1997 Saturn SL2 TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GO IN REVERSE

JIM ELLIS

MEMBER
1997 SATURN SL2

Transmission problem
1997 Saturn SL2 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

PUT ENGINE AND TRANS FROM WRECKING YARD WITH 76000 MILES IN CAR. CANT GET TRANSMISSION TO BACK UP. FORWARD GEARS SEAM TO WORK OK, MAYBE A LITTLE SPONGE ON SHIFTS. DTC CODE IS PO732 [GEAR 2 RATIO INCORRECT]. TRANS WILL BACK UP ON FLAT GROUND SLOWLY IF YOU REV ENGINE. THE NEWER ENGINE /TRANS ARE ALSO 1997 COULD THIS BE A SENSOR OR WIRING PROBLEM OR IS IT AN INTERNAL DEFECT

updated 3/9/09
car pros the info you gave me was correct but a little incomplete. Here is the fix I got from the wrecking yard the engine/trans was purchased from. Remve rear cover of trans, nut on clutch pack on back of transmision was loose remove nut completely [23 mm 12point thin wall socket] clean shaft and nut threads apply red loctite retorqe nut to 111ft lbs
silicone gskt maker can be used for cover gasket but there are oil passages that could get blocked . If possible I would get new gasket and lock nut from saturn, this job can be done wile in vehicle but you mus remove 2 bolts on trans mount an lower about 3/8 inch to clear unibody frame also remove lower ball joint and pull hub to rear of car. Apparently this is a fairly common problem with with these cars hope this helps.

1 Reply

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

Going through the electrical and hydraulic schematics for your transmission, I can see nothing that would keep it from going into reverse other than a mechanicical problem ie. A clutch piston seal or damaged piston. The reverse and 2nd gear assmblies are on the same cluster which may be the cause of the code p0732. I'm assuming the fluid was clean when you installed the used unit. If the car tries to move in reverse it indicates the reverse clutch wants to close, but for some reason can't. To confirm this, I would recomend taking it in for a pressure test. Also, if it is "hard damage", there may something in the tranny pan that can give you some clues as to what's wrong. Hope this helps.