so driving the 87 fifth avenue the other day and it developed a shake while downshifting, this quickly turn into a no drive or reverse, there was also a whining sound.
The car would not move at all. I let it cool down and it ran OK but not good to drive the 2 miles back home. Now I notice it is leaking fluid. The fluid smells burnt.
I havent got around to checking any thing yet, but my question is I am sure the converter failed but what are chances the tranny may be OK.
My questions are; was this a forced downshift, or an automatic downshift as when coming to a stop?
And is this in a recently overhauled unit?, or a long-time good-running trans?
The accompanying vibration and whining kindof points to a broken part. I haven't heard a TC whine, so going from personal experience, your symptoms are same as what mine did when the back planetary splines stripped out.
You still need to do your due-diligence as Bud instructed.
After that I would do a pressure test to prove the pump is OK,and the servos are working,or at least the L/R. If your pressures are to spec, then very likely the TC is Ok. You cannot bench-test the TC so it's now or never.
Having said all that, L/R bands break, and over-running clutches can split, so If the pressures are good, then drop the pan and check that band. If it is intact and has a reasonably close adjustment then if it was mine, it would be coming down.
I haven't pulled near as many units a bud, maybe a tenth at most. Naw not even that many. I mostly install shift kits, and diagnose them, and get somebody else to pull them,lol.Sorry Bud I couldn't resist,lol.
Back in the 70/80s a guy could make money in the RnR, but these days everybody plays the; I'm so broke can't you cut me a deal,card. I say sure, pull it yourself and save big money, I'm not particularly keen on that part of the job anyway. Suddenly they're no longer interested, and I get to go back to work on something I do enjoy.
At age 64,it's nice to finally be able to pick and chose my jobs. Currently I can still do that.