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You should drive it over to a auto parts store like Autozone, and ask them to scan it for a trouble code:) LOL
It's a THM400. I think the last year for the Slim Jim was 1964. It was used in Grand Prixs and Catalinas, while Bonnevilles and Star Chief/Executives used the old-fashioned, sturdier, but bulkier 4-speed Hydramatic.
It's holding the gears way too long. On hard acceleration, it acts normally, but on gentle acceleration, it wont upshift to second until around 35 mph, and when it does, it's a really harsh shift. It won't hit third until around 60-65!
And, the other day, playing around with it, I noticed that if you manually shift to first gear, it just goes into neutral. Shifting from drive to second gear does make it go to second, although driving around locally, it's rare to get going fast enough for it to engage third!
I'm hoping there's just something wrong with the shift linkage, or maybe a vacuum leak somewhere. It's not making any nasty noises, and the fluid is still nice and pink, and clean. No metal shavings in it. And it feels strong, for the most part, although if I'm doing around 50 and need to go faster, it seems like the engine needs to rev up a bit and there's a slight lag before the car actually accelerates.
I think some of those older transmissions can be more expensive to rebuild nowadays. For instance, the original Torqueflite 488, which my DeSoto has, might be more expensive than the later 727 and the 904 and its variants. And the old 4-speed Hydramatic is probably a lot more expensive than the newer THM transmissions. But hopefully a THM400 is still a fairly simple, generic beast.
The second transmission I had this shop rebuild was the 4L60E in my uncle's '97 Silverado. That was around $1860, a couple years ago.
In the meantime, I'm not driving the car until I can get it to the transmission shop, with the exception of moving it out of the garage when needed.
That's about what I paid to have my 4l60e rebuilt in '05 or so.
If it's not slipping or doing anything real nasty, it's probably not going to need to be rebuilt.
Let me guess.. the TV bushing failed and burned out overdrive? Ask me how I know....
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
I was just using the 1100 different Toyota owners whose cars have recently stalled, some at inopportune times, to explain a better fit to the phrase 'electrical gremlins'. You probably disagree because of your anti-GM perspective. Toyota seems to blame it on a manuf defect in the ECMs.
1100 people stranded.
one person has noise mixed in their ipod music.
I was only posting the links to show the various electrical problems some new Equniox owners were having that someone else originally brought up. Some GM fanboy was trying to say he couldn't find anywhere on edmunds the problems being reported and that everyone had given the Equinox a picture perfect review and implying that original poster was making it up.
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From...http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/101317154.html
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is upgrading its investigation into possible stalling problems in nearly 1.2 million Toyota Corolla and Matrix cars.
The issue, as described by NHTSA, is that the "engine can stall at any speed without warning and not restart."
The agency had opened a "preliminary investigation" into the problem at the end of November. At the time, the investigation involved only model year 2006 Corolla and Matrix vehicles. (The Matrix is essentially a wagon version of the Corolla.) That matter has now been upgraded to an "engineering analysis," a more detailed and thorough type of investigation.
The investigation now involves model years 2005 though 2007. Together, NHTSA and Toyota have received as many as 1,100 complaints of engine stalling, including six cases that involved crashes or fires, according to NHTSA documents.
By the time NHTSA opened its preliminary investigation, Toyota had already found two possible causes for the engine problems, according to NHTSA documents, both involving manufacturing problems with the engines' electronic control units.
"Based on its analysis, Toyota does not believe the alleged defect creates an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety," Toyota said in a letter to NHTSA dated March 2, 2010.
The automaker believes that, when there are problems with the electronic control unit, engine stalling is preferable to allowing the engine to run, risking a possible "catastrophic failure" or fire, Toyota said in the letter.
The letter, which was written in response to NHTSA's request for information, also provides details of some steps Toyota had already taken to deal with engine problems relating to the electronic engine control units on the Toyota models in question.
Toyota spokespeople were not immediately able to respond to a request for comment on the matter.
I don't know. Its unclear whether or not all stalling incidents resulted in a long walk, or if that was a by-product in only a few situations.
Either way, if it happens to you, it sux.
Also check the vacuum line at the motor end where the heat deteriorates the rubber...
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I think most makes are having this issue because of variations in ipods - Mac vs Windows, proprietary manufacturer software, etc.
As for the Equinox, there are a number of posts dealing with electronic or computer software problems affecting the drivetrain and GM hasn't been able to resolve them. That is the problem, particularly GM's apparent inability to get a handle on it which has to be aggravating to owners. It seems to be happening after the owners get some miles on them. You'd think by now GM would have figured it out along with a resolution.
As for Toyota Corolla stalling, you are absolutely correct that Toyota has a problem on several years' models since it has been elevated. It appears to know the solution, but is not stepping up to the plate IMO. I wonder if there will be another recall.
If this sounds similar to the "not the computer" response that they had to sudden acceleration... Well, I think there's something fishy with Toyota's story in both cases.
- Cadillac STS: The V-8 is gone. Only a 302-hp V-6 is available.
- Buick LaCrosse: The 3.0 V-6 is gone. The LaCrosse now comes with either a 182-hp 4-cyl or an 280-hp V-6
- Chevy Malibu: The 4-speed auto is gone. The 6-speed auto is now standard across the board.
- Chevy Camaro: The V-6 is now rated at 312hp, up 8 horsepowers.
Hmmm... Sounds to me thats exactly what Toyota says is causing the stalling.
The automaker believes that, when there are problems with the electronic control unit, engine stalling is preferable to allowing the engine to run...
They confirm it, but like the previous debacle, don't consider it to be any problem. Typical, I guess.(GM and Ford would likely do no better). And, as I pointed out, it is with the ECU.
So Toyota has known issues with its ECU units, but we have to take their word on it(since they won't let anyone see their code in question) that they had no other defects or problems with ECU units that might have caused the UA episodes.
Please be specific, and state why, IYO, they would release the code.
As for Toyota not considering it a problem .... well, that's your interpretation.
My interpretation is that, of all possibilities, Toyota is saying cessation of engine operations is the best single alternative. Where does it say Toyota is saying "no problem?"
The automaker believes that, when there are problems with the electronic control unit, engine stalling is preferable to allowing the engine to run...
I notice you left out the rest of the statement...
risking a possible "catastrophic failure" or fire, Toyota said in the letter.
I'm not defending Toyota any more than I would any other manufacturer. They have real quality issues that they need to address NOW!
Nor am I saying they are following the best course of action.
OTOH, Jeep is being investigated by NHSTA for gas tank fires on Cherokee models 1993-2004. Is that potential defect any more acceptable? I haven't seen any comment from Chrysler saying "Yep... Its a design flaw!".
I may change my opinion if/when its only Toyota issuing recalls and having problems. Like a couple of other posters, I feel the incidence of recalls and parts failures on new automobiles from ALL manufacturers points to the probability that some new and better quality control systems need to be implemented industry-wide.
It serves no useful purpose to bash a manufacturer in particular when its evident others are guily of the very same thing.
What DOES serve a purpose is to hold regulator's feet to the fire so that they can/will enforce a higher standard of quality across the board.
IMO, this is little different than the egg/salmonella debacle in progress at the moment. Instead of beating on the 1 or 2 producers with THIS particular problem, we should be DEMANDING a higher standard for the entire industry. If that gets done, then ALL the problems are resolved, regardless of manufacturer.
Wanna Buy America? Buy Ford
I predicted this long ago. GM will be owned by the Chinese in the long run. It makes perfect sense.
Those who want to support GM, by all means feel free. The company was, is and will be in flux for some time. At the end of the day, it will be foreign-owned.
Regards,
OW
"http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-who-will-be-gms-cor- nerstone-investors/"
Snuze LS: 138-hp, 123 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm
Six-speed auto: 22/35 MPG
Snuze LT (1.4T): 138-hp, 148 lb-ft @ 1,850 rpm
Six-speed auto: 24/36 MPG
vs.
Civic: 140-hp, 128 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm
Five-speed auto: 25/36 MPG
And for gits and shiggles...
Hyundai Sonata: 200-hp, 186 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
Six-speed auto: 24/35 MPG
"Chevrolet releases Initial Snuze EPA ratings"
"GM has said, however, that with the manual transmission they hope to achieve 40 miles per gallon highway – a figure they hope to be class-leading at the time of its introduction."
Like I have to be the first one to say it....Ford has the Fiesta, with 40 mpg.
As long as they put the Chevy truck grill on every car, I wont buy one. I know they went bankrupt, theres another reason, and you would think A VERY GOOD REASON to get more creative with the styling.........before OW says it, I will......Ford and Hyundai are gonna kick Snuze's behind.
Well, the Fiesta has one model, the SFE, that gets 29/40. The regular automatic gets 29/38 and the regular stick gets 28/37.
The Fiesta's also a subcompact car. The EPA lists its interior volume at 85 cubic feet and cargo area at 12.
The EPA doesn't list the Cruze yet, but when they do, it's going to be classified as either a large compact, or just barely a midsize. Edmund's lists the trunk volume at 15.4 cubic feet, and from the interior dimensions, I was able to estimate roughly 94.6 cubic feet. The cutoff for a midsize car is 110 cubic feet. The EPA tends to round off, so I imagine they'll publish 95 cubic feet for interior, 15 for trunk, so either way, it'll hit right around 110 cubic feet combined.
In comparison, cars like the Civic and Corolla have around 91-92 cubic feet of interior volume, and 11-12 cubic foot trunks. My guess is that the Cruze is going to come in around the same size as a Nissan Sentra, which, while marketed as a compact, is actually classified as (barely) a midsize, according to the EPA (97 cubic feet of interior, 13 cubic feet of trunk)
So, considering the size of the Cruze, I'd say its fuel economy ratings are pretty decent.
But therein lies the problem that GM has had and continues to have. The general public has the perception from many years of experience that GM cars with a few exceptions are inferior status. I have argued here before that GM can not succeed by merely saying "we're competitive in mpg, price, and quality". At this point GM needs products that are Significantly SUPERIOR. I'm talking 10% better mpg, 10% lower price ...
If you offered me to choose a similar mpg, and price car from different manufacturers it's not going to be a GM. The only 2 vehicles I see worth getting of GM's compared to the competition at a given price and size is the Corvette nd the CTS-V (the regular CTS is beat by the competition IMO).
Well, it certainly couldn't hurt GM if it came out with something revolutionary and affordable, like Chrysler did 25 years ago with the mini-van.
Maybe the Volt will be it, but the price is going to need some adjustment in order to attract a large number of buyers, IMO.
Provided Hundee can keep the Sonata on the road:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/report-nhtsa-investigating-steering-issues-on- -2011-hyundai-sona/
That's a good point, but it still starts several thousand dollars more than a LaCrosse. As for why it doesn't outsell the ES, I don't know. Maybe people don't want to pay that much for a Hyundai or maybe they don't want a RWD car. Who knows. The rags seem to love it, it seems to win every comparo with cars like the LaCrosse or ES.
Wow, what a major step backwards IMO. That car is ugly! For GM's sake, it better not look like that. This is a rendering, so hopefully it won't be that bad.
All of the above around here. My neighbor down the road has a Genesis sedan and we have several ES350's too. I see several LaCrosses too. Though I don't think anyone in the neighborhood has one, but they around town all day long.
OK, IMO, it's a more generic style than the current model. The view from the rear is particularly bad IMO. Those Camaro styled tail lights look out of place.
Looks like it will have the same platform and engine choices as the Regal. It will be interesting to see how that will work out. Probably not a huge deal, not offering a v6 as I'm sure the majority of the current Malibu's are purchased with a 4cyl.
"Edmunds.com Reports True Cost of Incentives for Automakers up Nearly 10 Percent One Year after Cash for Clunkers"
But to be fair, there's really nothing else in the Malibu's range that excites me either.
However, one thing that really bothers me, is that GM seems to still be in their old habit of coming out with something that's actually competitive, but then they wait too long before updating. The Camry and Altima were new for '07, the Accord for '08, so I imagine we'll be seeing a new Camry/Altima for 2012, and a new Accord for 2013? And against this, all Chevy does is refresh the existing Malibu? And, I'm not totally convinced the 2008 Malibu is all-new, but more of a heavy restyle of the old 2004 style that gave us the Malibu, Malibu Maxx, G6, and, later on, the Saturn Aura.
But, you never know. The 2010 Fusion isn't all-new, but a heavy restyle of the 2006-2009, and it came out pretty competitive. So, maybe GM can work some similar magic?
True, my brother has a '10 Fusion Sport with the 3.5 and it really impressed me when I got the chance to beat the hell out of it on some back country roads. It's quick, has solid handling, quiet, and I actually like the styling of the sport model. It seems to offer a lot for the money and I really dig Sync. Wish my Expedition had it.
No doubt Honda, Nissan, and Toyota are not sitting still, but I have to say each company's styling seems to be getting worse as of late.
I wonder if the Malibu's competition will stop offering v6's as well. I'd imagine Ford will keep offering a v6 in the Fusion for a while.
The 2008 Malibu was the fourth try at that platform. The upcoming Malibu is "new" in that the platform is borrowed from the new Lacrosse, but it's debateable just how much "new" was in that.
If I was going to choose a 4-cyl model, not considering nationality, union-made ... just a purely good value for the $, my vote would go to the Hyundai Sonata - good price, great mpg, great warranty. If I needed a AWD in that low-to-mid $20K range I'd go with a Subaru Outback 4-cyl. If I had more $ to spend, I'd go with an Infiniti G37 either in RWD, or more likely AWD where I live.
The Buick Lacrosse with AWD and 6-cyl. costs just about what a BMW X1 (SUV) is going to cost. Not that they're direct competitors, but it's not good for Buick, when a person can get in a luxury marque for the same $!
That's a good point, but it still starts several thousand dollars more than a LaCrosse. As for why it doesn't outsell the ES, I don't know. Maybe people don't want to pay that much for a Hyundai or maybe they don't want a RWD car. Who knows. The rags seem to love it, it seems to win every comparo with cars like the LaCrosse or ES.
I can't speak for other areas of the country, but in the Southeast, most Hyundai and Kia dealers aim towards the buyer on the lower rungs of the economic ladder.
For someone located in the middle and upper rungs of that ladder, its a real turn-off for a lot of them to buy what many would consider an upscale car from a dealer targeting that type of customer.
OTOH, Buick dealers around here seem to target buyers with better economic standing, and I can't recall the last time I have seen an advertisement from a Buick dealer targeting the 1st time/entry-level car buyer.
Others have said it before, but I think Hyundai will never succeed in a big way with cars like the Genesis unless/until they segregate their hi-line vehicles from the more basic ones... at least, in the Southeast.
This month, the Sonata beat the Malibu but is behind ytd. The turning point has been reached and the momentum is on the high underwear company at the moment imvho.
Sonata 21,399
Malibu 18,182
Shame on GM...nothing new!
Regards,
OW
For some reason, I just can't warm up to the Sonata, and whenever I try to rank the cars in this class, for it just tends to slip my mind. However, if I was looking for a car in this class, I should probably at least give it consideration.
The Mazda 6 is another car that, for whatever reason, totally falls off my radar. It could simply be that the few that I see tend to be stripper or rental cars, and they just seem cheap.
At this point, I think my first choice would be a tossup between an Accord/Fusion/Altima, with the Malibu next, and then the Camry after that. I dunno how a Sonata, or a Mazda 6, would fit into that order.
I used to like the Altima a lot, but I guess it's just getting old now. Meanwhile, I like what Ford did with the Fusion, and while the Accord took some flak for getting bigger, well, bigger is what I like!
One problem with Honda though, is that my local dealer left me with a bad vibe. Back when my Intrepid got totaled last November, I requested a price quote on an Accord. Never did get that quote, but to this day I still get emails from them trying to get me to come in and "talk". Even though I let them know, several times, that I bought another car...almost NINE months ago!
Our local Toyota dealer is pretty bad too. Last time I walked in there, I felt like I was hopping into shark-infested waters with an open wound. Nissan dealer's not bad, though. Off the top of my head, I don't even know where I'd go to look at a Chevy, as the three closest dealers to me closed, and the fourth, I can't stand (although my '85 Silverado originally came from there, when they were under different ownership)
Now, if I was looking at used cars, I might consider a Malibu, since they're probably going to depreciate more than an Altima/Camry/Accord, possibly even a Fusion, since Ford seems to be on a roll now. I had briefly considered a 1-2 year old Saturn Aura, until I found my Park Ave.