automatic trans on a 89 240 goes about 150ft then quits. car runs but wont go

[crxcess]

I bought a car off ebay and im trying to diagnose it befoe i go to pick it up. The laday says that when she puts it in drive, it goes about 100-200 ft then wont drive any more. the motor does not stall, it just stops moving. she also says that the speedo goes crazy. I was thinking that it might be a torque converter problem but when she mentioned the speedo it kinds threw me off. Maybe an ecu problem?

Any info is welcome!

Thanks,

[s13sr20chris]

if it stops going altogether then it prob needs a transmission.

[crxcess]

I was looking for a quick fix so that I could smog the car. Once that is done eng/trans is coming out anyway. is it possible that the tcm just quit working? or is it more likley to be a mechanical problem? I have a spare tcm so im going to try that first.... she also said that at times she could turn the car off and back on again and it would work.
Modified by crxcess at 11:28 AM 9/3/2004

[Altiman94]

mechanical problem more htan likely

[s13sr20chris]

yeah, even with a burnt tcm you still have mech failsafe mode. failsafe gives you hydraulic control over 3rd gear and reverse. if you dont even have them, you have a burnt trans.

[crxcess]

But wouldnt I have to unplug it for it to go into limp mode? Maybe if its just faulty... oh well, im just going to have to see it in person. Your probably right, I just need to replace the transmission.

[s13sr20chris]

yes you would have to unplug it OR something would have to malfunction majorly. things like a blown fuse or car not moving when in drive.

[OneCoolNaV]

same prob w/ my 93 hb but w/ a whinning sound. When I turn the car back on, it would run fine again for about a mile or so. I replaced the filter and flushed the transmission and it worked like a champ for about 3 wks.