95 Deville - Transmission shot?

marccaron21 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-22-08, 09:23 PM

I was driving on a highway earlier today and take my exit. As I speed up to pass someone, my car seems to slip out of gear, or into neutral. I pulled over, put it in park, and started to drive off again. For some reason, the car does not like to shift out of first gear. It'll slip into a neutral position and won't go anywhere. It also won't reverse. In fact, when I put it in reverse, there's a noise that's audible from the engine bay. It's a clinky noise, and sounds like popping popcorn.

The transmission fluid levels are fine, and the fluid itself did not smell burnt or look too dark. It kind of smelled like wax crayons. The motor runs fine. It just won't move out of first and it won't move in reverse at all.

What do you guys think happened? The car is a 95 Cadillac Deville with the 4.9L V8.

**Ranger** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-22-08, 10:09 PM

Not sure, but maybe shift solenoids. Have you pulled the DTC's? A failed shift solenoid should set a code.

marccaron21 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-22-08, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Not sure, but maybe shift solenoids. Have you pulled the DTC's? A failed shift solenoid should set a code.

Nope, I haven't been able to get any trouble codes. I was more worried about getting home, haha.

How sure are you on the shift solenoids thing off hand? I'll know for sure once I'm able to scan it.

**Ranger** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-22-08, 10:53 PM

Not real sure of the solenoids based on your symptoms. No need for a scanner. Just press and hold the OFF & WARMER buttons to enter the diagnostics and get the DTC's. After your in answer yes to the prompts with the HI FAN button and NO with the LOW FAN button.

Rodya234 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-22-08, 11:13 PM

I may sound like a broken record here, but if you don't get any codes the problem could be a stuck shift valve. I've had two 4T60-E's with this problem already, and the symptoms you describe sound exactly like the second one.

(The first one was having 2nd gear starts, but the solution to the problem was the same.)

Caddyshack100 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-23-08, 09:41 PM

I agree with Rodya about the valve, however the noise you are hearing is probably your reverse reaction drum, the splines on it are probably damaged by now and that is also why you are not getting reverse, Have you tried to go manually from 1 to d through each gear? How many miles are on this tranny?