Questions and Answers

Chevy Lumina Automatic Transmissions Q. About a week ago, as I was driving, my car started hesitating when slipping into second gear. The next day, it was weak even in first gear. I checked the transmission fluid and it was low, and what was there was quite burnt. So I drained and filled with fresh and it seemed to go back to normal and worked for about a week.

At this point it started doing the same things again, but only occasionally. I let it sit for a couple days and when I went out to drive it again, it seemed I could step on the gas and the engine would rev up to a high RPM but it just couldn't muster the strength to move the car.

I would really like to get this car running again as even with such high mileage on it, the rest of the car is in fixable condition. I'm wondering what part of the transmission you think might be going bad, and if I should attempt a rebuild or just buy a replacement. Transmissions for this car have been kind of hard to come by and are running around $1,000.00 without core fee.

Also curious if a transmission from a newer model with the same 3.1 liter engine would bolt on to mine or if the technology is just too different, as I have found a 1998 transmission from a wholesale dealer for around $100.00.

• 1990 Chevy Lumina
• T 3.1 liter V-6
• Automatic transmission
• 218,000 miles

Thanks...

A. These transmissions ought to be a dime a dozen! There should be thousands out there. It's either a THM125 3 speed or the THM440 4 speed. The transmission from a 1998 car is electronic controlled. Yours is not. It may be rebuildable, depends what's bad inside.