Automatic tranny starts in second gear

[leonbentz]

Well, it looks like I have an interesting issue. My car is an automatic and it starts in second gear, a lot. It seems to do it more, when it's warmer, so would that most likely be a faulty valve body?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[doug7x]

I'd check the neutral safety switch first....I've had several go on me (NOT on a GEO, so I can't tell you where to look).

[Johnny Mullet]

I think the poster is stating that the car starts moving in second gear instead of first.

Try changing the filter and fluid first. If that don't work, time for a rebuild or replacement.

[leonbentz]

Damn....Johny. Don't scare me like that. It is a JDM, so I hope I don't have to yank it already.

I already replaced the neutral safety switch and nothing changed.

What is the little sensor by the driver's side axle? The one that has only a couple wires on it. It mounts in the gearbox, and it's under the driver's side drive axle. I also understand that there is a speed sensor on these cars too. Is this something that could affect my shifting?

[GM Line Rat]

Common problem with the Geo auto trans. If you can manually put the car in 1st gear and start off, then manually shift it into 2nd, then Drive with no problems......Your issue is most likely the 1st to 2nd shift solenoid inside the trans. I had the same problem with my 1st Metro (Auto Trans). Mine got worse and eventually would only start out in the Drive gear unless I shifted the car manually. But at the prices their selling "Low Mile" JDM Automatic transmissions on E-Bay ($175.00+).....Buy one and replace the whole trans yourself, It's cheaper!!! Here's the E-Bay link

E-Bay - JDM Automatic transmissions

[doug2060]

I believe the sensor you are referring to is the speed sensor. Like Johnny said I would definitely try replacing the fluid and filter before anything.

[leonbentz]

Yea, that is what sucks about this whole thing. I put a JDM tranny in and rebuilt the engine last Fall.

So, how hard is it, to replace the first to second gear soleniod? It seems to shift down on it's own, sometimes, so I'm wondering if things are just sticky. I could run some Trans - X through it and see what happens.

[doug2060]

Did it come with a warranty of any kind?

[RossT]

I would run a cleaner thru the trans oil then change out the fluid before you give up on it.

The two that I have used in transmissions are:

1. seafoam (the one made for the transmission)

2. and auto-rx www.auto-rx.com

The auto-rx is my favorite. it is made from plant easters and gently cleans parts. The seafoam is petro based, and does work wll.

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by doug7x

I'd check the neutral safety switch first....I've had several go on me (NOT on a GEO, so I can't tell you where to look).

The neutral safety switch is only to prevent the car from being started in a gear other than Park. It has nothing to do with the car shifting. 1ST Changing the filter and fluid "May" help you car, but it didn't do anything for my Metro that has these same symptoms. Auto RX Is great stuff, and if you have a sticking 1-2 piston in the valve body of the trans, it will clean up the seals and the entire trans for that matter.....But you MUST follow the instructions for using it to the Letter! I use it in my engines of my cars. Forget using the Lucas transmission treatment..... . In the end, the problem with my car was the "Direct Clutch and 2nd Brake Solenoids", and replacing them cured the problem BUT, If you also have valve body problems withn the shift pistons, a JDM Replacement trans would be the cheaper route for the whole deal.......Then put the new Filter and fluid in that trans and install it. Here's all the pics and info I have on Automatic Transmissions for the Geo's.

Geo Metro Auto Trans Connections (Direct Clutch and 2nd Brake Solenoids are located under the #8 Connections in the pic, inside the trans).



Geo Auto Trans - Exploded View

[leonbentz]

GM Line Rat!! You're an awesome guy. Thanks for the efforts of posting the photos and your inputs. You're a great value to the AF. Come on by and I'll pass lots of cold ones your way.

I was interested in finding some exploded views, just recently and you must have read my mind

I haven't tried the Auto-RX yet, but I will this weekend. This is supposedly a JDM tranny that I bought on Ebay, last August. Of course, the warranty is expired, so I'm looking at options. I still have my old one, but it has over 207,000 on it now. It worked good before, but who's to say how long it will last, if I put it back in? I may have it rebuilt and put it back in, after all, it is the original. While I'm at it, I'll redo the engine.
I just redid the engine, but it's not quite up to my liking. I should have punched it out and put new pistons in, even though the old ones were in good shape.

The oil still does stay pretty clean, but somewhere, I have a leak. My car isn't burning any oil, it's just spittin' it out somewhere and covering my passenger side running gear. I only loose half a quart, ever 500 miles, but it just doesn't make sense. It looks to be coming from the front side of the engine.

I don't care much for the rebuild kit I used. The quality and specs on the gasket set really sucked. I had to return the pistons, because they were made .002 under specs. Yea, my original pistons were closer to new specs, than the brand new ones I bought, so I sent them back to the seller. They never did refund my money or called me to discuss why they wouldn't/couldn't either. If anyone wants to know who to avoid here, email me for the info.
Be careful about buying rebuild kits on Ebay! If you do, you better spec everything out good. So I had my original pistons checked at the machine shop and they checked out good. Fortunately, I didn't use the rod and main bearings from this lousey rebuild kit, because I bought a .010/.010 crank and had to buy new bearings, locally.

I'll possibly research the idea of rebuilding my old tranny myself, or having it done. That way, if anything goes wrong, I'll know who to talk to, about making it right. I think it will be a fun project.
My wife and I just bought a brand new KIA (for her to drive to work), so I'll get to keep my Metro dolled up.

I just put in a new heater core and radiator, a couple weekends ago.

The "Old (Coors)Silver Bullet" just keeps pluggin' along and has never let me down yet. I've owned it, since Fall 2005 and it's done great, plus it's a comfortable ride, for the size of it. I bought it, with 178,000 on it, but it was pretty well cared for. Slightly worn, but pretty good.
For a while, (since the rebuild)I was putting 100 miles a day on it and it never missed a beat. The oil stayed pretty clean, even after running it, for many miles on the freeways.
I also rebuilt a 1969 Dodge 318, for my motorhome, 6 months prior to rebuilding my Metro, but that's another story .

[ws50599]

anyone know where the turbine speed control sensor is located on this 1992 geo metro automatic transmission?

[Crvett69]

part #3 on the top diagram

[Woodie83]

Originally Posted by leonbentz

I don't care much for the rebuild kit I used. The quality and specs on the gasket set really sucked. I had to return the pistons, because they were made .002 under specs. Yea, my original pistons were closer to new specs, than the brand new ones I bought, so I sent them back to the seller. They never did refund my money or called me to discuss why they wouldn't/couldn't either. If anyone wants to know who to avoid here, email me for the info.

I would certainly write it out in plain text right here. That's exactly the sort of information this place is meant for.

[HannabilRox]

I had a Metro that would start out in 3rd gear, but would shift manually just fine. Replaced the Automatic Transmission Control Module ( ATCM ) located under the dash next to the steering column and that solved that problem!

I now have a similar issue to the original post here...if my car sits overnight, then when I first start and go, it works perfect, by the time it warms up, it won't shift from 1st to 2nd without letting off the gas after it goes over 4,000 RPM. It also will not go in reverse. I have replaced the ATCM, neutral safety switch and speed sensor. I do believe it is the transmission solenoids, but not sure where they are located ( in the valve body or on the side of the tranny )?

GM Line Rat - I do not see the links to your post showing the pictures of the tranny and solenoid details. Can you please repost?