Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: 1992 Century Transmission

Question
Merry Christmas Tom.  I have a 1992 Buick Century Special 3.3 engine with a 4 speed overdrive transmission. My question is; Sometimes when I stop at a red light etc. The transmission takes a while to go into first gear. I can race the engine and it will grab quicker. Also, I can pull the shift lever down into first and it will immediately go into first gear. I have had this issue come and go through the years. Do you know what is causing this to happen? If so, will you describe the problem and estimate what it will cost to have fixed? Thank you for volunteering your time and expertise. Stephen

Answer
HI STEPHEN, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AS WELL..IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE SHIFT VALVE IN THE VALVE BODY OR SHIFT SOLENOID IS HANGING UP..I THINK IT IS STAYING IN SECOND GEAR AT A LIGHT AND NOT GOING TO FIRST.[DOWNSHIFTING..] THIS WOULD EXPLAIN WHY YOU HAVE TO RAISE THE RPM'S UP TO GET IT TO START MOVING..YOU COULD TRY THIS AND SEE WHEN IT DOES START OUT LIKE THIS DOES IT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND TO THIRD OR IS IT SECOND TO 3RD ONLY IT SHOULD GO 1,2,3..IS YOUR OIL CLEAN,NICE AND RED AND IS IT FULL...IF NOT GET THE TRANS FLUSHED AND SEE IF THIS HELPS..BY FLUSHING I MEAN DROP THE PAN INSTALL NEW FILTER AND GASKET AND FLUSH THE CONVERTOR. THIS WILL COST AROUND $240.00.IF YOU DO NOT FLUSH THE CONVERTOR THERE WILL BE 4 TO 5 QTS OF DIRTY OIL STILL IN THE SYSTEM..IF YOU WANT TO JUST REPLACE THE FILTER YOU COULD THEN REMOVE ONE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES TO THE RADIATOR AND START IT UP AND FLUSH THE OIL OUT LIKE THIS TILL IT IS NICE AND RED AND CLEAN,THIS IS MESSY HOWEVER.YOU WANT TO HOOK A HOSE UP TO THE COOLING LINE AND PUT THE HOSE IN A CONTAINER OF SOME SORT TO CATCH THE OLD OIL.....BY FLUSHING THE SYSTEM IT MAY REMOVE ANY DIRT THAT IS CAUSING THIS SHIFT VALVE TO HANG UP..IF THIS DOES NOT HELP THE CAUSE YOU MAY NEED TO TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND HAVE THEM DROP THE VALVE BODY AND REPLACE THIS VALVE AND OR SOLENOID..THIS MAY COST UP TO $350.00..THE VALVE OR SOLENOID IS ABOUT $80.00 THE REST IS LABOR..THESE CARS HAD BAD LOCK UP CONVERTORS,WHICH MEANS THAT WHEN YOU CAME TO A LIGHT IT WOULD STAY IN 4TH GEAR OVERDRIVE AND STALL THE ENGINE ..YOURS IS NOT DOING THIS..VERY UNUSUAL.YOU ARE LUCKY... HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU,,,TOM...