when I first start the engine and put it in reverse, car shutters. Does so also when the car is stopped until the engine warms up, mostly 10 minutes. Car runs great and getting good gas mileage. Purchased a transmission dip stick but not sure how far it should go down. Not sure how to determine when it has reached the bottom.

Do the shutters open and close rapidly, or slowly?

Given all we have is 1998 , I'm guessing it is a 5 speed 722.6 . Do you also get a vibration when in 4 to and 5 th gear with light throttle going about 35 MPH? The torque converter clutch starts to drag on these trans causing the vibration and shudder in gear.

There could be other issues though.

it is a E320 - 6cyl auto. We did just have the cat-converters both changed.

the shutters only happen when it is put in reverse. In forward it happens when the car is sitting still light at lights but is gone when the car is warmed up

any idea how far the dip stick for the transmission should go down to reach the bottom?

The torque converter clutch is dragging, classic symptoms. You will feel the dipstick bottom out when you push it in. The tip hits the bottom of pan rather than a top cap on the tube.

a little more info if I can, how do I recognize what to unplug, readily accessible if the car is jacked up? Is it safe to leave it unplugged or to leave it as is? Is the car being harmed by this? Can this be fixed by a home mechanic or better left to a shop?

Can't unplug anything to bypass the problem. The torque converter drags when not applied.

In severe cases it leads to a stall when a gear is selected. Only fix is to replace torque converter.

Somewhere there was a multi page explanation to this problem by the trans parts company Sonnax .

thank you very much

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