Hyundai Repair: Auto Transmission Problem with My 1994 Hyundai Sonata, transmission fluid change, hyundai sonata

Question
Dear Peppe,

The auto transmission of my 1994 Hyundai Sonata is becoming unpredictable, Some times the gear changes to the fifth gear and sometimes it will not. And whenever it refuses to change, the vehicle will be driving with only the third gear and forth gear.
Please Mr Peppe, advise, what should I do?

Thanks

Ime Iquoho

Answer
Hello Ime Iquoho,
Sorry, i signed up on this website as an auto paint expert. Do not know why i get mechanic questions.  If it were my car i would gamble on taking it to jiffy lube or some similar reputable place and let them powerpump out/clean my transmission fluid, change filter and see if that works.  Gamble is that it cost around $100.00 for them to completely pump out the old stuff and it may or may not do anything for your transmission at all.  It may just be time to repair/replace transmission. Also i would take it to AAMCO and sometimes they give you a free estimate that you can compare up with what a hyundai dealership wants to do the job.  I do not know if that will cost more than the car is worth, or if they can adjust something.

Better make a decision soon while you still have a few gears still running you can go car shopping - since it will probably get worse car shopping sounds like the smartest thing in order.  I would start by calling every church pastor in town and nearby towns inquiring if he knows anyone who has a car for sale there.  Sometimes they have a church bulletin board and the church secretary may know. Many times you get a good deal, some Christian trying to bless somebody...it could be you. I spent 20something years in churches in Texas/Oklahoma, that is how i know this.
Godspeed,
Joe Peppe