It is either engine RPM or tire speed actuated. It almost sounds like the govenor is sticking. What type of shop are you taking it to?? Is it "Bob's Brothers Sister's Cousins Auto Repair" or a nationwide transmission chain??
  I will tell you, you can find a cheap shop that will tell you they can repair your car and charge you $45.00 per hour. You can spend hundreds of dollars messing with them or you can take it to a place that charges $60.00 per hour and get it fixed the first time. Think about this, if the cheap place messed with your car for 5 hours, that is $225.00. If you take it to a transmission shop that knows what they are doing and they take 3 hours, that is $180.00 PLUS you didn't have to go back 2-3-4 times. You saved money and time.
  I wasn't trying to be blunt or rude. I'm just trying to give you help having been on a parts counter for 32 years. Like I said, I'm NOT a Tech, I'm an old Parts Specialist but I hope this gives you some positive direction. Good luck...
  Skip
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