Hello everyone. I just bought a red '84 Fiero, with a tan interior and an automatic trans. The man I bought it from told me it drives only in first and second gears, and only if I move the shifter into those gears. I drove it home that way, and it wasn't too bad. But now I need reverse. Would fresh trans fluid and a new filter suffice, or maybe that plus the fiero store's shift kit? Would that raise the internal pressure high enough to get some reverse action until I can get it worked on? Thank you very much.

Only one thing fixes that. A transmission rebuild.

Your cheapest fix would be another transmission out of a parts Fiero. Check your local pull-a-part. If there's a Fiero club in your area, check with them for help.

That tranny was really popular, you should be able to get one from a junkyard.

Or you could convert over to a manual tranny

Very good call on fluid level. I took that for granted.

Check fluid
Check shifter link. use search.
Check TV link. not likely. use search.

TH125c auto tranny is dime a dozen. Any TH125c car will do... Not just Fiero.
Code on tranny tell you "final" ratio. (Auto Tranny Ratio means more that just final gear. See cave. gear ratio.)
RPO code also tell you If car is in it. (If Fiero... RPO code on label in front on left inner wheel well.)

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 09-30-2009).]

I really appreciate all the quick replies, you guys are so sweet.

not only fluid level, MAY BE plugged filter !

Since you just got the car, I would follow your own advice and change the transmission filter and fluid. Then if the problem persists you know it's not related to either filter or fluid levels. If it works properly, then you can congratulate yourself on your astute diagnosic abilities.

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1988 GT

What's the mileage? My thinking is that a fluid/filter change might be what caused the problem in the first place... I know three different people (I'm one of 'em) with different makes/models with 75k and up who did the change and either lost a gear or never even drove it out of their driveway. If this is the case, you'll have to take the rebuild/call pull-apart option.

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1987 SE 2m4 Iron Duke Notch-back... It's the only way to fly!

[This message has been edited by GodsWorshipMe (edited 10-03-2009).]

If a transmission doesn't work after a fluid/filter change, and it did before, something was done seriously wrong.

The mileage is showing 11,000, so it's either 111,000, 211,000 or 311,000. Based on the oil caked all over the engine,but that it seems neither has ever been removed, I'll guess 211, which my old pop agrees with. Pop loaned me his drain pan, and I dropped the trans pan except for one bolt. The fluid was about black. I'm going to let it drip over night. Pop also loaned me his air compressor, so I can undo where the cooler lines go, (forward and low on the driver's side of the trans) and blow more old fluid out. I haven't checked the magnet yet for any bits of metal, but that's next.

I thought all Fieros had 6-digit odometers, even 84's.

quote Originally posted by jamiesweet: The fluid was about black.

...

This is automatic tranny fluid you're describing?

Not a good sign I'm afraid.

Yes, six digit in my '84, now reading 071233.

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'84 Sport Coupe (third time's a charm?)

Black? Uhg!

A fluid change is worth a shot.

drop the pan and change the filter, just changing fluid wont really help.

Plumcoco must not have read much, I already specified I'm replacing the filter. I'm heading in to town tomorrow to get it.

Montpilier, ID.............. I love that place! I have spent a lot of time down in that area. Lots of great Hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. I lived in Poky on and off for 25 years. Mom and two brothers still live there. As for your shifting issues, If the fluid is really black, it could be as simple as the filter is plugged up and you are not getting enough pressure through the trans. Does the fluid have a "burnt" smell? Could be a clutch pack got fried too! Good luck.

Pat

Yeah, I would think the tranny is not in good condition. Changing the filter and fluid may help, but i really doubt it would last. Maybe you have 1,011,000 miles on it!

Update? BTW, I'm the prez of the local Fiero club, probably the only one near your town, I'm about an hour and a half away if you need any help. Free to join if you're interested.

Really? Thanks! PM me your contact info, and I'll have you go over my car to see if you spot anything that's not as it should be. But back to the topic, I haven't done the filter yet, I haven't had time during daylight hours. I will report my results.

First time I have ever seen Ogre called "sweet"

quote Originally posted by jamiesweet: I really appreciate all the quick replies, you guys are so sweet.

well jamiesweet ? nowhere in your tjhread does it say you were already replacing the filter. try reading your own post

quote Originally posted by plumcoco: well jamiesweet ? nowhere in your tjhread does it say you were already replacing the filter. try reading your own post

This line was in his post..

"Would fresh trans fluid and a new filter suffice,"

Spoon

quote Originally posted by jamiesweet: .... you guys are so sweet.

quote Originally posted by Spoon: This line was in HIS post..

hmmmm .... i'm starting to wonder about a few things around here

From the cheap Garage,,If the fluid has a burnt smell the clutches are burnt,,People do not change the fluid in this transmission ..it is a very reliable TOUGH tranny,,but dirty fluid clogs ports and causes mechanical failure,,
pressure cleaning a T125 fiero transmission will kill it !!

follow orge advise change transmission fluid & filter,,,check for proper level ajust TV cable

once fluid is changed ,,ajust TV cable..look in manual ,,if you do not have a manual,,, I will post proper method,,this is critical,,you may have to have assistance to do first time ..observe TV cable closely !! eyeball for binding...spray some lube up the cable..
also check mechanical linkage at transmission..eyeball for slop..
check transmission cooling lines for leak,or loose connection.. you will see them ,,they run from tranny to front radiator..this is major cause of pressure drop
... if it still does not shift invest $10.00 in a bottle of Lucas transmission fix..auto counter personel will know proper name..

IF it try,s to work ,,change fluid again most T125 fiero transmissions are ruined by dirty fluid..

Dirty fluid clogges the valve body,,,,the filter ,,and the governor
do not remove governor it should be O K,,more likely to cause 1st to 2nd problem

your problem is often caused by dirty fluid ,or T V cable ajustment ,unfortunately this leads to failure

If you did not get a manual at purchase call previous owner and ask for it,,he has no need for it unless he is buying another Fiero
report results here ,,inquiring minds want to know ,,I will be gone ,,but girls get special attention ,,not many of them here

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 10-20-2009).]

Extra thanks for all the great detail, and I'm really glad none of you have treated me as a dummy just because I am a girl. I don't expect this transmission to last more than a few months, but maybe it could get me around a little. I've planned 2 hours this coming Saturday afternoon to finish this transmission job, so I'll report back monday, with a pic of whatever is still in the pan. Thanks again everyone.

quote Originally posted by PaulJK: hmmmm .... i'm starting to wonder about a few things around here

quote Originally posted by jamiesweet: I'm really glad none of you have treated me as a dummy just because I am a girl.

guess that answers that

and don't forget to check out the "Girls with Fieros" thread so you can show off what you got.......and you can post a pic of your car too... ..haha..just mess'n....glad to have you as a fellow forum member and hope the madness doesn't scare you off

[This message has been edited by labbe001 (edited 10-20-2009).]

The car is too rough for a pic, and bikini season is over. The paint is faded, and may not wax out. Besides, I don't want it to stay red. As far as I can tell, there were only ever 7 colors for Fieros: Black, White, Silver, Red, Blue, Gold, and dark Red.

quote Originally posted by jamiesweet: The car is too rough for a pic, and bikini season is over.

eeehhh excuses, excuses..haha

quote Originally posted by jamiesweet: The paint is faded, and may not wax out. Besides, I don't want it to stay red. As far as I can tell, there were only ever 7 colors for Fieros: Black, White, Silver, Red, Blue, Gold, and dark Red.

there were in all 10 total colors used on Fieros.....white, black, red, bright red, red metallic, blue metallic (my fav), gray metallic, bright silver metallic, light gold metallic, and yellow