02 Grand am Trans problem?

[ziggy61]

I have recently purchased a 2002 Grand am SE1. Overall it's in good shape. I have just a couple of annoying problems. (1) there is a "squeal" when I make a hard right turn and (2) there is a "chugging" at 40-55 mph. The second problems concerns me more. I can let off the gas, then accelerate, and the car the problems smooths out. The engine performs fine otherwise. I have noticed that I don't have the problem if I drop into 3 rather than D. I have already replaced the spark plugs and wires, and one mechanic thought it might be the fuel filter, so we replaced that too. I've heard "overdrive sensor" and other transmission possiblities. Your suggestions please?

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF.

The sqeal is probly the belt or your power steering pump.
This can happen if you turn the wheel to hard in either direction.

With the chug I'd try changing your trans fluid & filter.
Though I would not have it flushed

Could try some seafoam trans treatment before you change the fluid to see if that clears it up.

[ziggy61]

I've taken the car in to a trans shop, and diagnosis there revealed no engine or trans codes in the computer. Of course, it runs fine when the mechanic drives it. Last night the chugging worsened. With AC on, it starting chugging then bucking. I tried to push it, by accelerating, and it just bucked and jumped,like it wasn't getting gas. Could this be in the fuel system?

[dragos69ca]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Welcome to AF.

The sqeal is probly the belt or your power steering pump.
This can happen if you turn the wheel to hard in either direction.

With the chug I'd try changing your trans fluid & filter.
Though I would not have it flushed

Could try some seafoam trans treatment before you change the fluid to see if that clears it up.

The power steering pump doesn't make a difference between left and right turn...if you have the noise on both direction then the pump is noisy...regarding the treatment I don't suggest that as these "performance fluids" have a different viscozity than the original designed...I had problems with these treatments.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by ziggy61

I've taken the car in to a trans shop, and diagnosis there revealed no engine or trans codes in the computer. Of course, it runs fine when the mechanic drives it. Last night the chugging worsened. With AC on, it starting chugging then bucking. I tried to push it, by accelerating, and it just bucked and jumped,like it wasn't getting gas. Could this be in the fuel system?

Chuging..... I Still would try that Seafoam Trans treatment
And or get the trans fluid & filter changed.

As most "chuging" I have seen, is from varnish biuld up in the valve body causing shift solenoids to stick causing the chug.

btw how many miles are on this GA??
And on the noisey PS Pump,
it is recomended that the fluid(& filter)be changed every 30-40k miles.
Just changing the fluid can help with noise.

Both of my GA's are running Synthetic ps fluid.
They both used to have bad psp noise, they've been fine since the change to synthetic .

Originally Posted by dragos69ca

The power steering pump doesn't make a difference between left and right turn...if you have the noise on both direction then the pump is noisy...regarding the treatment I don't suggest that as these "performance fluids" have a different viscozity than the original designed...I had problems with these treatments.

This can be true dragos69ca.
Some products are bad for your trans, though I have never heard or seen any problems with seafoam products.

Viscosity realy isnt anything to worry about with treatments.
Its more about the crap put into the products that can swell, & or dry out rubbber seals inside the trans.
Or they contain harsh chemicals that can damage clutch(bbands) face materials.