When driving uphill, the RMP increases, but speed stays the same when I hit the gas, why?

Question

My car operates normally Until I go up a slight incline 10 degrees or more. The RPM increases to 4K from 2 for no reason, when I hit the gas pedal the car doesnt increase speed, at all, just RPM. It struggles to get up hill. On level ground the car operates fine.. Its a 93 Thunderbird V-6. Ive owed it for 12 years...no problem until now. Whats the cause and maybe an estimate to fix? Thanks !

Answer 1

Clutch pack slipping in automatic transmission.

Time for a rebuild.

How does the tranny fluid look and smell??? Brown and burnt?

ADDED:
Tuneup???? That's funny.......

Answer 2

I'd look into doing a tune up. It's much easier for a vehicle to travel on level ground and takes a little more fuel to stay at a constant speed uphill. If it has never done this before and you've owned the car 12 years maybe the plugs and wires are worn out. A clogged air filter or fuel filter could also cause this.

Answer 3

Yeah, it sounds a lot like your transmission is slipping. Does it just downshift and rev up when you begin going up, or does the rpm vary up and down? How bad does it smell when you finally get up there? You could try having it flushed and the filter replaced which is relatively cheap compared to the other alternative.

Answer 4

1st check your transmission fluid.if its low then thats the problem.If its a funny colour,it may need to be rebuilt.cost anywhere from 250>2000..2nd if its an auto,hook up a trailer thats loaded max and get every one to pile in and go for a drive on flat ground.if it slips again then its your bands in the auto or it needs rebuilding.....If you have a manual it can only be one thing and thats the clutch itself.And man will you smell it.

Answer 5

you never said if its an auto or stick shift if a stick id say the clutch is slipping if an auto check your trans fluid level if the fluid level is fine it might be time for a rebuild look in the 2k range