I'm an utter noob, use baby talk. I like my RX-7 so much I have decided to learn. I have this strange problem with my transmission, though. I don't even know if I'm posting this in the right place. If I'm not, redirect me. But ANYWAY.
Got this car from this guy, the lower gear was having trouble locking. No fluid. I filled it. The transmission did fine for a week, then I lost reverse and a few upper gears. Overdrive still does fine. Trans. fluid was a little low, so I filled it again, it was doing fine (except for the missing gears). Now, first gear is having trouble again. I checked the fluid, but now it seems that there's maybe a quart and a quarter too much. I don't understand. I checked it a few days after I put fluid in the second time and it was fine. Help?

 

Specific gears that are giving trouble or not engaging would be needed. They are paired up in the tranny on different shifting shafts. 5th and reverse are sort of 'outside' the rest of the gear stack. How does the shifter feel? is it slopping around or can you feel it go into position for each gear? Or does it feel like there is resistance that keeps it from going all the way into position?

 

Up until yesterday, it felt fine. Everything was running smoothly with the exception of the gears that just aren't working. More specifically, if I put it into reverse, the car feels like it's getting ready to back up, but when I give it gas it doesn't feel like it's even trying to catch. When I put it in drive (did I mention it's an automatic? blech.) it feels perfectly healthy until I reach 40 mph or so, where it just fails to upshift. This is fine, though, because all my gears work in overdrive and I will drop a manual in once I've done something more complicated than changing the alternator.

Since yesterday, when I put it in drive, I have to rev it before first catches. I'll slowly give it gas, and from 0rpms to 1.5k it inches forward a little, then from 1.5 to 2 it shudders, then catches, and it's fine. This is the same problem I had when I bought it, and a little T fluid fixed it. I'm hesitant to put more in, though, because my dipstick says I'm way past full already.

By the way, nice custom user title. I thought I was being clever. Damn.

 

OK, totally different beast. Make sure you are checking the fluid properly it still sounds like it may be low on fluid. it should be checked in neutral, hot, and its best to cycle the shifter through all the gears before you stop in neutral(block the wheels)

Other than checking fluid level I get lost quickly on automatics. To me they run on FM, f#cking magic!

 

Heh. I know what you mean. I've been driving a manual for a year. I feel like my soul is slowly dieing. Anyway, thanks for the help. I appriciate it. I think I'm not supposed to count fluid that's only on half the stick when taking a reading, right? I hope that's right, cause I'm about to put more fluid in. Wish me luck.