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96 850 transmission failing - will it last 1000 miles? 850 1996

posted by  dudlo on  Mon Mar 1 14:47 CST 2004
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last visit: Tue Jul 14 01:20 CST 2009
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It looks like the transmission on my 96 850 wagon failed after 130,000 miles. After a two-day, 900 mile drive from Dallas, TX to Breckenridge, CO, the transmission started acting up on the last 10 miles. Here are the symptoms (they are the same with car cold or hot):
- when sitting at a traffic light, the car kind of yanks 2-3 times per minute (as in clutch kicking in and out)
- when speeding up (gently), the RPMs jump from 2000 to 2200 to 2500 to 2800 before it upshifts (not surea bout exact numbers) - it used to go gradually up
- when cruising at about 45mph (2000 rpm), the engine races up and down about 200rpm
- it shifts up and down through all speeds; the symptoms are the same with or without overdrive.
- there is enough fluid; it smells and feels OK. Maybe a little bit burned but nowhere near the black mess I've seen with other transmissions.
- I changed the fluid about a month ago.

I checked other posts and it does not sound like a PNP switch. I do not have flashing arrow nor the econo/sport mode light flashes. I cannot read the codes being up in the mountains with no tools. I know/feel the transmission is hosed. I do not believe the recent fluid change caused it (please let's not start another thread on it). I did turn off the overdrive climbing up and down the mountains (I take this trip almost yearly).

However, my dilemma is what to do now. I am about a 1000 miles from home and I see my options as:
A. pay $$$ to get the car towed to Denver, CO; have transmission repaired/rebuilt; get home somehow and return for the car some two weeks later
B. drive/limp to Denver (it is about 100 miles over pretty steep climb up and down on I-70). Then do the same as in A.
C. drive all the way home. Hope the transmission lasts the whole trip.

I am hoping for option C but if there is a high chance that I get stranded with fried transmission and immobile car, I can get talked out of it. I have three days to decide.

What would you recommend? How gradual is the transmission decline? I have never had auto transmission failed so I do not know if it will last 10 or 1000 miles. If I decide to risk it, how should I drive (using overdrive or not; take frequent stops...)?

Thank you for your advice,
Peter






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