'92 RS 3.1 torque converter lock-up

[Joshvon1]

Apologize for the long post.

Mom has had this car since the early '90s. It's been well treated, garaged, and has less than 75k miles. It's really her pride and joy, so much so that it even has a name.

Getting rid of it isn't an option. It's a nice little car and I've taken it on as kind of a project.

Tune-up, new tires, replaced the window in the soft-top. It's actually kind of a fun ride now.

The one outstanding problem... The torque converter will stick on occasionally. Let it sit for a while, start it up again and everything is fine, but it can be a huge pain when it happens in rush hour traffic! I've disconnected the sensor and that works, but here's the questions -

1) Other than slightly worse MPG is any damage being done to the car?
2) Would it be safe to take on the highway? (for say a 120 mile round trip?)
3) Looks like the sensor is only $30 from NAPA, but how much would it cost to have someone tear down and install? (I can do minor things like an oil change but dont think I want to attempt disassembling a transmission)
4) What's the best advice to proceed?

Thanks for any help or opinions!

 

[zora]

The best advice is to discuss the problem with a local shop that does transmission work to confirm your diagnosis and to give you an estimate.

 

[Chuzz]

Have you tried cleaning the sensor and plug and maybe doing a fluid and filter change? I'd do the fluid and filter change first, if it were mine.

 

[jkw017]

Hi fix your car yet? I had the same problem on my 94 rs and lucky for me my mechanic worked for gm many years ago for quite a while. He was able to change the lock-up by going through the side where the tranny stuff is without any problem, didnt have to remove the engine or drop anything just took off the side stuff and it was right there in the engine area, couple hundred. Good luck-mine went at about 100000 and it was about a year ago. Was my moms car and when I got it it had 40000 on it so low milage is good but things still dry out. Joe