Need Advice From ANYONE Familiar With Automobile Issues

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Before I decide to sell my beloved truck, I'd appreciate some advice.

Here's the situation: Yesterday the truck suddenly won't move while it's in drive. My brother dropped by, checked the transmission fluid level and told me it was fine. But to my surprise, he took it for a test drive...when he returned, he said it would work while it was in second or third gear only.

So here's my question: should I just sell it while it's moving or take a chance, top off the transmission fluid, and hope for the best? I'm still a bit nervous after being caught in traffic with a truck that wouldn't move forward (in drive) but if there's a chance it'll run for another month or two, that would be brilliant. (It's a '97 Chevy Suburban)

If you have any advice, please share. Thanks! 🙂

 

[nightshade]

When I had my old car, it wouldn't go into 1st gear but would drive in 2nd, however it was a manual. So got a new clutch I think it was, or maybe gearbox, one of the two!

 

[NotASlayer]

I agree, that does sound like a gearbox or a clutch issue. At least I think that would be the problem in a manual. Do automatics have clutches?

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Automatics have clutches but they're down inside the engine. I just got back from buying transmission fluid, and I'm about see what happens after I add it. #TheGreatExperiment

 

[November]

Good luck! I have no advice, but I hope it works out for you, whatever you do.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

The two quarts of transmission fluid I put in didn't help. But it DID inspire me to get on the bus. And frankly, riding the bus is a lot less stressful than wondering if my truck is going to stall every ten minutes. It drives in second gear, but not very well.

Everything I've read online has said I shouldn't drive around with a slipping transmission. Why? Because it's dangerous. Though I'm still tempted to try it in second gear today...we'll see. 🌚

 

[Kendar]

The problem with a slipping transmission is that if you are just driving in other gears then you are increasing wear and tear on them. And sudden failure is certainly an option, so you have to be a lot more cautious about when you make a turn when there is traffic.

Given that it is a 97 I suspect replacing the transmission isn't an option (not a cost effective one anyway) unless you know someone who will put in a used one very cheap.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

The problem with a slipping transmission is that if you are just driving in other gears then you are increasing wear and tear on them. And sudden failure is certainly an option, so you have to be a lot more cautious about when you make a turn when there is traffic.

Given that it is a 97 I suspect replacing the transmission isn't an option (not a cost effective one anyway) unless you know someone who will put in a used one very cheap.

That's my major concern. Driving has been a crap shoot for the last year or so. And a half ton Chevy stalling in heavy traffic is my literal nightmare. It's happened once or twice and it was beyond terrible. Here in Los Angeles, nobody is going to help you in that situation, except for AAA, the fire department, or the police.


A rebuilt transmission was installed two years ago, so I'm probably just going to sell it while it's still moving. But I MIGHT try to drive it today. If it stalls, c'est la vie.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Take it to a mechanic. They’ll tell you if it’s worth fixing, or if you should just sell it.

I will say that it’s likely it will be cheaper to fix it - even if it’s putting in a new tranny - than to buy a new used car. Because the used car market is so ridiculous now.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

B it to a mechanic. They’ll tell you if it’s worth fixing, or if you should just sell it.

I will say that it’s likely it will be cheaper to fix it - even if it’s putting in a new tranny - than to buy a new used car. Because the used car market is so ridiculous now.

The repair shop my family uses already put in a rebuilt transmission about 2 years ago. In fact, since 2020 they've spent approximately $8000 on the truck. The owner/mechanic recently told me that it needs a new engine. Ha! No way. (I guess the guy figures since my parents are wealthy, they'd pay it)

For now I'm just making sure there's plenty of transmission fluid in there, and SO FAR everything is fine. I will NEVER sell it...it belonged to my brother (who died in 2019) and whenever I drive it, I remember him telling me NOT to smoke when I drove it. But of course I did. 😅

 

[Plasma]

The owner/mechanic recently told me that it needs a new engine. Ha! No way. (I guess the guy figures since my parents are wealthy, they'd pay it)

Sounds about right.

Obviously not every mechanic is scuzzy or shady, but they have a pretty consistent track record profession-wide of trying to upsell. Unless you’re pretty direct about what you want and what the problem is, they’re liable to come back with a laundry list of new parts or services your vehicle “absolutely needs”.

I think at the end of the day, as long as you are comfortable and confident in the state of the vehicle and your capacity to operate it, then it isn’t an urgent matter. It’s just a character flaw. Just recognize that if the transmission issue stays around, could be used against you by insurance companies in the event of an accident.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Just recognize that if the transmission issue stays around, could be used against you by insurance companies in the event of an accident.

I don't have insurance. 😇

 

[Last Watcher]

Just a random thought. Does it allow you to start the engine when in 'Drive' (1st).
The reason I say this is I used to have an old Auto Peugeot & that suddenly stopped working when put into 'Drive' but would then work if 2nd was selected.
The problem turned out to be a sensor or something that told the box that 'Drive' had been selected. I only found out when I managed to start the engine while 'Drive' was selected (Most Auto boxes won't let you do that) as it thought it was still in 'Park'.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Just a random thought. Does it allow you to start the engine when in 'Drive' (1st).
The reason I say this is I used to have an old Auto Peugeot & that suddenly stopped working when put into 'Drive' but would then work if 2nd was selected.
The problem turned out to be a sensor or something that told the box that 'Drive' had been selected. I only found out when I managed to start the engine while 'Drive' was selected (Most Auto boxes won't let you do that) as it thought it was still in 'Park'.

'Drive' is a different gear on many American made vehicles. (Gear display for automatic transmissions usually show P, R, N, D, 1, 2 and 3) And no freaking way would I even try starting it in 'Drive.' It might blow up or something. My truck (like it's owner) is VERY moody! 😄

But for now, it appears that the main problem was low transmission fluid.


@Plasma No insurance, no registration that's how I roll, babe. 😋