Transmission Issues!!

I have an Alero 2002 4 door, automatic
So far it has been fine - However I have replaced my brakes 3 times - they do seem to die quickly!! I drive quite a bit to and from work so it has been under a lot of pressure from the roads/traffic...but my latest PROBLEM has been the transmission - or so we think! It is hard to describe, but lately I have noticed a slight hesitation when accelerating, then this progressed into it revving to change gears - from a stop!! once I get going its fine, but acceleration takes a while! So we had it checked by the dealer (power train warranty) and they said it was the sensor for the transmission, so they replaced it - then they noticed a hesitation while driving above 80km/hour, but the gears were shifting properly. So they replaced the fuel filter, thinking that was the problem, turns out it wasn't! So now we are getting a Transmission specialist to look at it...but, yes another BUT, yesterday I was out and it was doing the revving from a stop again! I am so frustrated and annoyed that no one seems to be able to figure this out! So my friend told me to check with people on-line to see if anyone is experiencing the same things!
PLEASE let me know if this sounds familiar!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I have an Alero 2002 4 door, automatic
So far it has been fine - However I have replaced my brakes 3 times - they do seem to die quickly!! I drive quite a bit to and from work so it has been under a lot of pressure from the roads/traffic...but my latest PROBLEM has been the transmission - or so we think! It is hard to describe, but lately I have noticed a slight hesitation when accelerating, then this progressed into it revving to change gears - from a stop!! once I get going its fine, but acceleration takes a while! So we had it checked by the dealer (power train warranty) and they said it was the sensor for the transmission, so they replaced it - then they noticed a hesitation while driving above 80km/hour, but the gears were shifting properly. So they replaced the fuel filter, thinking that was the problem, turns out it wasn't! So now we are getting a Transmission specialist to look at it...but, yes another BUT, yesterday I was out and it was doing the revving from a stop again! I am so frustrated and annoyed that no one seems to be able to figure this out! So my friend told me to check with people on-line to see if anyone is experiencing the same things!
PLEASE let me know if this sounds familiar!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

What's the mileage on your Alero. Have you done the basics such as fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, wires or check fuel pressure? Do you ever get the SES (Service Engine Soon) light?

Hi

I had it in at the dealer and they couldn't find anything on the scan check - but they replaced a sensor for the transmission (not sure of the exact name...) so that helped the gear shifting (for then!!)- then they tested it on the highway and thats where they noticed the hesitation - so they replaced the fuel filter - thinking that was the problem...it still hesitated...so my father is getting a transmission specialist to look at it (as my warrenty is up - except for the powertrain, which they belive this problem has nothing to do with...) I have 96,000KM its a 2002 - yah- its high! I drive A LOT!!! joys of commuting!
So we got it back from the dealer on the weekend - and I was driving it and it started doing that revving again as I accelerated from a stop (I noticed that it was when the car was warmed up a bit)
It is hopefully getting checked by this specialist today...I read in another posting something about the MAF - so I have asked the mechanic to look into that...oh, no warning lights have come on either...so the scanner is not picking up any recorded problems.
Is it possible that it just needs a good tune up - I get my regular oil changes etc. but it hasn't had a thorough tune up....I just want my car back! :)

Certainly sounds like the same if not very simialr I'm having w/ my 99 Alero. I think you replied to my post, "99 Alero Hesitation."

I too was thinking I need to have the trans checked. Very interested in how the MAF thing works out.

Keep us posted! Thanks

Certainly sounds like the same if not very simialr I'm having w/ my 99 Alero. I think you replied to my post, "99 Alero Hesitation."

I too was thinking I need to have the trans checked. Very interested in how the MAF thing works out.

Keep us posted! Thanks

A defective MAF sensor will generally give two types of symptoms. Erratic acceleration from a stop.....for example you have to keep the revs up while idling or the car stumbles or dies out. Another sign is under hard acceleration from a dead stop and somewheres around 3000 - 4000 rpms the cars stumbles, hesitates or misfires. Many times there will be no SES light.

Misfire or hesitation at higher rpms could also be the ICM (Ignition Control Module), bad spark plugs or wires.

Initially you don't need to waste money and replace the MAF, just disconnect it, run the car, and see if the symptoms go away or improve.
If problem is corrected, replace the MAF. If not look into other possibilities. Good luck!

I have an '01 and have replaced mine 4 times... I have 112k miles........

Hi All!

I had another mechanic check my car out and he found that the catalitic was clogged....so he had it cleaned out (somehow) and I got it back on Sat. and it is running like brand new! I had asked him to look into the MAF - he did - and all was fine there...so lets see how long this lasts - hopefully it took care of the problem for good though!
Just wierd that a 3 year old catalitc got clogged so fast - isn't it more common in 7-10 year old cars!?

Hi All!

I had another mechanic check my car out and he found that the catalitic was clogged....so he had it cleaned out (somehow) and I got it back on Sat. and it is running like brand new! I had asked him to look into the MAF - he did - and all was fine there...so lets see how long this lasts - hopefully it took care of the problem for good though!
Just wierd that a 3 year old catalitc got clogged so fast - isn't it more common in 7-10 year old cars!?


Thats very interesting. A clogged CAT convertor on a 2002. How many miles do you have on your Alero? GM's PCM/Emmissions warranty is supposed to cover the CAT convertor. It is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you have under 80K, I'd take it to a GM dealer and have them put in a new one for free. The mechanic's cleaning job may not last long. Good luck!

Oh, I am way over 80,000 I am about 95 now...!

I know that I am over one year late to this forum, but I was wondering how Miranda is doing with the Alero and how the cleaning of the CAD helped the vehicle. I own a 2000 Alero and drive approximately 50 miles to and from work every day on the Ohio Turnpike. Approximately two months ago exactly, I noticed at about the midway point to work that my car was hesitating. It did this for a couple weeks until one day it died on me on my way to work one morning. No lights went on, no warning at all...except for the car hesitating. I believe I was going approximately 80 mph. I freaked out, 28 year old female stranded on the side of the Turnpike, who wouldn't? Thankfully, my car died right before the exit to my parent's house. I called my uncle who owns his own towing business and was waiting about 25 minutes when I decided to try to start it again. It started and I drove it straight to my parent's house. I waited there for about one hour and let the car rest. I thought maybe it just needed gas, I had one-quarter tank. I told my mother that I was going to go up the street and put gas in my car and attempt to get to work, which was only about 20 more miles. While on my way to work, my car completely died and would not start up again. Approximately 40 minutes later, after my mother arrived to pick me up and speaking with the dealership just down the road, I attempted to start the car again and it started up....I immediately took off and got it to the dealer. The dealer indicated that I needed a new fuel filter, which they replaced. I also had them give me a tune up while they were working on it. Now, I am going through everything all over again. I took my car to a different dealership, the one I bought my car from, and they had the car for one week. After diagnostic and driving the car, they indicated that it would not act up for them. I got my car back yesterday and this morning on my way to work, again doing approximately 80 mph (obviously, I like fast) the car started acting up again. I am totally at a loss. I have not clue what to do or what my next step should be. Can somebody PLEASE help me.

Sorry ncassidy but AF rules frown upon opening old threads. If the thread or last post is over 3 months olds then the best thing to do is start a new thread if you have an issue to discuss. Thread closed.