1997 sl1, auto, 143k miles, tranny problem. advise?

white_shadow · 05-12-2005, 03:39 PM

like the title says 97 sl1, auto, 143k miles. problem is when the tranny is warm i dont have reverse, i have to tap the gas to raise the engien rpms ( which i am guessing also increases line pressure in the tranny ) and reverse slams into gear. when the tranny is cold reverse is slow to engage but it will. after i have driven the car for 5+ miles it wont go into reverse unless i hit the gas. ideas as to what may be wrong? i really cant afford right now to place a tranny in the car. the forward gears seem to work fine either hot or cold. anyone???

PurdueGuy · 05-12-2005, 04:02 PM

Have you replaced the fluid & filter?

white_shadow · 05-12-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurdueGuy

Have you replaced the fluid & filter?

now that i think of it, the fluid and filter are prolly the same ones that saturn put on back in 97 when they built the car. i did not think that a fluid/filter change would correct this. what flavor of fluid do the saturn tranny's want? and how much?

the_skin_eater · 05-12-2005, 06:32 PM

after you change that crap if it still does it then go here and follow the instructions...

oh yea...just ask an auto store or the dealer if ya want...or search for it.

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23670

PurdueGuy · 05-12-2005, 07:07 PM

The owners manual says either Saturn tranny fluid, or Dexron III. The manual says to change it every 30,000 miles if outside temp is regularly 90 degrees or higher, the car is used in a lot of city traffic, if it's driven in hilly areas, when doing a lot of towing, or if using the car for a lot of constant driving (taxi service, etc).

They don't say a recommendation that I see for other, lighter driving, but I think it's safe to say you're past the recommended point. Changing fluid/filter is the best place to start, but may or may not solve the problem. Check out the post that skin_eater linked to, and maybe do a search for more info. Good luck!

white_shadow · 05-12-2005, 08:58 PM

thanks all!

white_shadow · 05-26-2005, 04:56 AM

ok fluid and filter have been changed. still have the reverse slam. i have not done the trick by wolfman yet. i am wondering if i should invest more time/money into this or just deal with it. saturn insists that i need a new tranny, go figure, they want 2200 bones.