Tranny

[cypher_2001]

I have a 2000 malibu, and put about 30,000 miles on the car each year. recently, the tranny has started slipping when I back out of a parking space, stop, then put it into gear. I can't even feel it start to pull as if it is going into gear. Then I give it a small amount of gas, and it sounds like someone just learning how to drive a stick, giving it too much gas and not enough clutch. Eventually it will go into gear. This doesn't happen very often, but I am getting worried.

1. Maybe torque converter?
2. Maybe throttle positioning sensor?
3. Should I drop the pan and filter and see what it looks like in there?

Thanks!

Oh yeah, the tranny only has 64000 highway miles on it. Same with engine.

[RednBlack]

Get to a tranny shop. Make sure they are reputable and get a free diagnosis first. Reason I say that is,.....Look at my tranny history! Not good!

[bszopi]

I'd say check the fluid first...

[Lyle's GTP]

You pretty much have to got to a tranny shop even for that. Fucking Malibu's

Lyle

[sharkey]

if i remember right, your car will have the 4t40e. gm decides they could save a couple cents per car if it didnt have a tranny dipstick. instead, you have a red plug on top of the tranny under the crossover pipe (another mistake). anyways, here is how to check the level.

-jack the car up, all 4 corners to keep it level
-crawl underneath. on the passenger side of the tranny, just above the oilpan, you will see a 7/16" plug, crack it loose, dont remove it.
-start the car. with your foot on the brake, put the car in each gear for a minimum of 3 seconds, then return it to park.
-get out, crawl under the car and pull the plug out. if oil comes out, the level is good. if not, add oil through the hole in the top (take the red plug out) till it starts drooling out the hole.
-put the small plug back in underneath, shut the car off, and put the red plug back in, and burn the hell out of your arm on the crossover pipe.

if you are going to drop the pan, te refill it, poor 5 liters in before you start the car up. they usualy take 5-6l on a pan drop service (only put 4 in to start if you dont take the filter off).