_HighVoltage_ Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Hi guys! I have an offer for a 1999 Monte Carlo LS for $1,250. 172,000 miles and the only problem with it (allegedly) is the overdrive not working. Is this a serious problem? How much would it cost to get it fixed? Do you think I should get the car? Oh and also, it's a bit embarrasing but what exaclty is the overdrive? Is it a fifth gear? I've always driven manual cars and up to this point have been completely oblivious of how an automatic works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacmaniac94 Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 *sigh* no "overdrive" means that the 4th gear is trashed. expensive? yes, you will need to put in a new tranny. the automatic W-body's from that year were only 4-speeds, so there is no 5th gear unfortunately. i would say no on the Monte, sure it is cheap, but it has a buttload of miles, usually i try and start selling my vehicles at 172k or so. so, depending on where you would go to the get the tranny replaced at it, it will cost you between 1000 (if you are lucky) and about 1800 or so. good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Ficho Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 With that mileage, if the body/interior is in average shape, I say drive it till' the trans goes completely and send it to the wrecker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 No overdrive does not immediately mean that 4th gear is trashed. It could be a number of issues. It could be something as simple as the Speed sensor that is toast. It could also be a solenoid or an electrical issue. Check the fluid on it. If it is still redish, and it doesn't smell or look to be burnt, then I put my money on there being a sensor, solenoid, or electrical issue with it. Hell, for all its worth, the Neutral safety switch could be out of whack, causing the car to think the shifter is in D, rather then OD, that would keep the car from engaging in over drive. Also, Over drive is simply a gear with a ratio of, as an example, 0.85 : 1, meaning that for every 0.85 revolutions of your engine, the output shaft of the transmission will make 1 revolution. Simply, it will result in better gas mileage at highway speeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_HighVoltage_ Posted September 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 So in the worst case scenario I will be driving a car with a 3-speed gearbox? Hell no! I used to drive a 5 Speed manual. I'll go and check the car out again, I'll try to get a mechanic with me this time to see if he can tell what the problem is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 If you get a mechanic to come with you, insist that he come with a shop scanner. He should have one that will be able to read transmission data. This will show you what is going on inside if the gear is not worn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairdo12 Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 I think you should do yourself a favor and walk away from that car. 172k with tranny problems, you're just looking for trouble, unless you know how to fix things yourself. There are other 99 Montes out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1234 Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 is 4th gear bad? or is the torque converter not locking? does the cruise control work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 as I recall the 4t65 has issues with loosing 4th gear as they age, I forget exactly what it is but some shaft gets stripped out over time and eventually 4th cannot engage anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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