Transmission Issue

[joej25t]

I have a 1990 L 4EAT. While changing lanes on the freeway my car suddenly downshifted and over revved. The RPMs jumped up to 6,000 or so (the highest they had ever been). Shortly after this happened I noticed that whenever I accelerated that my RPM's would rise but my speed would not increase.

All was fine when I pulled off of the freeway but now the car won't start. The starter sounds like its just spinning and not engaging the fly wheel.

So I could really use your guys' help.

Will I have to get a new transmission or could it just be the starter?

Thanks,

-Joe

[Legacy777]

Did you hear any noise when you revved the engine? Kind of sounds like a busted flex plate. Look in the access hole on the back of the engine bell housing with a flashlight and see if you can determine if the flex plate is busted. You can try turning over the engine by hand with a wrench, and see if the torqe converter spins at all.

Here's some pics of the access hole.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... P_2486.JPG
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... P_2487.JPG
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... P_2488.JPG

[joej25t]

Thanks for the quick reply. I checked in the acess hole but I couldn't really tell if anything was damaged. I know thay you mentioned that you can turn over the enginge by hand with a wrench. How and where would I do this? Thanks again.

-Joe

[SubyFusion]

There Is a bolt in the middle of the crank shaft pulley, its the biggest one. Use that to turn the engine over.

[joej25t]

This might seem like a stupid question but, is there a specfic direction that I should turn it? Should I turn it clockwise? Counter clockwise?

-Joe

[mike-tracy]

The crank turns clockwise when running, so you should do the same. Not a dumb question.

[wtdash]

The crank turns clockwise when running, so you should do the same. Not a dumb question.

Mike, is this one? Clockwise from what perspective? Front of car or driver's seat?

(yeah, I should know, but...)


I'm with Legacy777 on this one, too. Busted Flex Plate. There are 4 bolts that attach it to the Torque Converter. As you spin it check for them.

Here's a POST on the USMB that shows the bolts busted off and what the flex plate looks like bolted to the engine (last page).

[mike-tracy]

Mike, is this one? Clockwise from what perspective? Front of car or driver's seat?
(yeah, I should know, but...)

From when you are standing in front of the car, looking in the engine bay.