transmission stuck in 3rd gear problem

It does sounds like a wiring problem or a shift solenoid I would check the electrical connector at the transmission for corrosion or not on all the way.

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers

first of all thank you for your time on this as i am very "skimp" at the moment. as for my car it may very well be in second gear but engine rpm is not excessive although take off is very slow.i do not seem to have a "check engine light" on,perhaps i should connect a code reader to the port for the heck of it ? this is a listing of diagnosis given on estimate

atf1= atf clean
sh1a= shifter (prndl) indexing correct
dtc2= dtc,s no communication
dr= harsh reverse engagement
r3= third gear starts
q4= no 3-4 upshift
q7= no lockup
low coolant light is on but system is not low

I have checked ground side of relays to fuse block for continuity (all good)but have not checked source side to pcm (were is pcm?) could a single broken wire on one solenoid cause such a condition (no lockup,no shifting,high line pres ect)?

The only inside wire i can think of other than the valve body solenoids would be the clutch for torque converter lockup, that's only part of the problem and that should throw me some codes!

Faulty gear shift selector switch should also throw me some codes, am i correct? also faulty turbine(engine)speed sensor should give me codes? possibly fried bulb in check engine light(better borrow me a code reader) this seems unlikely to me.

Faulty ground strap to tranny? test light says "no" but that's not the same as a big thick strap! don't be afraid to get to teki on me as i have worked in electronics field for a time(repaired smt machines) but autos are not my forte again any insight into this is welcomed (even more by po boy like me) thanks.

hawknapp

So you have a delay bang into reverse?

no delay it just goes into gear very hard r and d, also in the past sometimes there would be a delay in reverse engagement tranny fluid was up,a minor thing so i didnt think much of it.
could this be associated with my current prob?

and this would cause all the problems i listed!?

The incorrect pressure can cause it to bang into reverse and drive also cause the transmission to slip and cause the transmission to go into limp mode and start out in 2nd gear. Here is what i would do first check for codes see which ones i have then most likely do a pressure test.Get me the know numbers and we will go from there.Do you know how to use a jumper wire to read the engine and transmission codes?

Also here are the wiring diagrams and a guide so you can check the wiring.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

There are a handful of fuses I would check as well.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers

yes i do (now). will check and get back to you thanks!

Remember the transmission codes flash thru the low coolant light.

light on dash (second from left) flashes one time then nothing, no code 12, does this mean pcm may be faulty!?

Code 12 is normal does your low coolant light start flashing when you have it jumped?If so see what codes flash out?

i do not have code 12, coolant temp and low level light flash one time (together) then nothing. perhaps this is the "no communication" trans shop observed, i am sure they used an obd 1 tester instead of jumping like i am. code 12 should be flash-short pause, flash flash,repeated three times, i am seeing only one flash!!! at least i can assume diagnostic part of pcm is not working. could anything else cause such a condition, seems pcs is bad, possible replacement needed? im stumped!!!!

So what code do you get out of the low coolant/temp light?

single flash of lights was due to normal bulb test(i inserted jumper then turned key)so i turned key on then inserted jumper...no flash! I AM GETTING NO FLASH AT ALL....NO CODES BEING OUTPUT....REPEAT.. NO CODES AT ALL!!!!! nothing...nada ZIP!!!! whats up? mayby pcm malfunction??????

So you turned the key to the run position with the engine off then jumped the top row two far right terminals together and no code 12 etc?Did the radaitor fan turn on when you jumped it?Also the check engine light comes on when you turn on the key and turns of when you start the car?

that is the procedure i used , cooling fan does come on but no "check engine light" (i do not even know were it is on inst cluster) i suppose ce light should come on when ignition is turned on (bulb test) but i don't see it. will check again this morning(i would think ce light would be obvious)is it by the speedo? in that case i may have missed it. will get back to you, THANKS!!!!!!

The check engine light should be on the left side when your sitting in the drivers seat down low on the cluster.If the cooling fan is coming on when jumping it sounds like its going into diagnostics mode.If the light isnt coming on when you turn the key to the run position solid till you start out it.Maybe the light is burned out or someone removed the blub or put tape over the blub have seen all those things happen.

yes, no check engine light! will check to see if bulb is burnt ect! will get back to you THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sure as heck!!! black tape covering bezel!!!!! probably trying to get car through e-check i will now try diagnostic test again and get back to you... thanks loads!!!!!

code number 25, ats circuit out of range high!!!!!(after code 12)no other codes, no trans codes (these would be low coolant light flashing).... does this help?

At the end of tube that plugs into your air box you will see the ats see if its plugged in or the connector is damaged.The sensors never really go bad when there used a ats.

i did not wait long enough....check engine light eventualy gave code 11(trans codes) then coolant light gave code 56

Please read what i posted bellow.

So no code 11 flashing on the check engine light?We need the transmission codes though.

Alright code 56 indicates internal pcm failure if code appears replace pcm.Its a output driver failure so you need another pcm for starters.If it was my car i would get a used pcm there cheap and already programed.I would find one on ebay needs some help finding one?

yes code 11. here is the order.... code 12...code 25....code 11 then on coolant light code 56.. i may need to take a test drive and check again as i had disconected the battery (reseting codes)....i will do this and check again...will let you know!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

YES....transmission code 56... i could use some help finding a used pcm from ebay-craigs list .havent priced a new one yet(im afraid to $$$!!!) but i bet it's similar to the price they gave me for "internal wiring harness" on my estimate, estimate also says "coolant level light on but coolant was not low" it takes quite a while for the trans codes to manifest so i was not waiting long enough (no ce light to watch..taped)but trans shop would be familiar with this and i think they most likely read the code!! pcm is an easy swap so they most likely didn't tell me the pcm was bad (bad for "their" profit margin")if it is the pcm im going to give them a good talking to!!! i would have gladly paid the 29 dollars for information instead of their wonderfull "free" diagnosis (but they would have only made 29 bucks instead of the 279 dollars on the estimate)there's that "profit margin" again!! im going to price a new one for the hell of it, but a used one would do... thanks again. it's nice to know there are some good folks left in the world...god knows we need them!!!!!!

can i use a pcm from a 94 sl2 in my sw2!!!!

Your welcome thats what were here for to give a honest none bais help with your car.The problem with the free diagnoses if you do the work there they make nothing.So of course they dont want to give you the diagnoses.That code 56 says you have a bad pcm so we have to start there.You may have other issues but we have to get a good pcm in the car to see what happens so we can go from there.So far i dont see where the internal harness in the transmission comes in.They must have been talking about the actuator buss plate.Thats the only electrical thing that can be miss took as a wire harness.Also have you checked the ats like i asked you to?The problem with a lot of the new ones is they still need to be programed.The pcm is up under the dash just in front of the drivers door.I need the part number off your old pcm?Also need to know if you have cruise control ir abs brakes?

ats is plugged in and connector looks ok do not have cruise control no abs dont know what ir is but here are the numbers off pcm




21022763 21022421
perf-auto service no.



862763m340260037
this number is under the bar code!

I need the info i asked you for?Also the link to the pcm you found?

pcm i was asking about is in a wrecked 94 sl2 of my brothers friend thought about swaping out with mine to see if this corrects problem(my luck is you cant). did you see the numbers off my pcm. i think we're out of sync. auto zone quoted me 245 bucks for a new one (with core return)YIKES!!! and you say it will have to be programed first? i guess i will have to compare numbers between them first, is that correct?

Is the 1994 SL2 a automatic also?If so it will probably work.Also does the two top numbers match yours?If they do give it a try.You for sure have pcm ethier way.

ok ill get a hold of that pcm and check the number(it is an automatic) if perf-auto and service no. are the same ill plug it in and see if i have corrected the problem. but i am almost positive he will want it returned so keep looking for one for me(if you would be so kind) you have been marvelous!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After some time i have located a pcm same year same numbers on pcm as original and installed it in my saturn... transmission problem GONE!!! shifting is very smooth now, over pressure problem had been going on for some time but did not notice it(transmission seemed to go into overdrive somewhat hard at low speeds CLUNK!) this is also gone.....but i still have a few problems......obd system is now not giving code 25 (i guess that's good)but i am getting code 26 (quad driver mod a fault)and code 81(tcs fault) even though the numbers match on the pcm,s i think i may have gotten one from a car with tcs/abs..my car does not have tcs/abs. This would explain code 81 am i correct? also the quad driver fault is due to the fact that pcm does not "see"the tcs/abs as there is none installed (open circuit fault) am i thinking correctly or am i up a tree!! the question is if im correct will this affect driving my car!!!! (i can live with the "ce" light or perhaps some black tape please...)id hate to break something, repair was cheep ($27.00 bucks..cant beat that)but as part came from a bone yard im still aprehensive???? can you shed some light on this for me..you were ABSOLUTLY RIGHT on the pcm YAAAA!!!! if i can go forward from here into the saturn sunset of driving destiny it would be great but demons may still lurk under my hood!!! please get back to me THANK YOU!!

HAWKNAPP

This computer came out of a twin cam engine like yours correct?If the donor car had abs/traction control and yours didnt thats why you have a code 81.Your best bet would have them change the options in your computer for no abs.You can do that at the dealer.That way you wont have to live with the check engine light and will know when something goes wrong other then the no abs.Is the code 25 a engine code or a transmission code?There is that same code in both systems.The 26 is quad failure meaning something on the quad circuit has failed.It covers a lot egr solenoid canister purge solenoid speedometer cooling fan power seat belts check engine light etc.

twin cam engine yes. code 25(was)an engine code(its gone now)you say the quad circuit does not deal with the abs?(i must have my car e-tested tomorow to get a new sticker)i suppose if it fails il check those emission systems if it does not pass ill have a start on why! ive been told that flashing the computer is expensive, aprox 70 bucks,is that rite??? i ASSumed that that quad driver was due to componenets of the abs system not being present,but that code 25 (ats sensor out of range high)going away is quite strange??? so you say that quad fault A has nothing to do with the abs??? everything else seems to be working(egr solenoid,canister purge solenoid not obvious)but all other systems are working(spedo,bulbs,seatbelt,cooling fan)if it definatly is not abs ill have to check those solenoids(have to do double time if i dont pass e-check,tags expire on the third).i will look in my haynes manual wiring diagram to see if quad includes abs system (or your answer on abs-quad question)if its not on the quad driver ill have to start looking!!! please get back to me......THANK YOU!!!!!!

Iam postive the quad circuit has nothing to do with the brakes that i know of.Whats funny is the code 26 started when you changed the pcm?Could be something there then.70 is about right to reflash the pcm about 1hr labor.Also heres the bad news with the check engine the car is going to automatically fail your etest.If the lights on for any reason it fails.

My son just bought a 94 sw2, Automatic tranny. when driving and you slow down, the check engine light comes on and it does not shift into third.(kinda like limp mode) If you pull over and shut the car off then restart it. its fine for a few. It does only happen after the car warms up. Also when you put it into reverse you have to step on the gas in order for it to engage in to it. Checked the codes when light was on and had code 23 (no 3rd gear i believe). Any idea would be a great help' Thanks.
Brent

Sounds like you have a issue with the pressure regulator valve in the transmission.Thats very common on those when the pressure becomes too low you will get a delay or no reverse till you give the engine gas.It will also cause the transmission to slip and set incorrect gear ratio codes indicating a slipping clutch pack.The first thing you need to do is buy a transmission pressure gauge test kit if your going to fix this yourself.You will also need a air compressor to air check each gears clutch piston and the reverse servo piston.Otherwise you will have to take it to a transmission shop and usually theywant to take it apart and rebuild the transmission before testing anything.

Thanks for the response. I'm currently in college for Automotive but dont have much experience with diagnosing transmissions. I have access to a transmission pressure test kit and know how to use it. What should it read and is there a step by step site I can go to on how to test the gear clutch pistons? Thank you so much!