86 GM won't go over 35 mph?

[jmy2469]

Driving home earlier today, my 86 grand Marquis would not do more than 35mph. I pull over to the side of the road, put the car in park,then back in drive, everything seemed ok. Make it almost home, car won't go over 35 again. Thinking something to do with transmission. Everything was fine until I was just about home. Any ideas what this might be?

[marquisman]

does it sound like the engine is running at very high RPM when your at that 35mph? if so, its trans related. 2 things, either you lost your gears or the TV cable is hung up at WOT. if the TV cable is hung up at WOT, the trans wont shift out from first. need to know about engine speed first

[jmy2469]

That is what it sounds like,high rpm. Notice a little smoke also when I parked in front of my house,which makes me think something let loose.
I am going to go out in a few and check it out. Car had been running fine,no issues at all. If I did lose gears,does this mean new trans? Any idea how much that would run? Thanks for the help.

[marquisman]

if you lost gears, yes, you will need a new trans. i dont know what the trans market is like in the states but, here you can get your trans rebuilt for around 1800. thats with removal and install. if your lucky(like i was once) you can get a good trans from the wreckers for a couple hundred bucks. then get someone to install it for another couple hundred bucks. maybe someone on here has a good used trans. i would check the TV cable opperation first. it will usally hang up if you hardly put your put into the accelerater, then one time, you decide to floor it, the TV cable sticks. iv been there before lol

[jmy2469]

If it was the TV cable,would that cause smoke? I am moving to Florida at the end of next month,just need the car to last me until then, I am not taking it with me.

[marquisman]

its very possible that the smoke is commin from the engine. prolly from the rocker covers. if you were running at high RPM, the oil pressure would be high, and oil very hot, causing it to seep past the rocker cover gaskets and burn on the hot exhaust manifolds. if the smoke was comming from the trans, there would be some fluid on the ground.

[jmy2469]

Ok, thanks for the info

[87gtVIC]

I second your cable hanging up. Happened to my car (pushing the go pedal but only the rpms would go anywhere) when it used to sit waiting for me to become a legal driver. My dad lubed it up ensuring proper travel and all was fine after that.

[jmy2469]

Knew I'd get some quick replies here! Thanks again

[gadget73]

Have you checked the trans fluid level? If its real low, the trans doesn't work. Engine needs to be running and warmed up to check the fluid level.

[jmy2469]

Let me ask you this, if the fluid is low, which fluid should I buy to put in? I have not checked it in awhile.

[86VickyLX]

Dexron Mercon will be just fine for filling that up. If you were doing a complete trans service, you could convert it to Mercon V, since that's what Ford reccommends in the AOD now.

[jmy2469]

Thanks 86VickyLX. Like I said,I only need the car to get me through to the end of next month,then I am moving to Florida. Hope it is just a fluid issue and not something major. Car has been running great,there were no signs of slipping or anything,until this afternoon. Little busy right now,going to go out there in a few and check things out.

[86VickyLX]

Why the hell are all the Jersey people an hour away from me!? I was gonna suggest a meet up, so I could take a look at it, since '86s are my favorite, and don't have that stupid TV bushing that likes to break.

[jmy2469]

That would have been great,don't want to drive it too much and screw it up even more. Going to check fluid and see whats going on with that, then if things are still screwed up,going to call the guy who I got the car from. He has a bunch of these,see if he would check it out for me.