QuestionI have a 1991 new yorker fifth avenue, 144,800 miles
The problem is the transmission will shift from first to second, and after about 2 blocks,goes into neutral, I have to slow the car down to a near stop to have it shift into first gear, but then it is stuck in first gear until I again restart the car. The trans fluid is still pink and clear with no burnt odor. I have not had a sensor code readout, but I have tried by disconnecting the sensors to see if any change the trans function. My book I have only shows one speed sensor, but there is a second above the axel shaft housing, disconnecting this speed sensor kills the speedometor operation, the other speed sensor on the other side of the trans. does not seem to matter if it is disconnected or not, the neutral start sensor obiously works as disconnecting it I cannot start the car, the transaxel range switch only seems to make the backup lights not function, it has no other effect on the trans performance. I have tried disconnection the battery to clear any codes, but this only allows the trans to function near correctly for about a mile, then we are back to the two blocks and shifting to neutral. The car never shifts into third or overdrive, it quits after second then gets stuck into first. Reverse is fine, the shift selector does not matter if I have it in overdrive, 3 speed operation, or first. They all function the same, where should I start, am I looking at a rebuild?? or could this be a simple sensor problem, the second speed sensor appears to be dead.
AnswerHi Joe,
There is actually a third sensor, also on the side of the trans facing the front of the car, but it is at the very end of the powertrain so you may have missed it.
My inclination would be to get a code readout rather than guessing on what is wrong or buying parts without a basis for so-doing. There is a data link socket under the dash to the left of the steering wheel, blue in color with 6 pin sockets, three on a side, into which a dealer or independent trans shop with the proper reader and a the data link plug can readout the trans controller for fault codes. If you have that done, get the code numbers, the names of the codes, what they mean, what is the proposed fix, and estimated cost. Then write back and tell me about your results. We can compare the codes and prognosis with the shop manuals that I have.
It sounds like you have a trans that is in 'limp-in mode' which happens when a fault is sensed and so it shifts into 2nd only to use the minimum of circuits/parts until a diagnosis can be performed. I hope it is something simple having to do with a sensor or the electronic or hydraulic system. At 145k and 16 years of service we may find that the problem is internal mechanical which requires removal and replacement of some parts. But other faults can be related to the sensors or the solenoid box.
Roland
