1990 Buick Century trans problems

Today I drove to work and noticed a whirring noise, like the RPM's were high. Well, on my way home, I hear the RPM's REALLY high, sounds like the engine's going to blow, so I backed off of the gas and it felt like it was in neutral and it slowed down significantly. I get to my husband's work and he says it's the transmission. It sounds like it's in first so he had to drive back to work but drove carefully (maybe 15mph) and it's about 2 miles from where we live. Well, my question is, could this POSSIBLY be a clogged transmission filter?? Or does it sound like we need a new tranny?? It's got 157,965 miles on it and we've had no problems for the past year with it (drove it 1,000 miles for a move), kept up on everything, but it showed no signs til LITERALLY today.

Any ideas?? I would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

Check your Tranny fluid level. If low you need to find your leak. If not low I would gamble on a fluid and filter change. A plugged filter would do this. You may also check your modulator valve if you have one (most do)
the diaphram can rupture and the engine will burn your tranny fluid. Also the modulator valve can cause all kinds of weird shifting problems. Modulators are cheap and easy. Under $20 at most parts stores and usually one bolt to hold it in. Good Luck.

It's definitely not the fluid level, that was fine. It's not burning, it only shifts into 1st gear and reverse, neutral, park. It doesn't shift through the drive gears going from 1 to 2 to 3. It'll only stay in first (this is an automatic trans) even if it's in Drive or Overdrive.

Any other suggestions?? Or is it time to get a new tranny?? It's just not shifting through the regular drive gears.

And the saga continues...

Yea, it may be toasted. It could be a plugged filter. But it would be unusual for it to become so plugged all at once. Also a bad modulator will shift stangely but will usually shift. I would suspect that the govenor output is low or not at all. The pressure from the govenor is what acts on the spool valve against the modulator to actuate a shift. A stuck spool/modulator could cause one to hold a gear as you describe. If you remove the modulator valve the spool valve should come out of the same hole with a telescopic magnet. I think you have the 4T60 tranny. There are some really helpful transmission books available at most parts stores. At least if you must go to the tranny shop you will sound like a pro. Again, good luck.

Did you check to see if the shift linkage adjustment came loose? It's probably OK, but at least that one won't cost you anything to fix.

It was a clogged filter. Needless to say I'm happy...but it's still sifting a little funky only bc the filter is new. The filter had a lot of crap in it...even a few sharp objects, but the guy (tranny specialist) said that after the car adjusts to the new filter it shouldn't sound so funky (the RPMs).

Thanks!

Thanks for the update. I enjoy hearing when some of our advise helpped.
Thank goodness for easy, and cheap cures.

Mehh ... those plastic pieces found in the clogged filter?? Part of a bearing case or something. Tranny will be out in 1 mo- the end of this year.

Gonna be looking for another car. :( WAHHH!

Thanks everyone.

I'm hoping to find something affordable and HOPING that the Century will last us til we can afford to do so...we'll be so in trouble otherwise. oyyyy.

A tranny can be "baby-ed" a long way. Those pieces may have been from a bearing car as you say, but don't push it and you should be alright. If a rebuild could be justified the tranny shop would have tried to sell you one. A rebuild on the 4T60 isn't so bad or get some friends over and install a rebuilt one. Buy the beer and have a great weekend without the women folk. Or just buy another car. I am just dreamin of beer :-) Good luck.

ROFLMAO! I am a woman!

I read this to my husband, he's going to ask his bro's uncle about possibly rebuilding it. I'll keep you posted on this never-ending journey!

Thanks!

Cool. I can barely get my wife to put in gas.