AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/AXLE

1999 SATURN SL1
130,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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RKEITHS
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EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL WHEN I STOPPED BRIEFLY AT AN ATM,PUT SHIFT SELECTOR IN "PARK" THEN PUT BACK INTO "DRIVE" AND CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS TAKING OFF IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR.EVEN STOPPING AND STARTING OUT AGAIN DIDN'T HELP.I TRIED TO ACCELERATE GENTLY AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE A BIT HARDER AND I GOT A STRONG BANGING AND FEELING LIKE JUNPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR.I NEXT GOT SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT.IT CAME BACK WITH PO733 (INCORRECT 3RD GEAR RATIO)OBD II CODE.I CHECKED TRANS FLUID LEVEL,COLOR,AND SMELL, AND ERASED CODES.ALL SEEMED AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR 5 TO 10 MILES,AND THEN BACK TO SAME PROBLEMS ONLY NOW 3, 4, & 5 CODES LIKE PO731-PO735.nO DEALERSHIP OR AUTO PARTS STORE SEEMS TO HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS??? WHAT MIGHT THIS MOST LOGICALLY BE CAUSED BY? THE ONLY SYMPTOM WITHOUT ANY CODES EVER SHOWING UP PRIOR TO THIS WAS NORMAL UPSHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR HELD LONGER UNLESS I GOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ALLOWED IT TO SHIFT SOONER? ANY SUGGESTIONS WELCOME. TRANS FLUID AND FILTER CHANGED ABOUT 12,000 TO 14,000 MILES AGO. 1999 SL1 4 DOOR SEDAN NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON IT.
I AM 57 YRS OLD AND COMPLETELY SOC.SEC.DISABLED BARELY SURVIVING ON A MINISCULE MONTHLY DISABILITY INCOME.I CAN ONLY DONATE A VERY SMALL $ AMOUNT BUT WILL BE GLAD TO DO SO IF YOU WON'T BE INSULTED BY MY OFFERING.
THANK YOU,SINCERELY, RICHARD

PS.I HAVE AN EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING/LEAKING ISSUE(ABOUT 1 QUART PER TANKFUL OF FUEL) WHICH MYSTERIOUSLY HAS ONLY SHOWN A TINY PUFF OF SMOKE MAYBE 2 TIMES FOR THE 17,000 MILES THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY DRIVEN THIS CAR,NO SMOKE ANY OTHER TIME, OR NO OBVIOUS OIL LEAKS,DRIPS,SPOTS OR PUDDLES UNDER CAR ? ? ?


updated 2-18-10
I have cleared the code or codes several times. When they've returned
it has been, I believe All 3 or 4 times that codes have reappeared PO733,
and on another occasion there has also been a PO732 after the PO733 was
first showing, and another occasion there was the PO733 first showing, and
I believe PO732,PO731, and PO734 OR PO735.The codes are cleared at
present, but if I drive a 10 to 15 mile round trip, if a slipped or hard
banging shift occurrs from slightly too much acceleration,.. the service
engine light and at least one PO733 code will reappear.
Please tell me what are transmission actuators?, what is their
correct function?, How many of them are there?, are they a serviceable or
replaceable part?, where exactly on the vehicle are they located?, and
How or Why or WHAT would cause the loss of power to these actuators ??
PLEASE EXPLAIN, and what is the repair for this situation PLEASE ? ?
ALSO,. PLEASE EXPLAIN what You mean by a pressure issue inside the
transmission and what to do to check it or repair this situation, PLEASE ??
Lastly , Any suggestions as to why so much motor oil consumption
without visible signs of smoke or obvious signs of motor oil leakage. I
have one Haynes Manual, but it doesn't explain very in depth
troubleshooting procedures or Diagnosis.
Thank You, Sincerely Richard
Feb 16, 2011 at 7:57 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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So you have code's P0731 P0732 p0733 p0734 p0735 is that correct?If that isn't correct i need to know what the exact code number's you have are?It sound's like you could be loosing power to the transmission actuators or you could have a pressure issue inside the transmission.
Feb 16, 2011 at 8:03 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Alright p0731 is 1st gear ratio incorrect p0732 is 2nd gear ratio incorrect p0733 is 3rd gear ratio incorrect p0734 is 4th gear ratio incorrect.P0735 i don't see as a code for that car those code's say there is slippage in those gear's.The actuator's are what the computer's use to send the fluid pressure to clutch piston seal's to engage the clutch pack's.There are 5 actuator's 2nd 3rd 4th tcc and mlp the tcc is for the torque converter and mlp is the main line pressure meaning the transmission fluid pressure.The actuators are located in the valve body they are replaceable but for multiple one's to fail causing all these code's highly unlikely from the code's you have posted i feel the most likely cause is the pressure within the transmission being too low.There is a pump in the transmission like you have a oil pump in your engine but the one in transmission put's out a lot higher pressure.The pressure is controlled by the line pressure regulator and the line pressure actuator.the most common reason for a low pressure issue is caused by the pressure regulator which is in the valve body.If that's the problem you will have replace the valve body.But to see if it's a low pressure issue you will have to drive the car till it get's nice and hot and start's acting up and hook up a transmission pressure tester to read pressure's i can give you further instruction's at that point.If it is the pressure regulator and you are taking off the valve body you will need a air compressor and regulated 60psi of air and a rubber tipped blow nozzle to air check all the clutches while you are there.So do you have tool's and the know how to work on car's?It's pretty easy to do but that is coming from me i have worked for saturn as a tech for over 16yrs.Also the cost of the valve body isn't cheap you are looking at 200-300 to get a good one plus the gasket which is about 40.If you took it to a transmission shop they would probably tell you they would have to rebuild the transmission just from the code's without doing a air check or line pressure test.As far as your oil consumption if your not leaking any oil and your using about 1 quart every 300 mile's then the engine burning it.You can try using a quart of lucas oil stabilizer next oil change to slow the burning down it work's really good i use it in my 1999 sl2 it burn's some oil as well.Let me know what you want to do.Also if you want to donate any amount would be fine it wouldn't be a insult at all.
Feb 18, 2011 at 6:50 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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I found the code p0735 here is a code description also do you have a multimeter?
During normal driving modes the PCM adapts line pressure to prevent clutch slip and harsh shifts. This is accomplished by modulating the pressure control solenoid ground (1530) to raise or lower pressure. Open circuit = high pressure, grounded circuit = low pressure. If there is too much slip in all gears and line pressure has been commanded high, it is determined that actual line pressure is too low.

DTC PARAMETERS
DTC P0745 is set when the PCM has detected the following conditions within the same ignition cycle:

* Transaxle diagnostic trouble codes P0731, P0732, P0733 and P0734 are detected.
* Since these diagnostic trouble DTCs are set no forward gears are available.

TEST DESCRIPTION
Numbered steps below refer to numbered steps on chart.

1. Check for DTC P0746. It must be eliminated first as a possible cause of a DTC P0745.
2. Check solenoid operation. Use solenoid quick check in test section located at the end of the code charts. The solenoid quick test will PWM the solenoids at a set rate. Listen and compare noise of the pressure control solenoid to that of other solenoids. The noise of all should be similar.

IMPORTANT: To check actuator operation, command actuator quick test using the Scan tool.

* If noise is faint or not present, replace the pressure control solenoid. Be sure to check all connections at the solenoid and connector plate before replacing the solenoid.
* If noise is audible, same as other solenoids, the pressure regulator valve may be binding in the bore or there is pump damage.

3. Check pressure regulator valve operation. Use pressure test in test section at end of DTC charts. Make sure pressure increases in correct increments during pressure test.
4. If no gears are available, a DTC P0730 will probably be set. Make sure pressure increases in correct increments during pressure test. If pressure changes erratically and moves in large increments, the pressure regulator valve is probably sticking in the bore.
5. Check for the following conditions:

o Pressure regulator valve stuck.
o Sump suction filter restricted.
o Internal leak, casting or pump to case seal leak.
o Pump problem

REPAIR VERIFICATION
Monitor DTC menu "Code Status" for "Pass Since Code Clear" and "Pass This Ignition Cycle." When both have passed, repair is verified.

Criteria for pass:

* Steady state in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th with no slip for 0.4 seconds.
* Engine torque greater than 30 counts with no slip for 0.1 seconds.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS

* Could be a hot or cold only condition. If condition is intermittent, try to reproduce conditions in malfunction (MALF) table to reset the DTC.
* When the PCM detects a fault in the circuit (open, ground, short) the PCM will open the circuit internally to protect the circuit.
Feb 19, 2011 at 6:13 AM