2003 Buick Century

2003 BUICK CENTURY
170,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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PHIL GROLEAU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Good morning,

I will be travelling to Florida in February and I am hoping that this is not a expensive problem to fix. I have had this car for five years and it has never broken down...once. I am hoping you can help me.

My question is as follows:

For several weeks now I have been experiencing some difficulty getting my car into gear particularly when cold. I place my car in forward gear (drive) and it seems to sit in a neutral kind of setting (out of gear) and a few minutes later it "pops" into gear with a loud "thud"...it is very disconcerting. I was told by one mechanic that maybe I simply need to change my "tranny" fluid. I am hoping that is the case. What do you think ? I could sure use your help.

Thanks.

Phil
Jan 7, 2009 at 6:35 AM
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JALOPYPAPA
  • MEMBER
  • 467 POSTS
Unfortunately, it's probably not that simple. If you haven't already, I would at least make sure the transmission fluid level is correct. If it is, you may be headed for a rebuild. Short of that, triage might consist of trying out a new vehicle speed sensor and/or removing and cleaning the valve body (which would also require changing the fluid and filter), both probably jobs for a mechanic, but neither, in my experience, very likely to help.
Jan 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM