94 SL2 Automatic shifts hard

[casterman]

have a 94 SL2 automatic with 87,000 miles -- every time it shifts from 1st to 2nd and then from 2nd to 3rd it bangs pretty hard and will chirp the tires if you are in the throttle -- I have a car lot and bought the car at auction so I do not know much history -- it is not terrible but it does get your attention. Anyone have any experience with a fix in a can? Trans Medic or Lucas? or just a waste of time and money?

[1994Saturn]

Most will say don't use Transmission addatives...

I must ask.. how is the trans fluid? Did you change the fluid when you got the car home?

Very easy to do.. Easer then a oil changed. Get a OEM transmission filter from Saturn, and 5 or 6 qts of Mobil 1 Full Syn Trans fluid.... Will probability make a word of difference.

[gignac02]

I had this problem on my 93 saturn a few years ago. Pull up de plug on tranny cover, you will find ten pins, check resistance between thems, each 2 pins are hook to a selenoid valve, resistance sould be 3 to 8 ohms. One of them is probably a lot higher. It is a easy job to replace one of those selenoid valve!

[casterman]

are you referring to an electrical plug on the outside of the tranny? are the pairs of wires easy to determine?

[deadmeat3344]

make sure the switch next to he shifter is in "normal mode"

[1999greenSL2]

Try rolling back in reverse, switching it to drive and going forward immediately. Tell us if it slams when you do that.

[gignac02]

The plug is on the cover on top of transmission, need a 9mm box . the pair are easy to figure-out, first is the 2 pins toward front of car. the others are 2 pair on ech sides . ex: second and third on left front, 4 and 5 on same side. right side is same. easy to figure with an hometer.

[Dr B]

The trans uses data from the T P S,and MAP sensor ,for shift harshness/feel
also if the battery has been replaced ,the perimiters may need time to re-learn
there are several steps in sequence that have to be followed to quickly
return the perimiters to the P C M .
check all the connectors on the trans for corosion ,oil,fluid ect.
just driving normally for a few days could allow the perimiters to re-learn.

[sparkynsmoke]

I have a 95 SL2 automatic and my tranny's been doing the same thing with the hard shifting. My service engine light went on, the car wasn't shifting from 2nd to 3rd and would rev high to allow the car to get up to speed. I just replaced the radiator and the tranny went the next day.
Could this have been the result of the radiator? I have a code reader and it says there's no 2,3,4 gears and there's a loose connection between the spped control switch and the tranny.
I had the orig tranny "replaced" (wasn't told where it came from), or if it was my orig rebuilt, in 2003. I was wondering if maybe the tranny filter could be clogged and because of the radiator prob, the tranny fluid got burned. Please PM me with any responses. Sparky's the only car I have and right now I've been relegated to driving my dad's 81 Ford Club Wagon van (it's a big and bulky gas eater, but it's getting me around). Thanks.

[casterman]

special thanks to all that responded -- here is what I have learned -- sometimes it makes you look foolish if you don't check the obvious before you panic -- YES the switch was in the Performance position instead of the Normal position, as soon as I switched it - the shifting became normal -- and, yes the battery had been out of the car for several days and I had just put a new one in earlier that day and hadn't driven it more than 50 feet before complaining about the harshness of the shifts -- thanks again

[1999greenSL2]

Originally Posted by casterman

special thanks to all that responded -- here is what I have learned -- sometimes it makes you look foolish if you don't check the obvious before you panic -- YES the switch was in the Performance position instead of the Normal position, as soon as I switched it - the shifting became normal -- and, yes the battery had been out of the car for several days and I had just put a new one in earlier that day and hadn't driven it more than 50 feet before complaining about the harshness of the shifts -- thanks again

How much are you selling it for?

[deadmeat3344]

Originally Posted by casterman

special thanks to all that responded -- here is what I have learned -- sometimes it makes you look foolish if you don't check the obvious before you panic -- YES the switch was in the Performance position instead of the Normal position, as soon as I switched it - the shifting became normal -- and, yes the battery had been out of the car for several days and I had just put a new one in earlier that day and hadn't driven it more than 50 feet before complaining about the harshness of the shifts -- thanks again

im god

[casterman]

all hail to deadmeat3344 -- master of obvious advice -- thanks again

got it setting out by the street with $1399 on the windshield -- really takes $1250 to buy it -- dark blue with tan leather (couple small bad places in the leather stitches) -- has light to medium hail damage on hood and roof -- has an internal rattle in the catalytic converter or muffler that I will get fixed -- good tires -- drivers side seat belt track is kaput, may get one at the "pull-a-part"

I also have a 1999 SC2 - red - 5 speed - 127K - sun roof -- nice nice car for $2650

Tulsa Oklahoma -- you can email me at casterman1@sbcglobal.net

[sparkynsmoke]

Can anyone tell me what the "Performance/Normal" switch is on the car? I have zero clue what it is, have asked the dealer and they've told me it's like an overdrive. (Like 5th gear in a stick). My tranny, according to the code reader says no 2,3,4 gear and there's a loose connection to the speed control switch. (?) Any help would be appreciated.

[tommyhawk13]

The performance switch makes your car act like Casterman's.
It lets the revs get higher for more power, and it shifts the gears faster, with less slipping. Even though the car feels like it's going to fall apart, it's actually better for the clutch bands, because there's less slipping. Think of it as a built in shift kit that you can turn on and aff while driving.
It is nothing like overdrive. OD is for lowering the revs to save gas, this switch does the opposite.

[sparkynsmoke]

Hey all, the vehicle speed sensor was changed on Sparky and while she still shifts hard, I think I'll just have to change the tranny filter and fluid, and she'll be good to go. 13 model years old and while some have told me to get a newer car, I love Sparky and she's been very reliable.