Transmission not shifting properly and check engine light turns on?

Hi,

It sounds like it is going into what is called limp mode. This can be the result of several different things.

Have you checked the transmission fluid level and condition? If not, start with that. It may be low or extremely dirty.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

Also, have you had the computer scanned while the light is on?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

Tried all of that and the speed sensor and transmission temperature sensor. was told on here PCM going out it's doing it more often now.

Hi,

Are there any diagnostic codes stored in the computer? Also, who was it that told you the PCM was faulty?

Let me know.

Joe

No codes...

It's not at all common for the PCM to go bad on those cars at all the most common issues with that year model Saturn. Is the pressure regulator bore wears and causes unstable line pressure in the transmission. If the line pressure solenoid failed you should get a hard shift. Since there isn't a hard shift, I would suspect the transmission is suffering from low line pressure. How did you check for codes you said there weren't any codes? If you flashed the codes out the check engine light would flash out engine codes. If memory serves correctly the transmission codes flashes out of the temperature light, I believe. It has been so many years since I flashed codes on those cars. Does the shift to D2 light ever come on the dash?

Also please look into the fluid level as Joe suggested when the fluid gets low on those cars sometimes you will get a weird whistling noise on Acceleration. Check the fluid level while idling in park with the engine at normal operating temperature.

Already did that, thank you. It wasn't and looks good and clean.

I used paper clip after check engine light flashed once and then two times the temperature light flashed two times and went back to check engine light.

That's how to check the codes but sounds like you know how to do that. So, did the temperature light flash twice then flash twice again before going back to check engine light flashing? The engine light was displaying a code 12 means you have no codes in the engine computer and the computer is working. Also have you checked the battery voltage at the battery while idling?

Did you check the wires by the transmission filter to make sure they weren't damaged or there wasn't any rodent damage to any of the transmission wires as well?

Car runs great until several stops and goes the check engine light comes on and won't shift up turn off works like it should. I already change speed sensor and it fixed the cruise control, lol. Can the PCM actually do this and everything else works fine?

Yes, i checked battery and voltage. It checked out good. i thought that it might be that also. I hope you guys can help me figure this out. the car saves me a ton in gas.

I worked for Saturn for over 16 years and in those over 16 years, I remember replacing one PCM on a 1995 Saturn. I remember they had a recall on the earlier Saturn's then that I think it was the 1991 and or the 1992 PCMs where we had to replace them. Other than that it was extremely rare to see a bad one. The LS2 v6 Saturn's different story it wasn't uncommon to see a bad ECM engine control module. Those cars had a separate transmission control module. If the check engine light is coming on and that's when it starts acting up. There has to be a code somewhere in the computer. Can you maybe send me a video of you checking the codes? So I can see what that temperature light is doing?

Also did you make sure the battery cables are clean and tight?

Yes. i will take a video tomorrow. I'm at work now. Thank you for your help.

Saturntech9 can't get video to download do you have an email i can send to?

I will update response when I get the video.

Okay, I'm getting a code 11 check transaxle, but get 2 flashes then 3 flashes from the temperature light?

Finally got it loaded, hope you all can help.

Looks like I was able to attach the video you sent me.The code 11 if you had a scan tool would say transmission codes present.The transmission code 23 is a no 3rd gear code or 3rd ratio error.That can be caused by a bad 3rd gear clutch piston low line pressure in the transmission a bad 3rd solenoid.Or a electrical problem.As far as testing the solenoid wires and pcm driver is to do a transmission actuator audible test.That requires a advanced by directional scan tool.That has that special function also forgot to mention another possible cause is a bad connector bus plate for the actuators.We could start by checking the actuator with a multimeter?Do you have one of those ?Also have to check it when it's acting up.

Well, i don't have any of those tools. now i don't know what I'm going to do. The old car runs and drives great except for that. Thank you for your help.

This could be a not so complicated issue or a transmission out of car repair without some basic tests wouldn't know what comes next. In my experience either when the transmission gets warm and fluid gets thinner it aggravates a leaking 3rd gear piston leaking or creates a even worse low transmission line pressure issue.Or the transmission gets warm abs causes the 3rd gear solenoid to fail or the solenoid buss plate to fail or one of the wires to the bus plate to fail.

It only seems to fail when i go about 25 miles to work but doesn't do it on my way home i work third shift not as much stop and go coming home.

Yes still without doing some tests we can't figure out what's going on the transmission. It could get more complicated and would need more tools to further diagnose but first a multi meter.

What are the chances of it being 3 gear solenoid?

If you're thinking about just replacing the 3rd gear solenoid, I would not, the line pressure being low is petty common on those. Plus, the bad solenoid bus plate is not that uncommon or the bad wires to the buss plate etc. Thats why I mentioned them and said tests needed to be performed. Unfortunately, this is one of those 90 percent sure or a good chance and worth the try. To replace the solenoid, you're going to have to take some stuff off to get to where it is. To replace it you have to take the top cover off the valve body. You will need a 1/4" torque wrench to put it back together.

Okay, going to buy a multi meter so you can walk me through this never used a meter. again, thanks for your help.

Just giving you a warning, the next step would require more tools and tests if nothing is found with a multi meter plus hopefully it acts up long enough to catch it in the act.

What and where is quad module?

The quad module is part of the PCM and not part of the transmission controls. Also, I remember the early years of working for Saturn people would get a code 26 in the engine control module which is a quad driver fault. People would call into the parts department wanting to buy a quad driver module. When the real problem is just a component on the quad driver circuit.