Just bought my first Saturn and I love it. It is a hooptie though! The biggest problem I see is with the tranny. Randomly, the transmission has issues shifting out of 3rd gear even on the highway. It stays in 3rd until you accelerate, hard! It won't shift until it hits about 3200 RPM's. I think its an electrical problem because like I said it happens only on occasion. Otherwise it runs perfect. Anyone have any experience or suggestions for me? I'd really appreciate it.

 

Welcome to the forum. I'd suggest you go to a GM dealership that's Saturn friendly and order a new ECTS and pig tail. These damn things cause more problems than you can think of on the S series cars. Don't get one from autozone, advance, o'reillys or whatever parts store is close to you. You need a genuine AC/Delco part with a BRASS tip on it. The aftermarket crap is rosin tipped and not correctly calibrated. After you do that, if you're still having problems, you might try changing the trans fluid and filter.

 

How many miles on it?

Please create a signature of the same format as mine and Rube's. Thanks.

 

I am still driving the 1994 SC-2 that we have owned since 1996 although at this point in time it is not used very much so it sits a lot. The only time the transmission has acted up is when it has sat for a long period of time and the shift interval was a bit wacky. Letting it warm up and putting some miles on it and it straightened out. The design seems to be pretty good.
Ruby's suggestion is first class and should be followed. If changing out the ECTS with the proper new one and yes it is a very high percent of the problems in a lot of things for the car, a transmission service is in order. Fresh fluid and a filter (which is easy to change on that model) is an excellent thing to do. With the now age of the car it probably needs it anyway. If you are a good back yard mechanic it is not hard to do it your self. About $30.00 or so in fluid and filter. If you need to have it done it is probably about $130 or so.
Good luck. In good shape, these are fine little cars.