transmission? Something else? HELP!

[240femme]

I have a 94 240sx convertible automatic with 143,500 miles. I've had problems shifting from first to second, but it seems to correct itself and only happens occasionally. Otherwise, everything seemed to be in good order. Today, I noticed that while the car had been driving fine seconds before, all of a sudden, it wouldn't shift. I thought it was the usual problem, but it wasn't. When the light turned green at the intersection, the car wouldn't move - i actually started rolling backwards! It was in drive but wouldn't go anywhere. I turned it off and restarted it, (sometimes that works for various problems, oddly enough) and it moved enough for me to get to the closest parking lot. Very quickly, I was stuck again. No creeping forward in drive or backwards in reverse. I was perplexed. I started and stopped it enough time to get home. I don't quite understand how turning the car off and on would make a difference, even for a short amount of time, but it worked. I checked the fluid level and it seems to be fine - the color is ok too. I would say it's the transmission, but i thought there'd only be trouble with a certain gear and not all of them. Please, someone, help me figure this out! Please tell me it's something small and inexpensive to repair.

[p00t]

possibly your torque converter? usually when those go out you just slightly get power (barely accelerate). Did you hear any thuds or clanky sounds before/after it happened?

only other possibility I can see is a worn clutch pack in the transmission, which means the whole thing would have to be taken apart, very expensive to fix.

My suggestion is to have it diagnosed, and see what the rates are to fix it. If you cant find any place with decent rates look in junkyards for the part (lowest mileage possible also). Junkyard parts are always pretty cheap but you dont know the prior condition. Usually torque converters arent too expensive to fix since they can be seperated from a transmission. other problems require the whole thing to be taken apart and not all shops can do work on them (very complex).

Good luck

[240femme]

yep, the transmission was shot. It cost just over $1200 to fix it and it'll probably never be the same. At least it runs, though. Now if only I could figure out what's causing all those other creaks and squeeks.

240 gramps, St. Charles is right outside St. Louis, MO.

[Altiman94]

actually, when I had my transmission rebuilt in my altima, it shifted much quicker and felt alot stronger than it did before

[240femme]

yup, yup. I know all about my bushings and most of the rest of the car too...I could use new bushings and probably new belts, too. Also, my heat shield rattles like an SOB and is only held on with a wire hanger :-) Car runs alright though, considering the amount of abuse I give it.