I have a 1990 Grand Prix Turbo (actually my wife does) and my truck is in the shop so I borrowed her car to go to work. On the way home I drove a little fast but wasn't "dogging" it. As I turned on to my road, I downshifted (went from Overdrive to drive) and when I did that it felt like I had pushed the brake. Then I tried every other forward gear, and it did the same thing. I pulled over and put it in park and killed the motor. After a minute or so, I restarted the car and none of the gears would work except neutral. What I mean by that is in every other gear the car acts like it's in park even if you try to push it it won't roll (except in neutral). Since my wife is pissed and I know nothing about Grand Prix's, I am hoping one of you guys could help me out...
Thanks
#1 check the fluid level (look for fluid quantity and or discoloration)
#2 check to see if the vaccume hose on the modulator is on (on turbo models its under/behind the turbo to intercooler pipe)
#3 check vaccume hose to the TB
#4 check or replace the vac mod $10.99
#5 adjust your vac mod ajdustmant screw (put one turn then drive then one turn then drive etc.....
There are quite a few more things but these are the apparent ones.
I strongly suggest not downshifting or anything crazy in these cars :cry:! Motor is awesome, trannies are ????able!
Its common for OD to lock up on these trannies. The car will act like you are holding the brake, meaning you can build boost against the trannie, but it won't go anywhere, but the car will roll freely as if in neutral. If you were in OD as you turned, then manually pulled it into 3rd, thats all it needed to lock the rotating assy of the tranny (its basically stuck in OD and in another gear at the same time).
Chris
yeah that 2 :D !
Okay...How do I fix it..Or does a shop have to.
I hate to say it, but this is one isntance of "if you have to ask, you can't do it". Probably best to take it to a shop to have it done. I haven't tackled a rebuild yet, but considering the neccesary updates and possible problems, I would have a shop do it.
Jason (eclipse) has done a rebuild, so maybe he can add here.
Chris
Yes, I've done it. I've done lots of stuff on my Cutlass and my TurboSTE, but this was probably to biggest thing I've ever done. It's not easy, I'll warn you now.
1.You need special tools. I had to make two of them, and borrow two more. The rebuild can't be done without them. There are teflon seals that need to be replaced and sized, and most of the rubber ones need to be installed with special tools to provent them from rolling/getting cut during assembly.
2.You need to know how to take it apart, clean it, replace bushings, and reassemble it like it was. Torque everything just right, put every spring back where it was, etc.
3.You need to know whats wrong, and what else it might affect. What stuff should you look twice at, what stuff should be replaced. What are the common problems with the 440T4, and how to identify the broken and warn parts.
4.Now you need to spend cash for new stuff. Torque convertor, rebuild kit, washers, bearings, bushings, hard parts, filter, fluid, etc.
5.Next everything must be reassembled just like it was taken apart. You'll also want to apply a shift repair kit, like the TransGo JR kit. It fixes many design flaws with the 440T4, and ensures a longer life for it.
6.Once all of that is done, you need to fill the convertor, put the trans back in the car, and hope it works. I spent many nights worrying about how the trans is going to function. Will it shift? Will it shift right? Will it die in 2 months? In fact, when I was reassembling the trans, I put the part in, and took it out, and put it back in 2-3 times to make sure everything was perfect.
There is a guy at a local trans shop that was helping here and there. Doing it myself, I had it about 90% correct according to the service manual, but he added a few other insights (and let me borrow tools). Things like "replace the cog/one way bearing unit--even if it looks fine", or "you dont need to do that" or "check this...". A little extra help is nice. He also told me of any updates I needed to do...but most of them were part of the trans shift kit. But I am proud, because I did almost all of it myself (except the little bit he helped me with). And after 5k miles (some of them very spirited driving) the trans is still perfect. Fluid smells like new, looks like new, the trans shifts great--like it did when I installed it.
I'm not saying you can't do it, I'm always for someone trying new things and doing it themselves. It's a code I live by. But it is not easy, and the car will be out for a few weeks (waiting for parts). In fact, I remember going to the trans shop (most of the guys there are personal friends of mine) and hearing them say "Why are you rebuilding a 4T60? It's one of the hardest to do!". I laughed and said, because I haven't done this before.
If you're only looking to save a few bucks by doing it yourself, get it rebuilt by a good shop. Make sure they know it's not a regular 440T4/4T60. And if they have doubts, find someone else.
On the other hand if you like a challenge, and have quite a bit of technical skill...go for it! It can be very rewarding to complete a task like this.
Here are just some of the pics of the teardown-rebuild.
http://www.turboste.com/trans-rebuild-pics
(Sorry for the long post...I have no life)
Jason