I am new to the forum and firstI would like to thank all who have this site up and running for folks like me in need of goodold fashioned honest help!


WhatI have is a 2001 Saturn SC1 1.9 SOHC with a automatic transaxle with 93,000 miles. I purchased this car brand new andhave maintained it to a "T" since the day we brought her home.(Oil Changes every 3-4,000, TransAxle Fluid and filter ever 15-20,000, brakes, Struts, Belt Ect....you get the idea)I try do all my own work, because of some bad shop experiences.It's been a wonderful car andI hope it to be that way for many more miles!


My wife took it on a weekend round trip about 500 miles. On her return home she met me at work we left for home. About 25 miles from home the Transaxle started to "SLAM" into every gear as we left a stop light, and whenI say "Slammed"I mean the car literally jerked as we hit every gear enough to give us a good jolt!Now it did this not only taking off but as it down shifted as we slowed down to the next light. I immediately pulled over and checked the fluid. It was fine. Not know what else to do or being a Triple A member, we decided to try and get the car home.Now I will say that once we got back out on the highway(55-65mph) it seemed to cruise just fine to get us home. Also I will note that the transaxle never "SLIPPED" or miss a gearbut just shifted VERY VERY hard! I parked it yesterday soI could research it today.


As for todayI searched my chilton manual and called a few places around Austin.All the shops want me to bring it to run a diagnostic to determine the problem whichI understandis the right thing to do,but I fear the 30 mile or so drive to the nearist shop might cause more damageand the $175.00 towing fee sinceI live out of the city limits and all the FREETOWING ADSdon't apply to me. The best guessI have after reading my manual is it could hopefully be the Vehicle Speed Sendor(VSS) or even someone else said maybe the Throttle Position Sensor(TPS). WhenI got home today(I drove another car to work)I decided to take the saturn for a quick ride down the street. WhatI did notice today is the it seem to take a second to shift into reverse but "NO SLAM".Then as for the quick mile or so ride the car shifted ontime just as smooth as always. I parked it feeling a little better but still knowing something can't be rightI am here spilling myself to the great people of this forum for anyhelpI can find or any diagnosis both good and bad! I ama pretty good mechanic when it come to my older trucks, but front wheel drive and all the new computers and sensors are a whole other ball game that haven'tplayed yet.


If there is anyone out ther who can help me or share some knowledge I am always happy to learn and would be very thankful for any helpI can get!I am Looking forward to any reponses! Thank you!


Justin C.[img]smileys/smiley1.gif[/img]

 

I can't say for sure what your trans problem is but I can tell you that
abrupt shifting in your auto trans is not going to hurt it at all. Car
companies spend a lot of money engineering a soft shift into their
transmissions because that's what the consumer wants but the truth is
that it's the worst thing for the clutches. Any time the clutches slip
they wear and generate heat. Heat is no good for your trans.

I had a similar thing happen to my 99 Chevy Venture and just like your
Saturn, I shut it off for a few minutes and it shifted fine afterward.
I haven't had the problem since and it was 6 or 8 months ago.

 

transmission brain is shot, take it to a transmission shop