2002 Saturn SC2 Transmission

Tiny
CAPACS1
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  • 2002 SATURN SC2
  • 71,200 MILES
Transmission slips at low speed (20, 30, 35 mph).
Mechanic says valve body is sticking, and recomends transmission replacement.
Is it unusual for 71000 mileage 2002 Saturn SC2 transmission to fail?
is there a fix instead of new transmssion?
Friday, May 31st, 2013 AT 4:54 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I have never replaced the transmission for a valve body problem that's stupid. Has a pressure test been done on the transmission?Any codes in the computer? Does it slip in all the gears?
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
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Saturntech 9:

I don't know if a pressure test been done on the transmission. When is that done?

I took it for a second opinion, and the mechanic's report says:
Transmission fluid level is OK and it is clean.
Code P1599 Power management mode or engine stall, P1624 PCM RAM performance or snapshot available. Road tested vehicle for approx. 2 1/2 miles and has hard shifting in 2nd gear, and a small flair in 2nd gear as well, and a delay in reverse. Possible electrical problem.

They said they need to look inside the sealed transmission to see if there is a mechanical problem.
Said I should bring it back next week for that.

Thanks for your response.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The code 1599 is stall detected an the 1624 is set by leaving the cruise on and cycling the ignition too many times. The diagnosis they gave did they do a pressure test?I have worked for Saturn for over 16yrs and most the repairs on those transmission repairs didn't require removing the transmission.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
CAPACS1
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I don't know if they did a pressure test, but I'll find out.
The technical name for it is pressure test?

Thanks
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
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I see you are in the Pacific Time Zone.
Are you anywhere near San Fernando Valley,
and could you recommend a mechanic?

Thanks
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Its a line pressure test there is a high low pressure test a step pressure and checking the pressures in each selected gear reverse drive etc and how quickly the pressure rises to the top pressure reading in the selected gears.I don't live anywhere near there or I would offer to look at it myself. The way check them out is do a aduiable actuctor test on all the actuators then a pressure test like mention before. Then remove the valve body then air check all the clutches with compressed air that will tell me how the clutch pistons orings inside the transmission is holding fluid pressure. Sorry I'm not familiar with that area for good repair shops. I live in southern California. A lot of transmission places answer for repairing them is tearing them down or replacing the transmission.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
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Is a GM dealer any better for this than an independent mechanic or AAMCO?

Thank you.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I used to get calls from the last one you mentioned all the time when I worked at Saturn to help them figure out what was wrong with them.I had a friend in Texas go to one of them and want to tear the transmission down and a independent shop before that.I spoke to the independent shop for her and asked why the tear down?The owner told me because of the gear codes it. Set.I asked if he did a pressure test?He said no he didnt that the guy that does that would b in till Mon. The funny thing was they told my friend they could tear the transmission down that day. Turned out it didn't need to be torn down. The main thing is the steps they use to diagnosis the problem. When you ask about pressure tests step pressure tests and air checking the clutches there like huh?
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
CAPACS1
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I'll ask about the pressure test. If they say huh, I'll go elsewhere.

The online Saturn forums suggest new transmission fluid, new filter, and Prolong or some other additive.
Also, a reverse slam fix.

Your thoughts?

Thank you
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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There are some strange fixes out there for the reverse slam on the internet.I wouldn't use a additive and changing the fluid and filter isn't going to fix it. The pressure test needs to be done first. Most likely you have A worn valve body pressure regulator bore or a loose input shaft nut. The pressure test while putting it in each gear reverse drive etc while watching the pressure and how it takes to read its max pressure in each gear will show a loose input shaft nut while selecting reverse. Also comparing that to the high pressure reading when doing the high pressure reading when doing the high low pressure test.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
CAPACS1
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Saturntech9

I got it pressure tested at a Chevy dealer. The mechanic formerly worked
at the Saturn dealer where I bought the car.
It's O rings and gaskets behind the transmission, and
not a new trans.

Thanks so much for your help!
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So the input shaft nut is loose and while he is in there he is going to replace the hub seals and end cover gasket?
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
CAPACS1
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I'll ask about that.
Thanks
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Alright let me know.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
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Saturntech9:
This is what they did:
Input shaft nut loose, retorque nut and reseal end cover and gasket,
stuck regulator valve inside valve body assembly, replace valve body assembly.
Sounds like they did what you said.
It cost $1490, about half of what I was told a new transmssion would cost.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Too bad you weren't closer I could have done it for way less then that and rebuilt your old valve body with a sonnax upgrade kit.I did my valve body on my 1999 Saturn shifts better then new.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
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I know they made more money on the new valve body they put in. Oh, well.

Thank you for your help.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome anytime I am the Saturn expert on here. Just say this one is for saturntech9 and they will the question for me to answer.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 10:34 AM

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