The Pontiac Fiero was a sports car manufactured from 1984 to 1988. Although it was never widely popular, hence its short production run, the car has become popular in later years with auto enthusiasts. Like any model of vehicle, Fieros have problems from time to time. Fiero transmissions problems can be especially tricky, as good literature to address this problem is not widely available. Keeping in mind a few simple tips can help make dealing with this sort of problem easier.
Getrag transmissions were produced by General Motors starting in 1986, and a few of them were made a part of the Fieros of that year. However, Fiero-specific Getrag transmissions are rare, so if you are looking to replace one, you might have a problem. However, it is possible to use the Getrag transmissions from the following vehicles in your Fiero: the 87-89 Cavalier, 87-88 6000, 87-89 Beretta, 87-88 Celebrity, 87-89 Corsica, 87-88 Cimarron and 87 Fierenza. Any Getrags made after this year have a design that is incompatible with the Fiero.
One place to frequently check for wear on your Fiero transmissions is the Timken side bearings. They are on the differential assembly. If they wear out too much, they could severely damage your shaft, which is expensive to replace.
Axle seals can be tricky to install. To be safe, you may want to remove all the sealant you can from the seal and use Locktite # 518 sealant, which works well with the Fiero. Also, when tapping the seal into place, try to find a round driver that closely matches the head. A piece of PVC pipe will work.
When overhauling a Getrag transmission, always replace the input shaft bearing, the main shaft bearing, the main shaft side bearing and the axle seals. Also, if the Fiero has more than 70,000 miles on it, consider replacing the clutch release arm and bearings. You can usually reuse all the other parts as long as they are in good condition.
If you notice your transmission locking up a lot or it stalls when you stop at a light, your problem could be a locked solenoid. The solenoid is a feature in the Fiero's automatic transmission that prevents the transmission from revving too high, thus saving gas. When it is stuck, however, your car will not operate properly. Unplugging the lockup connector is the best way to avoid this problem.
