2002 Cavalier Trans/Electrical Issue?

Have a 2002 Cavalier, 4 door, auto trans. It's been one of the most reliable cars I've ever had, and I've been driving since the early '60s.

But a few months ago it started acting up and I took it to my Chevy dealer and they didn't see anything. One day when the car was very warmed up it started to demonstrate the classic "slipping" signs of a slipping transmission. When it did, the speedometer would swing wildly as would the tach, and it sould seem like the engine is racing. If I take it verrrry slooooow, it might shift okay. Makes people behind me understandably impatient. It gets worse if the trans is under strain, like going up a hill. Going down hill, with some momentum, is usually not a problem, but where I am at in southern California, there are lots of hills, and this car now has a problem climbing hills. If I make it onto the freeway and get up to speed without a lot of starts and stops, or hill climbing, I'm okay. It got so bad last weekend that I had to pull over and call a tow truck to get me home. At that time, the engine would be racing, but the speedometer would not move. It's sitting at home now, and if I go home, it will start up fine, I will drive it to the store with no problem; but after it gets warmed up, the "slipping" will start, especially if I'm going up hill and/or try to "wind out" in each gear.

The car has 133,000 miles on it. I had the transmission serviced/flushed at 100,000 along with a tune up.

I know that this may sound like a transmission problem, but I can't help but feel that this is as much an electrical problem. Am I right? Any help would be appreciated; I need to get this fixed, because I'm sharing my wife's car, and we're about to start fighting.

Was there anything else discovered wrong with it, besides a VSS (vehicle speed sensor) ?

I don't know what happened to the other replies that had been here before, but I want to thank all who responded.

I finally got it repaired, and I was right. It was a sensor that dealt with the car's speed. I took my time and found a reputable trans repair place and they did the job. I was sure I didn't need a new transmission. They replaced the sensor as well as a filter and put in new ATF. The car now runs just as good as it ever has. The cost was nearly five bills, but that is about what I expected it would cost, so I don't feel like I paid too much.

Thanks again to all who responded to my plea for help.
:smile:

Great. It sounded like a VSS . When you go to lube and oil places, check that they did not disconnect it. On mine, a 1999, its located at the passenger's side of the trans. Just below where the half axle goes into the trans. Seems may be a gimmick that one place I USED to go to would do to get a fuel system clean.