Trans trouble...

I have a 94 GA GT with a 3.1L 4 speed automatic trans. When its cold outside the trans won't take ahold into gear unless I place the shifter all the way back in second gear, then its fine. What could be causing this. And sometimes on the interstate the trans don't shift into overdrive. Also what could be causing this and are they related. Pretty for sure its not the fluid or filter just changed them about 3000 miles ago. Any help would be greatful.

Have you checked the Tranny fluid? Often when a tranny service is done and the fluid is replaced they do not always get enough fluid into the torque converter, it is kind of like having an air pocket in the brake line, when it gets to a certian point the brakes get soft and the pedal travels to the floor. It is the same with the tranny, when the pump gets to the point of low fluid it begins to slip. I would suspect thet the fluid is causing the problem.

Hope this helps.

I agree with Dan - it deffinately seems fluid related. It's either not full enough, like he said, or it's too dirty, causing slippage - a fluid emptying and fill with a filter change should solve it.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/0e/5b/f5/0900823d800e5bf5.jsp

Another thought

Hoags and Ridenour if you would have read all of my question you would see its not the fluid or the filter. I said I just changed it not to long ago and its not low. Thanks Knifeblade I'll check in to that.

You know, I DID read All of your Question And I Gave You some thing to Check Into, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT SOME TIMES A FLUID AND FILTER CHANGE DOES NOT ALWAYS GET ALL OF THE FLUID INTO AND OUT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER.

I sorry that my suggestion of something to check offended you. From your description and my experiences I was offering an avenue of inspection.
I hope you get it resolved.

Hoags is right, in that after a new fluid/filter change, the coverter takes time to "load" up. You may see appropriate level on the stick, but it may not have fully entered the converter.

Keep a good eye on the level.

well i have been keeping an eye on the fluid level its fine. It doesn't do this all the time in fact, but it is warmer outside, i haven't had any trouble with the tranny taking ahold. seems like if i have to acclerate fast or kick it down out of overdrive thats when, sometimes, it won't shift back into overdrive. sorry hoags for saying it that way i was just pointing out that i had just changed the fluid and filter.

Hey it's cool, Some one gsve me a suggestion when I was over on the Montana Forum, I was having a similar issue to your overdrive not engaging, btu I was also having more of a problem with the thing not down shifting any way the suggestion was for me to tap on the brake pedal, my guess was that it caused a vacuum and the torque converter lock up would then allow the thing to shift, I don't know if the same proceedure would help but you may want to give it a try next time your out in the car and it acts up. Hell, I don't even know if the lock up on a GA is operated via a vacuum.

Oh yeah I wanna add this, when on the interstate cruising at about 70 or so and when its not in overdrive if i let off the gas pedal all the way the car will shift into overdrive, but once i get back on the gas it kicks back out. dont know if that will help in anyway but i just wanted to add it in.

In that case, definately check out the vacuum modulator.

Ok. I won't be able to look into it til next weekend. I'll let you know about it.