Q: I own a 1997 Pontiac Montana. After I'd had it for about a year my left rear turn signal went out. We changed it, and it went out again 8 or 12 months later. Twice we fixed it at $60. I've noticed another one in my neighborhood same tan color, trim package, and same tail light out. I've also had troubles with my clock. Is it a problem with many of these, and what is it that causes the problem so we can fix it once and for all? -- E.H., e-mail

A: E.H., I looked to see if there were any service bulletins for either of your Montana’s troubles and found none. The turn signal and clock in your Montana are on separate electrical circuits. Therefore, the problems are not related to each other. If the rear turn signal keeps failing, the socket that the bulb plugs into might be faulty. Make sure that the bulb is a good quality type. It should be a 3156 bulb. Some manufacturers make long-life bulbs and designate this by a “LL” after the bulb’s part number. You may want to try a long-life bulb. Also, make sure that the socket assembly fits snugly into the housing and that water is not entering the turn signal lens/housing. If the socket is not fastened properly into the housing or water is entering, bulb life could be shortened. If water is entering into the housing, the housing will need to be replaced.

Q: I recently had the transmission replaced on my girlfriend’s ’98 Chrysler Sebring LXi 2.5L coupe. Apparently a varmint chewed the speed control wires or sensor and I was told it ruined the transmission. With funds being tight, I located a replacement transmission at a local junkyard and a local transmission shop did the installation. The problem is that the transmission is still not shifting. It works well for about 30 minutes and then the temperature starts to go up near overheating. Because it won’t shift gears, the rpms are around 4,000 when driving at 45 mph. I think it might be the “box” on the transmission. The “box” on the junkyard transmission was damaged and we had to transfer the original “box” from the bad transmission. What do you think is causing this? -- Gabriel, e-mail

A: Gabriel, I find it difficult to believe that damaged speed sensor wires caused the transmission to fail. It’s more likely that the faulty wiring caused the transmission control module (TCM) to fail. I believe you mean the TCM when you say the “box” on the side of the transmission. The TCM controls the shifting of the transmission. But before you replace the TCM, take the Sebring to a repair facility that has the factory scan tool and ask them to perform a “Quick Learn” procedure on the TCM. The “Quick Learn” procedure adapts the TCM to the transmission. Since your current TCM and transmission are not a matched set, the “Quick Learn” procedure may solve the shifting troubles. If not, have a repair shop that specializes in electronically-shifted transmissions troubleshoot the problem.

AutoAdviser: Ira Siegel is an Automotive Instructor and ASE Certified Master Auto Technician. If you have auto-related questions for Ira Siegel you can call and leave your questions at the Auto Adviser Hotline at 708-633-6839 or e-mail a question to Autoadvisr@aol.com.