I just bought a 1997 Cadillac Catera about one week ago from an auto auction. The car looks great and runs pretty good too except sometimes it loses power and won’t really accelerate. The rpm’s go up but the car just sluggishly moves along. The check transmission light comes on as well. It will continue to do this until I turn the car off then restart it. Once I do this the light goes off and it drives great. I have had the car a week and it has happened twice. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.
You definitely have a transmission problem, being the transmission is a very complex system, you need to take it to a dealer or a reputable transmission shop so that they can run a diagnostic check to detect the problem. That would be the best thing to do. it could be one of many things going on for you to have the problems you are having. I could not even begin to tell you where or what to look for without having the car myself.
I would start with the tranny screen. You would have to remove the pan. It comes as a kit. You get a gasket and filter (screen). Count how many bolts are holding the pan on because you will need this info when you go get the part. I had the same problem. What is happening is the fluid is not circulating properly. My car was actually overheating because it was so bad it had a hard time shifting. That would be the cheapest and simplest way to find out if its going bad without the expense of the dealer.
It sounds like the transmission, especially if the indicator for transmission is coming on. I know that when the check engine light comes on, there isn't always a problem. My transmission is going bad too and I'm having similar issues. Does it jerk when it changes gears? Have you checked your supply of transmission fluid? Sometimes is as simple as that. I'd have it checked out just in case.
