'99 SE Transmission question

What would make my transmission slam into 2nd gear, especially at high RPMs, rather than shifting smoothly? I don't think it's a mechnical problem with the tranny, because I've noticed that when I have the battery cable disconnected for several minutes or more to work on the car, the tranny will shift fine for the next several times I drive it. Within a few days, though, it goes back to the very hard shift from first to second. It also doesn't happen all of the time, but enough to be annoying and concern me.

This is an automatic? Thiers an asortment of electronic equipment inside the transmission thats prone to failure. If you hav high miles, over 100k, try a fluid and filter change. Might clear it up a little.
Even newer transmissions will sometimes shift hard, just means line pressure is high(r) maybe than it should be, but its no real big deal though.

I have over 120k, so it's probably time for a fluid and filter change again. I did it at 66k and it smoothed it out for about a week. At that time, there were no signs of any mechanical damage to the transmission as a result of it (metal in the fluid, etc.)

This is an automatic? Thiers an asortment of electronic equipment inside the transmission thats prone to failure. If you hav high miles, over 100k, try a fluid and filter change. Might clear it up a little.
Even newer transmissions will sometimes shift hard, just means line pressure is high(r) maybe than it should be, but its no real big deal though.

I need to do this with mine.. no clue when the last trans fluid was changed ie. new filter... im at 194k miles =\

i think you both need a fluid and filter change.

try adding either trans-x or seafoam at your next filter change. Both are excellent additives that help free up sticky shift solenoids and valves, especially in high mileage transmissions.

I was having the same problem and it was also wanting to die on me at stop lights randomly for no apparent reason. Found I had a bad vacuum hose. Not sure what it was connected to but it was located on the front of the engine on the operators side, to the right of the alternator.