Vue transmission acting funny

[jclever83]

Hey everyone. 2003 Saturn Vue Automatic 2WD 93K miles. 100K mile maintenance has been done except for the changing of the transmission fluid. I've never changed it (owned it since 63k miles) and I doubt it ever was changed, and after reading post about not changing the fluid after that long I'm not sure what to do about it.

With that all being said; a few days ago the Vue started slamming into gear whenever it would shift and then wouldn't let me get above like 20 or 40mpf and 2k rpm. Got it home hooked the code tested to it and pulled codes P1719 and P0700. Pulled off the MAF sensor, the Throttle body sensor, the sensor at the gas pedal and cleaned them all with electrical cleaner spray and applied dielectric grease and put back together. Cleared the codes. Took it for a aggressive test drive and it worked fine...for 3 days.

Today the similar thing happened again except it seemed like the tranny got stuck in second gear. When I would accelerate from a stop the speed and RPM's moved real slow until I got to about 35-40mph (normal 2nd gear range) then it ran fine. But when I came to a stop and accelerated again it would do it slowly. Got home, attached the code reader again and pulled P0966 and P0700. This time I just unplugged the MAF and Throttle sensors and plugged them back in...and whacked the throttle body with the end of a screw driver. Cleared the codes. Got in a drove around fine for about 3 miles and then the gears started to slam again...but not as hard as the first day. When I would turn the car off and let it sit for a few minutes it would start up and run fine for a few miles then do the gear/shift slam again.

One thing that did seem odd to me was that the engine compartment seemed hotter than normal. When I would open the hood the prop bar that holds the hood up was almost impossible to hold. Maybe that is normal but I've never noticed it being that hot before. The temp gauge was at normal reading, a little bit past 1/4. Coolant is new.

Sorry for all the writing but more info is better than less.

Thanks

[sideup66]

Is it the 4 cylinder or v6? If its 4...sorry man trans could have bitten the dust if thats the case...

[jclever83]

Sorry, 6cy

[Chazberry]

I changed my ATF for the first time at 93k. I would go ahead and do a Drain and Fill.

[sideup66]

Ok your fine on trans then. Prolly wont hurt to start with a change. Where you get into problems is a flush. Just stick to drain and fill, do about 3 of them driving about 200 mi in between each drain.

[VTchemist]

Drain and fill is a good suggestions. The Aisin transmission does have a dipstick, but it is really hard to get to.

You may have to drain and fill several times.

I think the service manual suggests three drain and refills in the shop (and maybe that's why they charge $300).

[jclever83]

Thanks for the good info on the ATF change, I'll be doing that this weekend. Do you guys think the fluid has anything to do with the way my tranny has been acting? I tried to look around the forums but I haven't seen anyone with the same error codes as me. The only solution I found was cleaning the sensor connections but my problems keep reoccurring to a different degree.

[far2grumpy]

Originally Posted by jclever83

Thanks for the good info on the ATF change, I'll be doing that this weekend. Do you guys think the fluid has anything to do with the way my tranny has been acting? I tried to look around the forums but I haven't seen anyone with the same error codes as me. The only solution I found was cleaning the sensor connections but my problems keep reoccurring to a different degree.

I've attached service manual extracts for each of the codes you've noted.

You've probably determined P0700 is set any time ECM receives a malfunction message from TCM.

I don't know anything about the 3.0 auto trans but agree with the other posts suggesting you change fluid sooner than later.

Regarding the higher than normal underhood heat - are you keeping track of the coolant temps and levels? Are the radiator fins clean and does the cooling fan run when expected?

Generally speaking - elevated coolant temps also indicate ATF temps will be high.

[jclever83]

Thanks for that info. i'll read those over and once my little brain digests them I'll start trouble hunting.