Transmission not shifting properly and check engine light turns on?

Hi,

It sounds like it is going into what is called limp mode. This can be the result of several different things.

Have you checked the transmission fluid level and condition? If not, start with that. It may be low or extremely dirty.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

Also, have you had the computer scanned while the light is on?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

Hi,

Are there any diagnostic codes stored in the computer? Also, who was it that told you the PCM was faulty?

Let me know.

Joe

It's not at all common for the PCM to go bad on those cars at all the most common issues with that year model Saturn. Is the pressure regulator bore wears and causes unstable line pressure in the transmission. If the line pressure solenoid failed you should get a hard shift. Since there isn't a hard shift, I would suspect the transmission is suffering from low line pressure. How did you check for codes you said there weren't any codes? If you flashed the codes out the check engine light would flash out engine codes. If memory serves correctly the transmission codes flashes out of the temperature light, I believe. It has been so many years since I flashed codes on those cars. Does the shift to D2 light ever come on the dash?

Also please look into the fluid level as Joe suggested when the fluid gets low on those cars sometimes you will get a weird whistling noise on Acceleration. Check the fluid level while idling in park with the engine at normal operating temperature.

That's how to check the codes but sounds like you know how to do that. So, did the temperature light flash twice then flash twice again before going back to check engine light flashing? The engine light was displaying a code 12 means you have no codes in the engine computer and the computer is working. Also have you checked the battery voltage at the battery while idling?

Did you check the wires by the transmission filter to make sure they weren't damaged or there wasn't any rodent damage to any of the transmission wires as well?

I worked for Saturn for over 16 years and in those over 16 years, I remember replacing one PCM on a 1995 Saturn. I remember they had a recall on the earlier Saturn's then that I think it was the 1991 and or the 1992 PCMs where we had to replace them. Other than that it was extremely rare to see a bad one. The LS2 v6 Saturn's different story it wasn't uncommon to see a bad ECM engine control module. Those cars had a separate transmission control module. If the check engine light is coming on and that's when it starts acting up. There has to be a code somewhere in the computer. Can you maybe send me a video of you checking the codes? So I can see what that temperature light is doing?

Also did you make sure the battery cables are clean and tight?

I will update response when I get the video.

Looks like I was able to attach the video you sent me. The code 11 if you had a scan tool would say transmission codes present. The transmission code 23 is a no 3rd gear code or 3rd ratio error. That can be caused by a bad 3rd gear clutch piston low line pressure in the transmission a bad 3rd solenoid. Or a electrical problem. As far as testing the solenoid wires and pcm driver is to do a transmission actuator audible test. That requires a advanced by directional scan tool. That has that special function also forgot to mention another possible cause is a bad connector bus plate for the actuators. We could start by checking the actuator with a multimeter?Do you have one of those?Also have to check it when it's acting up.