1998 Cadillac Catera Logo
Posted on Jan 30, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Transmission shifting problems

I have a 1998 cadillac catera the transmission starts off very slow before it shifts into second gear

  • 2 more comments 
  • Anonymous Mar 05, 2009

    i have the same problem , hard shifting

  • Anonymous Mar 05, 2009

    In drive the car starts off extremely slow like its in a higher gear until it shifts then it drives just fine. If I put it in first and manually shift up to D then it drives along just fine.

  • tboogie7 Mar 28, 2009

    i have the same problem when i bought it it took off with an almost unnoticable slow start then it progress to a slow take off. someone told not to down shift it to 2nd. my gear shifter won't even move to first? someone please help?

  • Anonymous Mar 24, 2014

    transmission not working?

×

4 Answers

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

  • Contributor 5 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 03, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

Joined: May 31, 2009
Answers
5
Questions
1
Helped
6939
Points
11

You need to have it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible, I drive a 2000 cadillac catera and it began to have the same problems about 4 months ago but last month my sport mode button began to blink which means a transmission problem. So when i had it looked at they said my 3rd gear was almost completely burnt out and it cost $2,000 to fix. The cause was a broken piece of the transmission was failing and it had to be completely rebuilt. Good luck!!

Chris Smith

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

  • Expert 100 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 18, 2013
Chris Smith
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Joined: Oct 08, 2013
Answers
100
Questions
1
Helped
51965
Points
205

Would start by checking tranny fluid. Let run 10-20 mins. And then check while hot. If low top off. Do not overfill. If that not problem could be serious tranny probs. Lemme know if this helped

Ad

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 31 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 28, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Aug 28, 2009
Answers
31
Questions
0
Helped
16611
Points
49

The Catera transmission is designed to extend the first gear period, especially in cold weather, in order to heat the transmission fluid as quickly as possible. This is by design and not a fault. It is prudent to flush the transmission every 50,000 miles, and do a flush and filter change every 100,000 miles.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 26, 2010
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Jan 26, 2010
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
3914
Points
1

I drive a 1998 catera and mine does take off in drive i had it tested and they said the shift solenoid and mtc were messed up replaced them both and still doing the samething does anything know wat else i can do the light on the dash is still lite its like a ! wit a circle around it

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

What could be causing flashing sport mode symbol 2000 Cadillac Catera?

I wouldnt bank on this but it sounds like a shift syliniod
0helpful
1answer

I have a 98 cadillac catera and it slips right out of gearb when i have it in drive i have to shift it myself down to first and it goes fine second is also fine but when i put it in 3rd or drive gear...

You are having an ELECTRICAL or SOLENOID problem... Since Manually you are able to get the gears to work properly, then I would be looking at the Electronics and / or the Shift Solenoids (Solenoids FIRST).
1helpful
1answer

98 catera transmission module or location.tranny is stuck on second gear and it wont shift.

Usually located on the transmission. There is also one for reverse lights.........Hope this helps.
0helpful
1answer

How much does it cost to get a speedometer fixed.?

i have a a cadillac catera 1998. it goes in reverse and first gear but wont shift out of first gear.
0helpful
2answers

I HAVE A 1998 CADILLAC CATERA V6 AUTOMATIC ENGINE DIES IN DRIVE

Yes, most likely a fault in the auto transmission, and the car has shut itself off to prevent further damage.
4helpful
1answer

When i start my car and press the brake to shift out of park it sticks and wont move. i have and automatic 1998 cadilac catera

HI, there is a solenoid(switch) that's located in shift linkage housing that works in conjunctions with the brake pedal when you shift from park to reverse or drive. this is a safety situation.

Sometimes, this solenoid(switch) can malfunction or die. In this case, it will prevent the gear shift lever from moving into the reverse or parked position. Simply replacing this shift lever solenoid will fix this issue. You can expose the solenoid by disassembling the shift stick housing,

Please rate and have a great day:)
0helpful
2answers

I have a 1997 Cadillac Catera that is having shifting problems. It slips between first and second gear when I accelerate hard. The light on the dash has come on. It also chatters when in first and second...

It may help to change the transmission fluid and the filter. I'd definitely baby the tranny until you can figure out the problem.

Smell the transmission fluid for burnt smell and discoloration, it is a sign of trouble.

You may want to start shopping around for transmission shops.

Good luck!

Tim


2helpful
1answer

Warning lights on dash, not sure what they mean

IDK about your car. But, the button on the gear shft is a turbo button. A S should illuminate on the dashboard. Mmmm makes the car go super fast!!! LOVE IT. and the next to my gear shift is a button of a Snow flake, I believe its for traction control. I could be wrong. I have a '99 Cadillac catera
0helpful
1answer

Transmission slow to go into first gear unless auto is warmed up

change fluid & filter. no dipstick, sealed tranny. can remove both pans from underneath to access filter.

It is a GM 4L30E trans. used on Isuzu Rodeo and Cadillac Catera. BMW, in their inifinite wisdom, markets it as lifetime fluid. The second biggest bunch of **** advertising that ever was. Heat and friction will wear out ANY fluid!

BTW, it will delay shifting into highest gear when cold. this is normal
0helpful
1answer

1998 cadillac catera transmssion

if the trans wont shift from first to second the problem is elect. shift control gear selector.
Not finding what you are looking for?

3,924 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Cadillac Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Sean Wright
Sean Wright

Level 3 Expert

2045 Answers

Are you a Cadillac Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...