Newest problem

[demonte1997]

Well.. at 42K miles this car looks to be more and more of a lemon. On my way from VT to RI I lost overdrive. It was weird.. the car wouldn't hold a gear past 40mph. So much for the 4T65e being better than the 60e. I had a dealership look at it and they said the problem was the torque converter clutch (TCC) solenoid stuck in the "off" position. They also said I had a set of misfire codes and that the car would need a full tune-up. The tune-up would cost about $700 and the tranny work would cost $600. So the bill would be an upwards of $1200. I told them to fix the TCC and leave everything else. After a new TCC, the car still doesn't seem to have overdrive. I brought the car back to the dealer to see what the hell was going on and the techs there explained that the misfire was screwing up the tranny. I ended up driving the car back to VT today b/c I needed to get back to class. The tach was reading 2.5K rpms at 55mph. The best part was taking one of the techs for a drive and showing him my tach and how high it was reading and having him say that it looked normal. Now I need to bring the car to a dealer here in NH..

Looks like I'll be selling this car a lot sooner than I anticipated. I've heard of GM buying some of the later model DOHCs back because they were built horribly. Hope I didn't miss the boat on that one.

Sorry for the rant.

[SappySE107]

If the engine isn't working right, its possible for the trans to be stupid about it. I dunno about your situtation though but it may be something simple or not. A full tune uo for 700 is insane. If you aren't doing your own work or under warranty, this is NOT the engine for you.

[grandprix34]

If you aren't doing your own work or under warranty, this is NOT the engine for you.

AMEN!!!!!

[demonte1997]

You guys are right. I don't have time to be working on this car everyday.

At 40K miles, I shouldn't have to be working on this car yet. The car is babied..

OBDII paired with the LQ1.. this car was doomed from the day it rolled off the assembly line.

[bud36light]

dude, ya gotta wanna work on these things IF ya wanna own one. We cant controll " what the dealer will diagnose" but we can sure as hell help YOU diagnose your 60* GM.

[demonte1997]

You're right. I thought I had tranny issues and my hands were tied. I can't work on tranmissions.. so I let the dealer have a crack at it.

I'm sorry I even posted this. I was venting. It was more of a "Jesus.. how many problems could I possibly have with this car?" post, than a "Please help me diagnose the problem" post.

[SappySE107]

Im not sure but I think that TCC selonoid may be decently simple to fix. Ive never messed with it either but I know someone has on this board.

at 40k, the engine should be fine. Spark plug wires and spark plugs should be changed out by now. Some Top Engine Cleaner should be ran through both the gas tank and through the vacuum lines as well to keep the engine cleaned up. O2 sensors still have 20k on them but between now and then they could get slower and less accurate.

Lot cheaper than 700 if you can pull the plenum off yourself

[Lyle's GTP]

I know I've saved myself a fuck load of cash doing my own work. Plus, I don't have to be haunted by the idea that it was a butcher job. This is, by no means a very difficult engine to do work on. It's no 350 but still. However, have you ever looked under the hood of a newer firebird. HaHaHa!

Lyle

[Juglenaut]

prices

in referance to first introduction post.

a decent set O wires are 79.99-105.99

Factory plugs a cheap as frell.

OBDE OE injectors are 89.99 each if not cheaper.

[Juglenaut]

I've heard of GM buying some of the later model DOHCs back because they were built horribly. Hope I didn't miss the boat on that one

Ahh alittle over due I'd say, the time is running out man

[Lyle's GTP]

WATEVA

Lyle

[Juglenaut]

305 or 350's are a PIA just to get to plugs arrr.......Unless you got a truck or pickup there is room.

[demonte1997]

I've heard of GM buying some of the later model DOHCs back because they were built horribly. Hope I didn't miss the boat on that one

Ahh alittle over due I'd say, the time is running out man

I agree.. except that this car has been driven so little that it is a different story. Most Montes my year would have at least 80K on them now. That said, the symptoms my car is displaying now might have occured 4 or more years ago. I only drive this car once a week, if that. That's a pretty low frequency of usage. The car basically sits in its garage all year round and is only taken out when the weather permits. Of course I make sure to start the car twice a week to make sure all the moving parts are lubricated and to prevent atrophy. I really think that if this car was run normally in everyday driving (say 10-20 miles to work and back each day) it would have broken down a year or two into its ownership.