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How many gears does a '99 6th gen have? I swear I saw, and have felt a 5th gear shift and a corresponding drop in rpm at around 50mph in the short 6 months since owning. Now I feel just 4. All shift great however. Tach is running a little over 3k at 70mph. What is everyone else running?
Additionally, is it possible to put a later model trans in an older model? It's not likely I believe, but I'm wondering on the possibility of a trans swap since I don't know much about the vehicle's prior history.

 
Rep Power: 193

Its gonna have 4 physical gears. The extra "shift" you're feeling is the torque converter locking. 3k at 70 is about right.

 
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So will the tq convertor cause a drop in rpm? Anyone know about the trans swapping compatability?

 
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What keeps the converter from locking then? RPMs are definitely higher than they used to be. Did a fluid drain and fill couple of months back.

 
Rep Power: 193

It would cause a drop in RPM. Leaving it in D3 would keep it from locking, but as for a mechanical problem im not sure.

 
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Appreciate the feedback. I've been searching the forums and net and what I'm finding is more trans convertor problems that end up with very erratic and rough up and downshifts, which is not what I have. Closer scrutiny, since it's my wife's car, is it runs about 3200rpm at 70 and climbs from there. I've read the locking is supposed to occur at 51mph which is exactly where I used to feel that drop. The search continues...

 
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So I had heard that the solenoids on top on the trans could have their filters underneath get clogged and cause the convertor from locking. I was sure this would be it considering all the mess that had accumulated around that area near the solenoids. Took them off today and unfortunately they were clean as a whistle underneath. Any way to test them for working order?
Is there any mechanical detriment to the transmission if it doesn't lock outside the obvious higher rpm and workload? At level ground it's 3500rpm at 75 mph. Kind of high for my taste as I'm used to 4 more cylinders.

 
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Have to do a finish post. Turns out the torq convtr was toasted. So any with the same symptoms as mine did, optimism is good, but it will not be what you hope for. On the positive, it's nice to have a trustworthy car again and look to have an otherwise nice running car extend well in the 200k mileage range.