Transmission only shifts into neutral

KEN0228

MEMBER
1996 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180 MILES

Basically it goes into all gears but will not move unless in neutral. We even thought at one point it was the alternator because it would not even turn over. So got a new alternator and battery now starts just fine, but will not move when in any gear besides neutral. Fluid is fine. Cable connected. So is the belt. One day we were just driving down the road and it completely shut down. Like would not or could not get gas. It just stopped so after trying to get it started. Ended up putting it in neutral to wait on a tow. Fluid is not black or smells burnt and is not low.

6 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,577 POSTS

Okay, so the engine turns over and runs fine but the transmission does nothing? In park it does not move, but it will roll in neutral? Can you push/pull it in the other gears?
It sounds like an internal failure. When you say it stopped, was it like you applied the brakes or were you able to coast? From the description so far it sounds like a failed final drive chain.

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Thursday, November 30th, 2017 AT 1:39 PM

KEN0228

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4 POSTS

I was driving on freeway to me went up. I slowed down to exit. Stoped at a stop sign and then proceeded to pull over. I stopped the car then I had no gears. I can push it while in neutral with no problem. Put it in gear and car revs but goes no where.

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Thursday, November 30th, 2017 AT 1:52 PM

KEN0228

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I was able to apply brakes and coast. The rmp's went up right before the car started to coast. What is a final drive chain?

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Thursday, November 30th, 2017 AT 1:55 PM

KEN0228

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4 POSTS

Also, when I first turn the car over it acts like it wants to go in gear. After that nothing.

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Thursday, November 30th, 2017 AT 2:08 PM

PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO

MECHANIC
1,853 POSTS

Make sure that the shifter is actually moving the shift lever on the transmission cause if the shift cable actually broke then you could move the shifter all day long but it would not go into any gear.
Other than that about all you could do is drain the fluid, drop the transmission pan and see if there is a lot of debris that has fallen off clutches and is clogging up the filter. If so, clean out the pan, replace the filter and fill with new fluid. It will not bring the transmission back to new but you may get some more life out of it if it was that. Other than that the front pump may have gone out and for that, the transmission would have to come out to replace that pump, but first you should have someone check if there is a plug on that transmission that you can remove and hookup and pressure tester and see if the pump is putting out the proper fluid pressure or not. 1996 I believe uses electric solenoids to shift gears and apply the clutch packs and I doubt if they would all have went bad at the same time but if the transmission fuse blew it might either default to just second or third gear but it is worth checking the fuse.
That is the TCC cruise fuse in the underhood fuse center.
The line pressure should be 450-360 psi. There is a line pressure tap that allows line pressure to be monitored with a gauge. In park (P) range with the engine running, fluid pressure should be within those specs.