SL2 - Reverse Slam - Second Transmission

ewprotest.org: SECOND TRANSMISSION ISSUE

newprotest.org/details.pl?1457

Dec 27, 2009 - This time around, the check-engine light came on, and while driving on the ..... my dodge caravan wont go in reverse and only a few feet forward tranny shot i will go ... I have a 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L 4-speed xmission. ..... having shifting issues sometimes shifts fine other times I have to cut van off ...

No Reverse - The Chrysler Minivan Fan Club Forums

forum.chryslerminivan.net/showthread.php/19184-No-Reverse

Nov 21, 2010 - 10 posts - ‎1 author
BTW, I have driven it all summer, over 7k miles with no reverse; I just park up hill or in a drive-thru spot! ... 1992 S-10/4.3L V6/249K mi/original 4L60E ... I had a '90 Grand Caravan w/3.3 and same trans. rebuilt at 120k by AAMCO ... I've decided to drive it until the forward gears go out before I pay for a rebuild ...

10 Most Common Transmission Problems

www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/10-common-transmission-proble...

Ever notice that while driving that the car hesitates or refuses to go into gear? ... that needs to be replaced, but may sometimes point to a more severe problem. ... If the carwill not shift after engaging the clutch and trying to move the stick, take a .... This is a problem because in park a dodge dose not run the the transmission ...

Transmission May Fail Causing Slipping in First or Reverse ...

repairpal.com > Problems > Dodge > Caravan

There is a point that a machine works and a point that it stops, you need a transmission rebuild.

code p 0442 is the code for faults concerning the EVAP system
and will not show up in transmission changing gears
indications from your statement is problems in the TR sensor, VSS or TCM units
check for problem wires and connections
as for the problem of getting to park from reverse , check the adjustment of the park and neutral switch as one may have moved or be loose

Sounds like this is an automatic s-series. Sounds like you previously had a reverse slam in the car. Meaning when you put it in reverse it would delay then slam. As this gets worse it begins to untorque what is known as the input shaft nut. Eventually this nut will get so loose that you lose reverse completely.

The transmission itself is fine and does not need replacement. $1,600-$2,200 is probably not even what the car is worth. The valve body needs to be changed out with a rebuilt one and the input shaft nut needs to be replaced and torqued down properly. Both of these are easily done by any backyard mechanic. Roughly 3 hours will have your transmission shifting like new.

I rebuild Saturn valve bodies (check my ad for more information) and provide instructions on how to do the repair. It costs much less than what any shop will tell you and they'll tell you the transmission is toast...IT IS NOT!

Any questions, just let me know.

There is no 'adjustment' but you can check your linkage for security making sure nothing is loose or worn. Also check your fluid levels. If reverse is completely out and your starting to lose second you will probably need to have the transmission rebuilt or replaced.

The simple answer is that there are two loose nuts in the transmission.

The output shaft nuts are loose. The are behind a cover that you can see through the driver's side wheel well.

more than likely you will need a valve body rebuild. you are probably looking around $500+. don't let them try to sell you a transmission. you could search ebay and see if you can find a "rebuilt valve body" but make sure it is for a '00 to '02 SL2

Saturn says and I quote

there transmission fluid is not to be changed after the first change at 6000 miles.

Now I say it should be changed at every 30000 miles. If changing out the fluid doesn't work then you need to go to a transmission repair shop.

You can try to do the reverse slam fix, which is easy to do:
Reverse slam fix

If it doesn't work, your valve body is probably bad, here is how to swap it, in case you are up for the challenge:
Swapping a valve body on a saturn TAAT trans.

An other possibility is your mainshaft nut could be loose, I don't have an article up for it yet, but it's comming.
An other possibility is that you have a bad VSS (or Vehicle Speed Sensor).
In any case, your transmission is probably OK, the valve body is accessible from the top of your transmission, right under the battery tray.

Alex

I suggest you go to SaturnFans.com and type in reverse slam for automatics. Read Wolfman's cure. They also suggest changing automatic transmission fluid every 9,000 miles, not the 100,000 miles the owners manual recommends. If other gears are also affected, like second, you will have to replace and torque the input shaft nut.

The guys at SaturnFans are a great group and will walk you through if you have any probems after doing a search of previous posts.