Why does my car delay shifting?

Tiny
KATNWUBB
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SATURN SL1
  • 160,000 MILES
First of all my car doesnt want to shift hardly at all when its cold. And when warm it will shift at 25 and 30 and 45 and 50 but the rpms rev up between the 2 and 3 and I usually have to let off the gas before it shifts. My trans fluid is full and really clean. Please help!
Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 11:56 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You would need to have a look at the valve body and solenoids.

Transmission is equipped wit self diagnostic system. Get a scan dnoe to check for trouble codes and if any found, post them here.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
KATNWUBB
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Is there a special scanner for that cause I took it to oriellys and had them put a tester on it and it didnt show any codes.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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No special scanner required but it must be compatible with system. Try a different scanner to see if result is the same.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
KATNWUBB
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Well before I took it to oriellys I had my brother in law test it with his tester and nothing. How do I know what tester is compatible with my car?
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 12:38 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If you have 2 different code readers not showing anything, I believe there are no trouble codes.

You most probably need to have the valve body serviced.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 3:11 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Just to add to this one when it wont shift unless you let off the gas have the exhaust checked for excessive back pressure.A exhaust shop can do that have it tested when its acting up. Most of the ones I have seen doing that has been a clogged cat. Also do you have a delay or bang into reverse?
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
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No it don't delay or bang into reverse!
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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When it doesnt shift untill you let off the gas is the car expernicing a loss of power overall?
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
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  • 7 POSTS
It feels like resistance and the rpms rev in between the 2 and 3 ( closer to 3). Just to note it also makes like a whirring or high pitched zipping sound anytime I press the gas. It even does it when I'm in park and press the gas!
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That whiring sound is most likely going to be a idler pulley bearing or a a/c clutch bearing. You will have to touch a screw driver tip to your a/c compressor and your ear to hear if the noise is coming from the compressor. If its not there I suggest removing the idler pulley and spining it on your finger if the bearing is bad you will be able to hear and feel if its bad.I would have your exhaust back pressure tested at a exhaust shop first. Thats the cheapest easiest thing to check first thats also the first thing I would check if I was working on the car.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
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We used a car stethoscope and it's loudest when we put it on the alternator
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Then you could have a bad rear alternator bearing not super common.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 8:24 PM
Tiny
KATNWUBB
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Last question sorry. When I went to get the car it wouldn't start so they replaced the battery it shifted fine for first 3 days so could a bad alternator cause shift problems?
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 8:30 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If the alternator wasnt putting out enough voltage yes have it tested.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 9:32 PM

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