99 SC2 problems

spiels · 03-28-2003, 01:51 AM

We recently purchased a used 99 SC2 (78,000 miles - repo from our credit union) and have experienced a few problems. Right after purchase, "service engine soon" lit. Dealership noted codes in the system: intermittent misfire, bad oxygen sensor - had them change plug wires (I had already changed plugs), put a new sensor on. 2 days after getting car back, "s.e.s." lit again (although car seemed fine). I don't remember actual codes, (although I can get them tomorrow) codes said: low power in 1st gear, low power in 2nd gear, and two or three others. They wanted $80 to troubleshoot, told them to clear codes and we took car back. Drove fine for a about 450 miles. Yesterday while my wife was driving, stopped at light, when trying to pull away, no power at pedal, she said she about floored it to get it rolling, when finally got up to about 20 to 25 mph power kicked in. S.E.S. light came on again. Problem continued for rest of ride to destination (about a mile). After calling me, told her to do her business and drive it home. When returning to car, started fine, drove fine. When I got home, I drove it hard around a few blocks, drove OK although I do notice slight variation in rpm during acceleration. Probably shouldn't have, but disconnected battery to clear codes. Like I said, can get codes tomorrow from dealership visit, any ideas?

Darth Detroit · 03-28-2003, 01:56 AM

SES could mean anything. If its randomly doing strange things like that, it could be PCM. I wouldnt pay any more than $35 to have my car trouble shot. Gonna need to know what the codes were.

spiels · 03-28-2003, 03:05 PM

Codes were as follows: 732, 733, 766, 769, 783. Apparently including "no 2nd or 3rd and low power or performance in 4th.

wolfman · 03-29-2003, 06:53 AM

MMMM Bad mojo going on in the autotransaxle. Couple of things come to mind...check the power output and "sine wave form" of the alternator..(believe it or not) Make sure all the ELECTRICAL connections to the PCM and transaxle are on tight...if that all checks Sounds like a bad turbine pump or "maybe" a valve body problem, although the valve body does not usually affect every gear. "Sometimes" having the transaxle flushed, filter replaced and fluid changed with new can cure this. Worth a shot. If if it does not be prepared to shell out for some transaxle work one way (dealer $$$) or the other (Joey less $$$)

Joeybagodonuts · 03-29-2003, 02:43 PM

thanks wolf, both for trouble shooting and sending him my way, hes right if you have true transaxle problems, (or pcm, or anything) were MUCH cheaper then any dealer, and all our 99 and up stuff is MINT (all our parts come with a year warranty anyway...) drop me an email once you have it nailed down.

spiels · 03-29-2003, 03:10 PM

Wolf: Not sure what I'm looking for in the output and sine wave of the alternator, some help here would be great. Where is the PCM located so I can check the connections? Never heard of having the tranny flushed, what would you expect to pay for the service? Maybe I"ll be talking to you Joey on some parts.

Joeybagodonuts · 03-29-2003, 03:19 PM

wolf has his own tricks for the tranny flush, ill let him describe in his own words cause ive heard its pretty damn effective, next, the best flush available to the public is called a bilstein flush which gets ALL the old fluid out, then do a tranny service replacing the filter, which surely will be catching crud from the flush (i do these on my personal vehicles also)
basically what wolfs saying is get the altenator checked for proper output and all connections such as the pins on the plug on top of the tranny pan.
if none of these help, its time to drop me an email, if you read slsallys post youll find how effective we can be at saving you money, his esitmate for JUST valve body was up over 800.00 we installed a WHOLE 31k tranny for 1000.00 parts and labor, 31k, full year warranty, now if shipping we can have a late model unit to you for 450-550.00 depending on mileage at that cost its not worth it to go into the unit other thent rying to flush. any reapirs will cost you more then that and for 99+'s like yours i have units with well under 20k, might even have a 4-10k one laying around....
when emailing me send me your address for a complete quote with shipping.
good luck, try wolfs flush first when he responds (he will, every tech in this section is the cream of the crop, i have said for years that saturn tecsh are the least trained and the most underpaid in the industry but the boys we got here are the BEST of what saturn has to offer.)

**Ssicarman** · 03-30-2003, 12:01 AM

Checked the codes that you gave and all of them seem to relate to control issues to do with solenoids. So like Wolfman was saying this could be related very much to alternator output problems. Get the alternator checked out and make sure that the diode pattern of the alt is what it should be. The alt should be putting out about 100 amps at full load at 14 to 14.5 volts.

spiels · 03-30-2003, 02:20 PM

I'll be looking for places to get alternator checked and tranny flush tomorrow. If other ideas come up, I may check those also. Will let you know results.