Have a 91 4cy and have noticed burnt smell of tranny fluid lately. Today I have very little reverse gear but all forward are fine. Auto transmission. Time to start shopping for a replacement?

 

Is the trans losing fluid. A burned smell is not good.

What is the condition of the fluid, if black this is not good. Is the fluid level correct?

You can change the fluid completely, if this does not fix the issue the problem is most likely inside the trans requiring removal. Might be a good idea to start looking for another trans.

 

Thanks for your response. The fluid was a little brown. Not black but not real red either. Car has 181K. Brought fluid level up a bit yesterday. When cold reverse is o.k. After it heats up not very good. May try a fluid and filter change but I think shopping for a rebuilt may be in order.

 

I was checkin on ebay and direct from japan was a few with between 60-80k on them. Not amazing, but 1/2 the road life of our vehicles dont sound too bad. Im also havin issues and thinkin of replacing, if not getting a new vehicle entirely. The motor on these will never die, but everything around it will fall apart until that 400k mark [&:]