Got sold on the GM shuffle so what now?

[cutlass supreme FE3]

I don't know if you remember seeing the GM commercial many moons ago where they had a cutlass supreme FWD. The driver would floor the car and make the wheels spin and then while spinning slap the transmission into Reverse to make the wheels spins in reverse. He would continue to do this drive and reverse back and forth for like 10 times. Back then that commercial was called the GM shuffle.

Although it gave the impression that the powertrain on the cutlass was bullet proof. all that hype now is over and these car are reaching 20 years and the transmission would have all kinds of problems.

I would just like to know what issues to expect and what are the tell tale signs of tranny problems.

[TurboGTU]

Usually falling out of overdrive is one. Brown/smelly burnt oil is another. A whinning sound comming from the drivers side. Shaking/ shutter into 3rd gear.

[cutlass supreme FE3]

Usually falling out of overdrive is one. Brown/smelly burnt oil is another. A whinning sound comming from the drivers side. Shaking/ shutter into 3rd gear.

so far no falling out of overdrive, fluid + filter has been changed at 60 and 120 kilometers, do not hear any whinning sound from driver's side, no shaking or shutter into 3rd gear but I get a slight jerk changing into second gear.
Also loosing 1 pint of fluid per month but no leaks on the pavement?? mabye a few drops of oil but will not justify 1 pint

[TurboGTU]

Most I see seep oil they do it at the axle ends and around the trans cooler and hoses. Other is when the vacume modulator goes bad and seeps oil into the engine. Engines usualy smoke when that happens.

[cutlass supreme FE3]

Most I see seep oil they do it at the axle ends and around the trans cooler and hoses. Other is when the vacume modulator goes bad and seeps oil into the engine. Engines usualy smoke when that happens.

i see alot of oil sweat on the hoses but i do not have a cooler or engine that is smoking.

[TurboGTU]

Oil sweat is a good indication of a leak. They start dripping oil onece the car starts moving and the torque converter locks up when it heats up. Leaves the drops on the road and not on your driveway. By now those hoses should be rock solid and cracking or soft and bloted.

Also check the oil level once the trans is up to temp because theres a thermo element in the trans that holds oil when the engine and trans are cold and gives a bad reading.

The vacume modulator is located on the side of the trans toward the front bumber. THeres a hose running from your intake going down to the side of the trans and goes to a gold or silver round diaphram with a hose connected to it. Pull the hose and check for oil in it. If in doubt, just buy a new modulator.

[cutlass supreme FE3]

Oil sweat is a good indication of a leak. They start dripping oil onece the car starts moving and the torque converter locks up when it heats up. Leaves the drops on the road and not on your driveway. By now those hoses should be rock solid and cracking or soft and bloted.

Also check the oil level once the trans is up to temp because theres a thermo element in the trans that holds oil when the engine and trans are cold and gives a bad reading.

The vacume modulator is located on the side of the trans toward the front bumber. THeres a hose running from your intake going down to the side of the trans and goes to a gold or silver round diaphram with a hose connected to it. Pull the hose and check for oil in it. If in doubt, just buy a new modulator.

I think I should replace all the hoses as preventative maintenance as I do not want a hose to burst when driving on the highway or somewhere far.
where is a good source for these hoses? Dealers always want too much $$$.

how difficult would it be to change the modulator? Might as well change the modulator since it has been 20 years and give myself some peace of mind too.
do you have a part number? what is the cost?
thank you for your valuable info.

[Azrael]

Modulator is easy. Just remove the one bolt holding it in and it comes right out. Most of the aftermarket ones are adjustable so you might have to play with the adjusting screw to get it working the way you want it over a few trips.

[cutlass supreme FE3]

Modulator is easy. Just remove the one bolt holding it in and it comes right out. Most of the aftermarket ones are adjustable so you might have to play with the adjusting screw to get it working the way you want it over a few trips.

does anyone know what automatic transmission I have?
1988 oldsmobile cutlass supreme international.

[bszopi]

Most likely the TH125.

[cutlass supreme FE3]

Most likely the TH125.

so the TH125 is a four speed automatic transmission with overdrive? correct?

[bszopi]

Nope. The TH125 is a 3-spd tranny. I guess there is a chance that its a 440T4 (ie 4T60), if you do in fact have overdrive.

[cutlass supreme FE3]

yes there is overdrive