Saturn jumping

Tiny
MSLISA4410
  • MEMBER
  • SATURN
Hi I am a woman but I wont make excuses, because I know a great deal about cars but this one has me very confused! I own a 97 Saturn SL1 when I bought it it had 125, 000 miles. It now has 142, 000 miles on it. Ever since I bought it the engine jumps. Now here is the tricky part, when I went to get an oil change I told the mechanic about it. I told him that it ONLY jumps when I am putting it in reverse and ONLY when the car is warmed up. Those two things togwther. In the morning when I go to back out of the garage, or after work, once the car has cooled down, it NEVER jumps. Once the engine warms up everytime there after it will hesitate and then jump into reverse. It never does this putting it in drive ONLY reverse. Now I have asked every man and every mechanic I know, and I let someone else put it in reverse and looked with the hood up, and I could see the whole engine shake and move backwards when he put it in reverse. So the other mechanic standing with me said that my engine mounts needed to be replaced, others have said transmission, then I have heard change the trans fluid, then I heard valve pack, valve body replacement. CAN SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PROBLEM PLEASE TELL ME HONESTLY! The car runs great and this is the only issue, I just want to get it fixed, look how many miles and almost 3 yrs I have been driving like this. I think if it was the trans it would have went out by now and I think drive would also be effected. Help me somebody! Thank you so very much.
LISA
Saturday, April 21st, 2007 AT 11:33 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
PEPPERMRJ
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,158 POSTS
Hey Mslisa,
When you say the engine jumps, is it reving high before it goes into reverse?

If so this is a common problem on satty automatics. Most refer to it as reverse slam. There is a possible easy and relatively inexpensive fix. There is a valve in the valve body that gets stuck. If left unattended it will require a valve body repair or replacement.

If the engine is not reving it is possible it is a bad mount. Very unlikey tho. The engine would jump every time not just cold.

Let me know if you want the procedure and I will either post or pm you with it.
Satty trannies should have there fluid changed every 30,000 miles. Use mobile 1 synthetic tranny fluid also. It works best in these trannys.

Good luck and let us know. :)
peppermrj

PS, Mom taught both me and my dad how to drive. Grandpa was a trucker and Mom could drive anything!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, April 23rd, 2007 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
MSLISA4410
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi peppermrj,
No the engine does not rev up before it jumps. There is a slight hesitation then you hear a knock or a clunck, then it is ready to go into reverse. I was also told that I wasnt holding my break down all the way. But I tried that also and I can have it smashed as far down as it can go and still the hesitation then the clunk. I swear it only does this when the engine is hot and only when it is put in reverse. Ok I will get the trans fluid changed but I would also like to know what the inexpensive fix is. What do I need to do or buy? Someone said that when the engine gets warm the fluids swell causing extra weight in the back of the engine, therefore making it jump. From what I saw when watching it get put in reverse with the hood up is the whole entire engine shifted backwards toward the windshield, and then sttled back in place. This is why the guy at the oil change place said it was my engine mount. But I totally agree with you, if it was the engine mount why doesnt it jump even when the engine is cold? So if I have reverse slam, please tell me how to fix it or what I need to go and buy to fix it. I trely appreciate your responce. Anything that you can suggest to fix it I will do, I love my car and it is so clean! She drinks alot of oil but I hear that all Sattys do. So I just go back and have it topped off in between oil changes for fee! I look forward to your answer. Thanks again. :)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
PEPPERMRJ
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,158 POSTS
Hey Mslisa,

Judjing from your comments I would say you have a case of "reverse slam". I will e-mail you the procedure. Please follow it or have it followed EXACTLY!

It entails changing the tranny fluid (using regular ATF), using an additive to clean, and running the car in reverse at idle in a stationary position for a specified period. Once again please follow the instructions exactly.

What happens is the valve that controls the shift into reverse sticks. As pressure builds it slams open and into reverse. Normally it should open smoothly and gradually. If it is caught early this fix should take care of it for some time. It is not necessary to repeat unless the symptoms return. Regular tranny fluid changes at 30,000 mile intervals using mobile 1 synthetic tranny fluid may even prevent any reocurrence. It has for me.

Good luck and let us know. :)
peppermrj
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
MSLISA4410
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks Peppermrj!
I will give it a try and let you know how it turns out!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 AT 8:23 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links