Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: !994 Buick LeSabre transmission problems, better mileage, buick lesabre

Question
1994 Buick LeSabre 3.8L
When driving car, it sometimes hesitates to go in gear from one speed to another, sometimes hesitates to pick up speed on a hill, but if you shut it off and turn it back on {sometimes it make take 2 or 3 times to do that} it seems to be fine but will start all over again. Is there anyway that you can explain what the problem may be?

Answer
hi gary.well this sounds like a torque lock out switch malfunction.the easy way to tell ,there is a 4 or 5 wire plug in the front of the trans closest to the radiator unplug this and drive the car if this works this sensor is bad .you can have it replaced or forget about it your call.some cars will not let you do this .not real sure about yours.what this sensor is supposed to do ,is when you are in overdrive at 55 mph the switch will lock the torque converter .to reduce slippage for better mileage about 2 mpg,s.however when it does not funtion properly it will actually keep torque locked and will have the same effect as trying to accell in 5th gear  on a std trans..another prob it seems to create is wanting to let the car take off from stops in high gear and stalling of course.hope this helps vote for expert of the month please billymac