automatic trans shifting

[Jack M. Riina]

Weird shiftin when car has been driven for a while it will some times downshift for no reason stay there for a while and goes back to normal.

Previous owner had sensors replaced and they said it did not change anything.. maybe wrong sensor was changed?? Any ideas please let me know..

[sierrap615]

year?

when does this happen?(temp, gear, speed, rpm?)

was the ECT replaced?

[Jack M. Riina]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

year?

when does this happen?(temp, gear, speed, rpm?)

was the ECT replaced?

Year - 1995

It happens in fourth gear at about 30 to 35 mph it goes from about 1500 rpm downshifts to 3000 rpm stays ther for a while and then it goes to normal after I let the gas pedal up. It happens at regular operating
temp.. does not overheat... trans fluid smells clean not burned and full.. thanks for the come back. I have to look at the receipt to see if the ECT was replaced...

[Jack M. Riina]

Year - 1995

It happens in fourth gear at about 30 to 35 mph it goes from about 1500 rpm downshifts to 3000 rpm stays ther for a while and then it goes to normal after I let the gas pedal up. It happens at regular operating
temp.. does not overheat... trans fluid smells clean not burned and full.. thanks for the come back. I have to look at the receipt to see if the ECT was replaced...

[sierrap615]

if you could list the sensors replaced that would be great, as well as any other major repairs.

any SES light? any difference with the NORM/PERF switch? any "slamming" into gear?

[Jack M. Riina]

No light yet, it seems betterin the performance mode.. I have to look at the receipts to see the sensors that they replaced.. I will do that later this afternoon. Also no slamming into gears.

[sierrap615]

since i may not have a chance to post in the next few days, i'll skip to the point. if the ECT(engine coolent temp) and TFT(transmission fluid temp) sensors have not been replaced, go to a saturn dealership and have them tested and/or replaced. if you search this forum, you will find countless problems related to a bad ECT, the TFT is the same exact part, but its in the trans not the engine. the ECT is more likey to fail becase it is in a harsher enviorment. sometime in 2001 they replaced the old design sensor with a brass-tiped design, the new design should last forever. like i said take it to saturn, few if any regular auto shops know of saturn's ECT problem, and the redesigned sensor is only available from saturn. or if you are more of a DIYer, here is a how-to - http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24003

[Jack M. Riina]

The shifting sensors were replaced in the trans. I just replaced the ect on the engine and it seems to be a lot better now knock on wood it has not acted up yet...thanks for the info, now if the oil mystery would go away the car would be perfect..

[sierrap615]

ohhh oil mystery.... those are fun and easy 99% of the time. how many miles/quart?

[donkeyboy]

my saturn sucks. lesson learned.