Jerk when put in reverse...

m.cakes · 09-03-2002, 08:29 PM

not everytime but sometimes when i put my car in reverse i get a hard jerk....i drive an automatic...anyone know whats going on with it....thanks

jake

Grif97sl2 · 09-03-2002, 08:42 PM

This is a known problem with the transaxle valve body. As far as I know there is not a lot you can do about it except wait for it to get worse, and if it does, take it in to the dealer. Its a spendy fix.

See:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=sa...oe=UTF-8&hl=en

CelticShadow · 09-03-2002, 09:30 PM

It'll take quite a long time for it to progressively get worse. Mine's been doing it for about 3 years now. My solution though......NEW TRANNY (5-SPEED)

wolfman · 09-04-2002, 02:43 AM

I have posted this proceedure to cure the reverse "slam" in other ( to remain unmentioned) Saturn forums. This sounds weird, but has worked in nearly every Saturn I have tried it on. Don't go cheap on the fluid or filter...and follow the steps EXACTLY.
1. Change transaxle fluid (Non-synthetic) and filter (Saturn part ONLY please)
2. Add your choice of transaxle fluid additive (IE: Transmedic- Personal preferance Prolong transmission and gearbox additive)
3.Back the car up against a SOLID nondamaging object or wall and/or FIRMLY set the parking brake and chock the wheels.
4. Start the car and place it in reverse and LEAVE it there RUNNING in REVERSE for approx. 30 minutes.

THis will NOT harm the transaxle. What it does is simulate driving the car in reverse for like 25 miles..using the clean transaxle fluid and additive to clean and flushout the reverse gear switching valve and valve body passeges. I know it sounds/seems weird but it works like a charm 95% of the time.

Grif97sl2 · 09-04-2002, 02:55 AM

Intresting suggestion wolfman. Mine only jerks when after a very long drive, I park or just let the car idle, then next time I put it in reverse, it jerks. Basicly only jerks when really hot I guess.

BTW: Does you trick roll back the odometer? hehehe Shades of Ferris Bueller.

wolfman · 09-04-2002, 03:15 AM

LOL No the wheels don't turn so the miles don't roll away...not that they would anyway. The hot slam into reverse is the classic example. What happens is a varnish/crud build up on the reverse sloenoid valve and reverse passages are agravatted by the heat "expanding" the metal. Think of it this way you drive the car 18000+ miles in one direction and then ask it to go the other way occasionally for 18 feet... It's amazing it will do it at all! LOL. Seriously though, my little trick has cured all but one car I used it on...permanantly! And costs little to try in comparison to valve body work/replacement. An issue (one of many) I had with my former employer..who was "In the business to make money, not friends.."

Grif97sl2 · 09-04-2002, 03:22 AM

Thanks Wolfman, thats real good info....

Joeybagodonuts · 09-04-2002, 01:45 PM

if you have a low mileage tranny and its worth saving we sell the valve bodys for half the cost of new, common problem wolfmans fix MAY help but many arte unsavable, take it from a guy who knows these things upside down and backwards.
if the car has high miles we recomend replacing the whole trans, why? cause for only 200.00 more then our valve body you can have a nice spanky low mileage unit in there. if its very high mileage, say over 100k why bother psending any time trying to save it when a whole new unit with us is between 4-500.00? the valve body ALONE at saturn is over 400.00.
either way if you cant "unstick it" which i have to admit, i havent seen any procedure work yet, not saying wolfs wont, i just have never seen it or heard of it working or being done anywhere while we do sell tons of valve bodys and units.

ImPmpnU2 · 09-05-2002, 08:02 PM

i had that same problem about two years ago. took it into the dealer and it woulda been a ton of money but it was covered under warranty. it was like 1200$ they replaced the tranny and everything. yep, two years later its starting to act up on me again. stupid ass saturn tranny's. i think this time i might switch it out to a 5 speed!!! =)