Overdrive not working?

GODZILLA0369

MEMBER
1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
240,000 MILES

Have no overdrive. Driving, gear selector in OD, the transmission stays in 3rd let off the gas pedal and it's as if it's in neutral the RPMs fall back to idle. Press the accelerator and the tach/RPMs gauge rises in until it catches up with 3rd gear. It's as if there is a 3,000 RPMs stall converter in the transmission. That's at around 65 MPH it differs on what speed you travel. Let off gas it falls back to idle press the gas the RPMs rise until it catches up. Any ideas?

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,256 POSTS

Yep, it sounds like the transmission is bad, but you should check the fluid condition and change it if it is burnt. Also, we can run the codes to see if anything is stored.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

and

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

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can see the problem? That way I can tell for sure what's going on.. You can upload it here with your response.

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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 11:31 AM

GODZILLA0369

MEMBER
2 POSTS

In the video you can see the gear selector is in overdrive and the tachometer fall to idle and when I press the accelerator it jumps to around 3,000 RPMs which it stops climbing when it hits where 3rd gear is, then I drop the selector down to 3rd gear to show that that's where 3rd is. It's like a stall converter. I was told that if I unhook the battery and reset the car, that it might restore OD will try this morning before I go to work. Thanks for the help.

Video (Click to make bigger)