1992 Cavalier rs wagon transmission problem?

Question

RUNS AND SHIFTS GREAT ON SHORT TRIPS THROUGH TOWN. WHEN I DRIVE FOR 30 MIN. OR MORE AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT DOWN ALL THE WAY. THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING FORWARD AND IF I KEEP ON THE BRAKE IT WILL KILL ON ME. I CAN SHIFT IT TO NEUTRAL TO KEEP IT RUNNING, BUT WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF I HAVE TO GIVE IT LOTS OF GAS AND SLAM IT INTO DRIVE. VERY BAD I KNOW. THEN IT WILL BE FINE FOR ANOTHER MILE OR TWO. FLUID LEVEL IS FINE, FLUID COLOR IS FINE AND DONT SMELL BURNT.

Answer 1

Micheal is absolutly right !!!! It's the torque converter clutch solenoid. Very common problem with this type of transmission. By the way.it does NOT kick the transmission into neutral and it is NOT like an overdrive !!!!! It's purpose is to create a direct mechanical connection between engine & trans........and helps to decrease heat & slightly increase fuel milege !!!!!!!!! An overdrive changes the gear ratio inside the the transmission. Hope this helps

Answer 2

Sounds like the torque converter lock up solenoid is failing. When it gets hot it won't let the converter unlock and that causes the symptoms you are describing.
The solenoid lives under the side cover of the transaxle on the left side. It should be replaced.
A short term, very short term, fix is to unplug it. If left unplugged for a long time it will cause transmission damage.
Expect to pay 4 to 6 hundred to get it fixed, depending on where you live.

Answer 3

there is a switch that kicks the overdrive out when you come to a stop and allows the trans to shift back to 1st. gear, I forget the name of it but the wires running to your trans control it and if you find the wires it leads to the switch, usually have to take the tranny pan down to get to the switch and when this switch goes bad it acts just like a standard shift car coming to a stop without the clutch being pushed in, anyhow that switch is your problem. If you unplug the wire harness to the tranny, your car will act normal again and it won't hurt the tranny at all but you will not have a lockup torque converter which acts like an overdrive.

Answer 4

Sounds like the torque converter is locking up. I'm not sure if that would be a mechanical or electronic problem. They used an electrically locking torque converter in that car to improve gas mileage. I would unplug the wire to the the tranny and see if the problem goes away. If it does, than it could be the pressure switch in the tranny, which I think is a simple fix. I'm not sure though.

Answer 5

Cavaliers are bad for (I had one to do this). There is a solenoid in the tran. that kicks the tran. into neutral when you come to a stop. Alot of times it goes bad or sticks. Take it to a reputable trans. mechanic and tell him the solenoid is bad..........be careful, some try to tell you that you have to rebuild the whole thing, you don't. All he has to do is drop the pan, pull the valve assy. and replace the solenoid................about a day and about $300. most of it is labor. PS try not to jerk it into drive anymore, that could cost a whole lot more. Everyone gave great answers...........but I had to do the hit or miss fix. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

you ought to/in all danger have a hollow on your piping and it quite is blowing the warmth out someplace else. to examine this it may require commencing up your sprint. that's that if i'm information your question top... If it quite is in basic terms blowing out chilly air... then you definately have your coolant clogged or undesirable coolant on your heater coil (a coil of piping that warm coolant runs with the aid of popping out of your engine - that's placed on your sprint as properly). yet once you're no longer getting air - probably broken air pipes. could have a rat's nest blocking off it. Your fan ought to by some potential be broken too.

Answer 7

sounds like a clogged filter try putting a new transmission filter in it. It could fix the problem.