Went to the poconos for the weekend with a few friends. Jumped into my brothers S-10, meet up with my buddy and his g/f, and off we went. Got to about exit 34 on the NE extension when I noticed the converter was locking and unlocking... the truck had a slight buck to it. So we pulled over at the next rest stop and I checked the fluid... crap! I get out of the truck and the first smell that hits my nose is the famous burnt ATF! Yeah the fluid in it looks horrible and stink... At this point I figure its still running so I'l just drive it. The SES came on just as we got to 35.

We continued on our way up to exit 35 and over to the place we were staying. This morning we left and the truck seemed to be running fine. But the SES was still on. it ran good till about 100 miles from home when it just lost OD and dropped into 3rd. It wouldnt shift back up. I drove like this for 20 mmiles or so and then decided to reset the PCM. I stepped on it and got her up to about 70 and flipped it into N, and shut it off. Started it back up and dropped it in gear and to my amazement it went into 4th. Stayed there for a few miles and started that bucking thing again and dropped back to 3rd soon after.


Just what I need... a truck that isnt even mine that I have to fix too. I'm really hoping its not the tranny. Its a 98 S-10 with 45,500 on the clock and a MASSIVE 2.2L under the hood. 1 year and 9000 miles out of warranty. I'm hopping its something simple, but fearing the worst...

Remember me saying I would be willing to buy my "new truck" used? Well screw that! It will be brand spankin new and have a very loooooong warranty.

 

Update: I'm leaning away from a new trans now. After letting the car sit a few hours I took it over to Liz's house. 4th gear has magicly returned. So I know now that the clutches are working dispite the burnt fluid and smell. I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and go buy the Autotap I have always wanted. That way I can see whats really going on in there. Hopefully theres a sensor or solenoid thats gone bad. If I'm lucky I can just change out the bad solenoid/sensor, then change the fluid and it will survive.

 

The 2.2 isnt known for it's Heavy Duty parts, Re set the PCM, is that how you do it? go 70 put it in N and shut it off? I never know that

Anyhow, dont loose your faith in used trucks, you can still get a sweet warrenty on a used one and save some money.

If I were buying a used truck I would try to get one that was towing equiped with out a hitch (so you know the guy didnt pull with it) or check over the reciver to see if it is scratched up.

 

Geez Brian, you just have some really crappy luck these days.

I hope it's something simple - for your sake.

 

Dang Brian, sounds like your having my luck. Same thing happened to my Astro. I changed the trans fluid and filter and the thing ran until 70k then died or good. A number of places offer a complete fluid flush and change for about $100. I intend to have this done to the Trailblazer this summer.

 

Fluid change and a cooler.
Jiffy lube charges $69 for tranny fluid change and summit has cheap @ss cooler's for $40
That should hold you for a while, but the tranny's internals are cooked

 

I have had this black cloud over me for the past year... and I just cant seem to get rid of it. If it warms up a bit in the near future I'll change it myself, if not I have a friend who works ar Quaker State Quick Lube in Cinnaminson. I worked with him years ago in highschool in a body shop that his brother owned. Now hes the manager at QS. Not sure their rates but im sure it wont be all that much... I'm figuring around $50-$60. As for a cooler.. I think I have an old one in my parents garage. Thats going on there once this thing is fixed.

As for now I'm not taking the truck anywhere, just an occasional trip to moms house(4 miles). I'm finally breaking down and gonna buy Autotap... I'll find out whats going on with it soon.

The fluid is burnt, and I realize the clutches are probably in bad shape also, but if it aint broke I aint fixin it ya know.

On a good note, I spoke to my mom yesterday and since its technically not my car... I'm just maintaining it and keeping up on the insurance till my brother gets home, mom said if it needs a new tranny she will pay for it. Since she would have been paying for it when it blew up on John, she feels its not my responsibility to pay for a major repair. Thats a huge help for me. The only things I have to keep up on are the oil and brakes and stuff like that.

I have no way of knowing if my brother ever changed the fluid before, my guess now is that he didnt and its the original fluid in it. Hopefully its nothing major... just a simple fix and a flush of the fluid... I have my fingers crossed.

 

If it needs a trans, and you can pull it out yourself, i can have it built for you in Maple Shade. Just let me know.