1995 Saturn SC2 Loses 3rd Gear

1995 SATURN
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JSR198
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Saturn runs fine to start with, after about 20 minutes or so it will turn on the service engine light and lose 3rd gear. I can put the car in nuetral, turn off the key, then restart the car andhave 3rd gear for a while. Do you have any idea what would cause this?
Apr 19, 2006 at 2:46 PM
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PEPPERMRJ
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Are there any malfunction lights flashing? Hot indicator lamp?
Apr 20, 2006 at 12:44 PM
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JSR198
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The service engine light comes on. I can turn the car off and start it back and then I have 3rd gear again.
Apr 20, 2006 at 1:45 PM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
If the light is lit have the codes pulled. Best place to start.
Apr 21, 2006 at 10:15 AM
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ULTRA08CLASSIC
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  • 22 POSTS
My 1995 is doing something what did you do to fix it?
Nov 2, 2022 at 12:07 AM
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ULTRA08CLASSIC
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Turn off and back on light goes off.
Nov 2, 2022 at 12:12 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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This happens when the PCM is going out, I would get a rebuilt unit by searching Google or Ebay. here is the location so you can swap it out to fix the problem. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Nov 2, 2022 at 3:22 AM
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ULTRA08CLASSIC
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Are you pretty certain this will fix? Buying a PCM for $175.00.
Nov 2, 2022 at 3:48 PM
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STRAILER
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I have seen this problem before where the PCM needs to be reset. But I cannot promise you it will fix it. You can send yours out and have it tested so be sure.
Nov 3, 2022 at 6:36 AM
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ULTRA08CLASSIC
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Found it. cooling fan relay was bad. i was about to give up, lol.
Dec 5, 2022 at 7:17 PM
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ULTRA08CLASSIC
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Check your relays ...mine was the cooling fan relay...new one and the old girl is alive again...95 saturn sc2
Dec 5, 2022 at 7:20 PM
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STRAILER
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So, the cooling fan relay fixed the transmission? That's a new one on me thanks for getting back to us.
Dec 6, 2022 at 4:48 AM
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ULTRA08CLASSIC
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Yes, what was happening is cooling fan was being told to kick on and was causing a check engine code and transmission going into limp mode i watched a YouTube video about cooling fan and how to check it...long story short it wasn't kicking on so i checked relays swapped air conditioner to cooling fan and darn if it didn't work don't ask me why but everything is back to normal thanks for your info.
Dec 6, 2022 at 8:21 AM
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STRAILER
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Amazing! nice work hanging in there to get the problem fixed. Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
Dec 7, 2022 at 1:55 AM
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Suggested Repair

Check diagnostic codes and the cooling fan relay. On this car, a failed cooling fan relay kept the fan from running, set the service engine light, and put the transmission in limp mode so third gear was lost. Swapping or replacing the cooling fan relay restored normal operation. A PCM fault was suggested earlier, but testing or replacement should wait until relays and codes are checked.

Conversation Summary

A 1995 Saturn SC2 ran normally at first, then after about 20 minutes the service engine light came on and third gear was lost. Restarting temporarily restored third gear. Advice included pulling codes and considering a failing PCM. The owner later found the cooling fan was not coming on because the cooling fan relay was bad. Swapping in a known-good relay confirmed the fault, and a new relay stopped the code and limp mode.

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