1998 Chevy Cavalier Jerky gear shifts

Tiny
EAMONHEGERTY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
The car is the Z24 version of the Cavalier. The transmission shifts are not always very smooth. One shift occurs around 2400 revs with a slight drop in revs then with the gear shift completing with a jerk. Accelerating harder from standstill makes the shift occur with a jerk at about 4000 revs. The shop I normally take it to advised me they had to reset the computers (2 of) as they were not talking to each other and the car had consequently gone into a 'limping' (default) mode. The car seemed to shift smoothly after this correction for a few drives but now seems to have reverted back to the jerky shifting. I will make a donation to help.
Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 AT 10:51 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Did they tell you of any codes in the PCM when they reset it? Have it scanned to see if it stored a code to help us figure out what is going wrong. Could be an intermittent problem or sticky solenoid
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
EAMONHEGERTY
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No, they didn't give me any codes. Can these codes be obtained via the diagnostic port under the steering wheel or do you obtain them via another port?
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
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The one you see is it.
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
EAMONHEGERTY
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Thanks, I will try this at a local shop (if one provides this type of service) Autozone does it but they advised me that their device would only show a code if the engine warning light is on. I don't have the warning light on so does that mean I have to get a more comprehensive scan elsewhere or is Autozone giving me bad info?
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 AT 4:00 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
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Having a trans shop drive it and diagnose the problem would be the best bet
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 AT 4:20 PM

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