Won't shift into overdrive

Tiny
SCOTT E. PETERSEN
  • MEMBER
  • BUICK LESABRE
2001 buick lesabre custom, 105,000 miles, 3800 v6 engine. Transmission would not shift into overdrive yesterday, we started out with a cold engine and even after it warmed up it would not shift from 3rd to overdrive. Stopped and ate breakfast ( 10 mile drive). Came out and drove home now had what sounded like a low fire whistle sound that would get higher pitched as engine rpm increased and still would not go into overdrive, got back home and had a hot smell coming from under hood(almost like a hot electrical component smell) checked tranny fluid and is normal as well as radiator fluid. Car ran fine day before. No idiot lights came on. Also transmission was rebuilt exactly 1 year ago and new radiator with tranny cooler installed at same time. We have had alot of problems with this car. Please help me out? Thanks
Monday, November 19th, 2007 AT 11:00 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Need to scan the powertrain for any transmission codes, most likely stored something if it wont shift into OD.

This guide can help us and I can tell you I have found that if the thermostat is stuck open it can cause this issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Also, with that kind of noise the catalytic converter can be partially clogged lowering the engine vacuum which will cause the transmission to stay out of overdrive.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 AT 11:21 AM

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