Need Help with my 02 SL1!

[RichesoftheSoul]

I've been having problems with my SL1 for the past couple of days and it seems like it's just starting to get worse. When I put my automatic into reverse the car slams backward(or at least it feels like it), in order to shift over from any other gear. Then while I'm in drive it will sometimes go into a High Rev, normally jumping from 1 1/2 Rpm or 2 1/2 Rpm into the 3's and sometimes 4's range. I'm thinking that I have to replace the solenoid, replace the ECTS, or just end up having to replace the transmission as a hole. Can someone please enlighten me on what might be wrong and what I need to do?

[RC1488]

Your ECTS is BRASS from the factory..no need to replace it.

Do wolfmans remedy on your tranny. hopefully it will fix it. If not, then a new Valve body would be in order

[RichesoftheSoul]

Yeah I need to try wolfman's fix. Checking one thing before hand though. It seems like it's just not getting enough pressure built up in order to shift smoothly. Tomorrow I'm checking to make sure nothing is cracked underneath. How much is it on average to have the valve body replaced by a mechanic, just in case it goes that far.

[RC1488]

Mechanic will charge you and arm and a leg. Do it yourself. Should take maybe at the max 45 min - hour.

Im not sure on the price for it though. Special Forces sells rebuilt valve bodies for the s-series. He is fantastic and is HIGHLY recommended by all saturn owners.

[RC1488]

You could try to replace just the line pressure solenoid. i have posted a video for this. If you cant find it here ill post it agin

[RichesoftheSoul]

I haven't been able to find the video on changing the solenoid, unfortunately. I'm doing the Wolfman remedy tomorrow night, but I just want to check one thing before I do it. After I've finished letting it run in reverse for the 20-30 minutes, should I replace the fluid again seeming as how what would be in the transaxle would be fluid with an additive or is it fine with the additive still there?

[RC1488]

I believe Wolfman does not tell you to replace the fluid again after the treatment. So it should be fine

Line pressure soleniod:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUSSj_2eHUY

[RichesoftheSoul]

The wolfman fix was a failure. The car is still slamming upon placing it in reverse. The fix did manage to do one thing though, the car would rev up high before it would slam upon upshift, now it doesn't rev up, instead it just slams when upshifting. I'm gonna try to replace the Line Pressure Solenoid next, and if that doesn't work I'm gonna be getting it diagnosed. Hopefully the transmission doesn't need replacing and if that's the case I'm getting a new.

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by RichesoftheSoul

The wolfman fix was a failure. The car is still slamming upon placing it in reverse. The fix did manage to do one thing though, the car would rev up high before it would slam upon upshift, now it doesn't rev up, instead it just slams when upshifting. I'm gonna try to replace the Line Pressure Solenoid next, and if that doesn't work I'm gonna be getting it diagnosed. Hopefully the transmission doesn't need replacing and if that's the case I'm getting a new.

Transmission itself is fine. Its the Valve body and input shaft that needs replacing if the line pressure solenoid doesnt fix it. Good luck!

[RichesoftheSoul]

Thanks for all the help with this. your youtube video definitely helps since my engine has the same set up. Would most auto parts stores be able to get me a valve body and input shaft or would I have to buy them from the dealership? Also how hard is it on average for replacing the valve body and input shaft?

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by RichesoftheSoul

Thanks for all the help with this. your youtube video definitely helps since my engine has the same set up. Would most auto parts stores be able to get me a valve body and input shaft or would I have to buy them from the dealership? Also how hard is it on average for replacing the valve body and input shaft?

If you can replace the line pressure soleniod you can replace the valve body. Steps are the same except you remove the bolts holding the valve body to the tranny, not the bolts holding the top of the valve body to the bottom of the valve body.

Dealership has the input shaft nut. its about 5 bucks. From the constant hammering of reverse slams, this nut looses and so your forward gears no longer work correctly. Usually tightening this fixes the forward gear issues, but not the reverse slam. To replace it requires removal of the drivers side cover. This means the driver side end of the subframe must be lowerd about 1 inch so the cover clears. You then remove the cover being careful not to bend the 2 tubes that go into the tranny. Usually removal of the spindle and strut as a whole is suggested otherwise your going to be needing brute strength to hold them out of the way as you remove the cover. From there its a 26mm SHALLOW side walled (napa sells these) socket to remove the old nut. Put the new on on and tighten to 111ft/lbs. This is the hard part as there is easy way to hold the clutch pak as you tighten the nut. Some people use a chain, others use a large screwdriver. Then replace the cover, spindle/strut, subframe, add new fluid and your done.

A new valve body should be bought from Special Forces at saturnfans.com. He has a great reputation for his products and is a fellow saturn owner. His valve bodies are rebuilt for your year with sonax parts.