Tranny Bad?

[audioguy99]

Hey guys,

I didn't get a response about the parts being interchangeable on a 93 Seville with my 95, but I'm going to look at the car today. The dealer is asking $875. It's got some minor wear/cosmetic issues, but overall seems pretty good.

The major problem is that on the phone he said it will shift into forward or reverse, but it won't shift gears. I said, "So the tranny is shot." I had to do mine a couple of years back. He replied, "I'm not sure, but it could just be some sort of electrical issue."

First, is there a possibility of a car not shifting being anything but a bad transmission? Secondly, if it is bad, how difficult would it be to do the rebuild myself if I'm mechanically inclined and time's not an issue since I have other cars? Even if I couldn't do it, would it be worth it to buy for that price (I'll probably offer $500 though), have it fixed, clean it up a little more (I'm a pro detailer), and sell it?

Thanks for any input. I know it's very obscure to talk about when I haven't even seen it up close yet.

Jonathan

[OynxSTS]

A dealer told you this? Is it a Cadillac dealer?

The shift solenoids are a common problem on your year of North* motor and can be fixed without removing the engine or the tranny from the car.

I would find a different dealer and ask them if you have a "shift solenoid" problem I bet you do. Is the check engine light on? Code 029?

These can be fixed yourself if you are at all handy.

I don't have the instructions... But if you do a search on this board I'm sure you will find someone who has already posted them.

Here is one Link to solenoid Re&Re

Good Luck

[Ranger]

See if you can pull the DTC's by yourself. Then check them here.

http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/dtcobd1.html

If you find something like

P028 (E028) ......... Open 3rd or 4th Gear Shift Or Shorted 2-3 Shift Solenoid [VCC]

P029 (E029) .............. Transaxle Shift 'B' solenoid problem (1st, 3rd, 4th gear)

P057 (E057) .......... Shorted 4th Gear Switch Circuit Or Shorted 3-4 Shift Solenoid

Then it is likely the solenoids. If they think the trans is shot, I wouldn't tell them otherwise. Buy it for the bad trans price and fix it for about $100 for the solenoid kit price.

[audioguy99]

Thanks for the replies. I checked out the car and here's what I found. Cosmetically, the car appears ok from a distance, but the interior is in bad shape. However, I was surprised to find that it is an STS with the North* engine. It has 152,390 miles.

I've posted the codes below and would appreciate any input as to whether or not this is worth my money either as a parts car/motor or to fix up and sell.

I034 (Current) ... Loss of Powertrain Control Module Data - Does this mean the PCM is bad and could be the reason for the tranny not shifting?

I052 (History) ... Keep Alive Memory Error

T072 (Current) ... Serial Data Link Fault

T073 (History) ... PCM - EBTCM/EBCM Pulse Width Modulation Signal Fault

S044 (Current) ... Lift or Dive Signal Fault

S061 (Current) ... Right Front Position Sensor Fault

S062 (Current) ... Left Rear Position Sensor Fault

Thanks again,

Jonathan

[PAUL T]

I would check the wiring from the PCM to the IPC and ACP. They could be unplugged from the PCM, shorted out or corroded connector. I do not see any tranny codes. "S" codes are suspension codes which means you need to check the wiring to the suspension air pump.

[zonie77]

As a flip the miles will really hurt the value.

Often the solenoids will stick and not post a code. If driven longer the code will come up. There could also be a bad connection at the trans plug but I think that's more likely to post the code.