1987 Cutlass Salon won't go into gear

mrveezi · January 23rd, 2009, 08:52 AM

I have a 1987 Cutlass Salon with a 307ci V8 and auto trans. I am not sure what transmission is in it but I am sure it is the standard tranny for this model year since the car is all original. I have seen from time to time a little fluid leaking from the tranny as well as the rear main seal on the motor leaking into the bell housing but I don't think it leaks enough tranny fluid to keep the car from going in gear. I have tried things like Lucas and Trans Medix but those are only temporary fixes that really didn't work very well. I haven't had a chance to get the car in the air and diagnose visually what is going on under there but I was wondering if anyone else has seen a similar problem and could point me in the right direction.

gearheads78 · January 29th, 2009, 01:57 PM

What do you mean by it won't go into gear? The lever won't move or the car will not move once in gear. Will it move at all? Have to checked the fluid level? Does it smell burnt? Give us some more info on it.

joe_padavano · January 29th, 2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearheads78

What do you mean by it won't go into gear? The lever won't move or the car will not move once in gear. Will it move at all? Have to checked the fluid level? Does it smell burnt? Give us some more info on it.

To expand on that, does the car move in any gear (rev, low, etc)? Is the shift linkage attached to the trans? When you shift into gear, does it make a noise?

If it's the four speed overdrive automatic, your trans is likely a 200-4R. There are known weak spots on the input side of the trans that can cause a lack of motion (I've got one like that in my 86, unfortunately). The only cure is a new trans.

68conv455 · February 15th, 2009, 09:19 AM

We need more info. My ATSG 2004-R service manual states for "No drive in drive range" to inspect:
Oil Level
Manual Linkage
Oil Pressure
Overdrive unit
Forward clutch
Low & Reverse roller Clutch.

joe_padavano · February 15th, 2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68conv455

We need more info. My ATSG 2004-R service manual states for "No drive in drive range" to inspect:
Oil Level
Manual Linkage
Oil Pressure
Overdrive unit
Forward clutch
Low & Reverse roller Clutch.

Considering that the original poster hasn't responded with more info in over a month, I'm guessing he/she has solved the problem.

January 23rd, 2009, 08:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
mrveezi Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	1987 Cutlass Salon won't go into gear I have a 1987 Cutlass Salon with a 307ci V8 and auto trans. I am not sure what transmission is in it but I am sure it is the standard tranny for this model year since the car is all original. I have seen from time to time a little fluid leaking from the tranny as well as the rear main seal on the motor leaking into the bell housing but I don't think it leaks enough tranny fluid to keep the car from going in gear. I have tried things like Lucas and Trans Medix but those are only temporary fixes that really didn't work very well. I haven't had a chance to get the car in the air and diagnose visually what is going on under there but I was wondering if anyone else has seen a similar problem and could point me in the right direction.

January 29th, 2009, 01:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
gearheads78 Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,566	What do you mean by it won't go into gear? The lever won't move or the car will not move once in gear. Will it move at all? Have to checked the fluid level? Does it smell burnt? Give us some more info on it. __________________ -Richard 66 Cutlass ragtop my way Keep watching your cotton candy coated TV while your world falls apart around you...

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February 15th, 2009, 09:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
68conv455 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 260	We need more info. My ATSG 2004-R service manual states for "No drive in drive range" to inspect: Oil Level Manual Linkage Oil Pressure Overdrive unit Forward clutch Low & Reverse roller Clutch.