My girlfriend Judy got her dream car, a 1987 cutlass supreme. The guy that sold her the car lied about several things. But one lie I'm not sure about is the transmission. When she drives her cutlass down the interstate, and pulls off thr interstate to a stop, the cutlass jumps and lurches like the converter isn't working right. The guy that sold the car to drive it awhile, and transmission will quit jumping and lurching at a stop. He said there a electric piece in the converter that is gummed up. I think the transmission is a TH200R4,with a 307 engine. Does anyone know if this is true about being gummed up, and will it get better with more miles on the cutlass. Help me out if you can.

 

Welcome Randy, if you can find an Olds. shop manual for 1987 ,in transmission section it has a listing of what possible causes for different problems. Check for vacuum leak, and take vacuum hose off the vacuum modulator. If there's transmission fluid at hose or in the modulator, replace the modulator. Can also be in the converter.
Larry

 

There is no vacuum modulator on a 200-4R. What you do have is a torque converter clutch. There is a solenoid inside the trans that operates the clutch, and yes, it does get sticky. The clutch is supposed to release at low speeds, but if the solenoid sticks, the clutch stays engaged, which is why it is lurching. Replacing the solenoid is pretty easy, but you have to drop the pan on the trans. Naturally, this is a good time to change the fluid and filter.

If you want a quick fix, simply unplug the electrical connector on the side of the trans. This will prevent the converter from locking up in the first place. You'll give up a small amount of gas mileage on the freeway, but the lurching will stop. Once you replace the solenoid, plug the connector back in.

 

).gbodyparts .com sells em for $36.95
i put one in my 86 gn a few years ago. "similar" trans.
Juve

 

So does RockAuto, NAPA, Advance, and just about every other auto parts store.