Thread: Downshift Skips 3rd, Can't Flat-Foot Out of 2nd

Shot in the dark here. I've had an '04 GT1 for a few months, and she's tired (175K), but running OK. My biggest gripe is on the highway, flat or mild upward grade, and I want to build a liiiiittle speed, so I squeeeeze the gas pedal and then BAM, 5000 RPM in 2nd gear. Super annoying; my '02 Impala (3400, not 3800) didn't do that. Same behavior with cruise control trying to hold a grade.

Goofing off, I decided to see how far 2nd would go, so I went pedal to the 'wall, and I chickened out at an indicated 6500 RPM, somewhere around 95 MPH. As soon as I let off, it went into 4th like nothing bad just happened. At this age, she really doesn't need to spend as much time over 4000 RPM as she does.

I don't have any telemetry, just the gauges and my GPS apps. What the heck is going on here? Or is something not going on that's supposed to be?

Sounds to me like 3rd won't hold any power. Nothing you can do in that situation but rebuild it.

Ugh. That is what it sounds like, but are there any quick checks I can do in my driveway with a voltmeter before I take it to a transmission shop?