I have a 2000 SL2 with 1.9 liter L4 engine and 4 speed automatic transmission. It has 125K miles on it, and I’ve owned it for five years.

The transmission has been a problem ever since I bought it. When I put it in reverse, it won't go into gear unless I rev the engine a little. And it's never shifted quite right. The problem is worse when the engine is warmed up, and during hot weather.

Last year I did the "reverse slam cure" procedure. I changed the transmission filter and fluid, backed the car into a tree, and ran it in reverse for an hour. It seemed to help somewhat.

Well now the weather here in Ohio is hot again. Yesterday while driving home from work, the transmission was stuck in 1st gear. I tried everything to fix it while I was driving, but nothing worked. So I had to drive at 25 MPH @ 4000 RPM all the way home.

What should I do now? I read somewhere that the culprit may be the Line Pressure Control Solenoid. Or perhaps I should just replace the entire valve body with a rebuilt one?

Thanks

 

I had a similar problem with that crappy TAAT4 transmission in mine and changed the valve body. That, along with the fluid and filter change took care of mine doing that. BUT, mine never got as bad as yours, it still changed gears, but slipped between them.

 

Is this what I need?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TAAT-SATURN-...-/281305026563

 

Valve body removed.

 

Yep, that's the bad boy. The hardest part of putting the new one is is that dang little shift rod that has to go through the hole in the linkage. Took me about seven tries before I got it in there. I kept dropping it. Shop around, I found one for $110. Check Amazon too.

 

Thanks Rubehayseed.

I just ordered another valve body. $225. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

I sure hope that cures the problem for you man. Like I said, it worked for me, but there's no guarantee that it'll work for you. I'd recommend another fluid and filter change unless you haven't driven it that much and the fluid still looks and smells okay. You might try some Lucas transmission treatment in it too.

 

Installed it.

Shifts like a new car now!

 

Happy to hear that worked out for you man. Happy motoring.

 

But the engine still burns oil. Have to add a quart about every three weeks. Any ideas?