Wish me luck! Trans problem.

I have a confession to make. Last fall, when I posted about the reverse slam problem I was having, it went away -- so I didn't do anything.

Recently the problem came back and much worse (slamming more often and also in drive -- seems to do it at night or when it's cold...) So I took it in, explained about the loose input shaft nut/bolt theory and valve body, and hoped that would be it. But it's not! (I trust my mechanic. They have always been straight with me.)

He is going to try flushing and says it is a 50-50 chance that will work. If it's not that, he thinks it will be something serious and expensive.

So if you have any positive vibes to spare, please aim them at my little 21 year old car which has served me well and maybe it is time for a rest. But I hope not!

I could really use some feedback, so I might also post again separately.

My mechanics tried a bunch of things, including the input shaft thing apparentlty, and then concluded it was the transmission. They sent it out to someone else (I don't know who). My car came back minus the cigarette lighter knob and all my spare change. Which was quite a bit. (I would like to believe that they just left it unattended. But the fix is so shoddy, really I wonder.) And it cost about $2000.

Within a week, it was knocking again, at least as badly if not worse. I took it back, they sent it out again, and it came back.

Again, after about a week, it is knocking again.

Now, my mechanics are great. But I don't know what to think about these other people.

I thought the whole point of older cars (well, one of the points... ) is that they were simple to fix. Fewer computerized things meant that mechanics understood what to do.

Is this not so? And what the heck do I say to my mechanics? It seems like quite a fiasco. Are transmissions that hard to fix? Are they using cr*ppy parts? What on Earth is going on here??

Your thoughts appreciated.

Transmissions arent that hard to fix - BUT what needs to be done is to find someone who knows Saturn transmissions, and who can rebuild it; using a complete master rebuild kit. Just addressing one problem (the slam) is not going to be as effective as a completer removal, dismantle, and rebuild.

Unless you do your own work, you are at the mercy of your mechanics finding a knowledgeable Saturn rebuilder to do the work.

Transmissions arent that hard to fix - BUT what needs to be done is to find someone who knows Saturn transmissions, and who can rebuild it; using a complete master rebuild kit. Just addressing one problem (the slam) is not going to be as effective as a completer removal, dismantle, and rebuild.

Unless you do your own work, you are at the mercy of your mechanics finding a knowledgeable Saturn rebuilder to do the work.

^^ I completely agree. I think the $2000 paid to the "mechanic" should've easily been enough to cover the cost of a complete rebuild and R/R.

Denisond3 and Ruley 73: thanks for the input! That does help. I guess they are learning on my car. I'm not usually an optimist but maybe this is a good day to start. Picking it up for the 3rd time today...