My 98’Saturn won’t shift out of 2nd gear. Could it be a shift solenoid for 3rd & 4th?
My 98'Saturn won't shift out of 2nd gear! Could it be that the 3rd & 4th sylanoid is out? If not, what could my problem be not making it shift into higher gear?
My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Are there any lights on; check engine, transmission, etc.? A code retrieval may be helpful if there are any codes stored. Codes/data could lead a qualified technician in the right direction of diagnosis as this could be a shift solenoid, a shift valve, valve body, or even a turbine speed sensor circuit fault. When transmission problems like this arise always check the basics first; fluid level and condition, engine and transmission mounts, battery condition, ground points, and warning lights. A faulty battery may look ok, but a failed cell or low state of health is all it takes to vary the supply of voltage to the solenoids and sensors and create a host of problems. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with a car does not shift past second gear inspection.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
This is often times a sign of low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears.
The throttle cables need checking. As we have mentioned earlier that changing the transmission fluid alone solves many transmission-related issues. But, if you change this transmission fluid and your auto transmission still won`t shift into the third gear, the throttle cables are the next suspect.
“Stuck in second gear” is a phrase that is often used to describe a situation in which someone is unable to move forward.
A transmission may stay in first gear due to low transmission fluid, a faulty shift solenoid, a worn clutch (for manual transmissions), a malfunctioning transmission control module, or broken transmission bands. These issues can prevent proper gear shifting and result in the vehicle being stuck in first gear.
Shift solenoid B allows the transmission to shift between 2nd and 3rd gear. When the powertrain control module (PCM) records code P0758, it indicates that the PCM is unable to detect the proper change in engine speed or increase in ground speed that should occur during a 2nd to 3rd gear shift.
Turn off your vehicle`s ignition and wait patiently for 5 to 10 seconds. Start the engine and allow it to idle for several seconds. Switch off the ignition and wait patiently for another 30 to 40 seconds. Repeat these steps 2 to 3 times in order to reset your vehicle`s transmission control module.
Malfunctioning Brake Light Switch
The brake light switch is the main culprit for your gearshift being stuck in the mode. It`s a small sensor located on the brake pedal that prevents the car from starting if the brake pedal isn`t depressed.
Your manual transmission gears see a lot of use and over time, they will begin to wear down. The normal wear and tear can cause sticking of the gearshift as the gears fail to engage. This does tend to happen more often with the first two gears because they are the ones that are shifted to and from most often.
Transmission Shift Solenoid Location
The Transmission shift solenoids are located inside the valve body of your automatic transmission. They are integrated into the valve body, and on some car models, you can see them without removing the valve body, while on others, you have to remove the valve body to reach them.
If your car has an automatic transmission, the shift solenoid will shift the gears for you. The transmission control unit will take the information from the engine and speed sensors along with other parts of your vehicle to then decide when to shift gears for power and fuel efficiency.
But a blown fuse No. 38 becomes a likely candidate causing a loss of power to the transmission solenoids.
Over time, dirt, debris and other tiny particles can accumulate in the transmission fluid, affecting its fluid properties. This can cause the vehicle to die when you shift into drive or reverse, allow a loss of power, transmission slip, rough shifts or even prevent the vehicle from shifting into gear at all.
The most common cause of a stuck solenoid is the failure to replace your transmission fluid when you should. Over time, small bits of metal and other debris will get into the fluid (if you`ve ever seen black transmission fluid, this is what causes it). And this is what leads a solenoid to become blocked.
The most common cause of a stuck solenoid is the failure to replace your transmission fluid when you should. Over time, small bits of metal and other debris will get into the fluid (if you`ve ever seen black transmission fluid, this is what causes it). And this is what leads a solenoid to become blocked.
A stuck shifter can be resolved most of the time by simply jiggling it back and forth until the gears shift again. However, some underlying causes may require more extensive repairs or replacement parts, and if you don`t diagnose and deal with them immediately, they could lead to severe problems.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My 98’Saturn won’t shift out of 2nd gear. Could it be a shift solenoid for 3rd & 4th?
ANSWER : Hi there. Are there any lights on; check engine, transmission, etc.? A code retrieval may be helpful if there are any codes stored. Codes/data could lead a qualified technician in the right direction of diagnosis as this could be a shift solenoid, a shift valve, valve body, or even a turbine speed sensor circuit fault. When transmission problems like this arise always check the basics first; fluid level and condition, engine and transmission mounts, battery condition, ground points, and warning lights. A faulty battery may look ok, but a failed cell or low state of health is all it takes to vary the supply of voltage to the solenoids and sensors and create a host of problems. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with a car does not shift past second gear inspection.
Won’t shift past 2nd gear . It drives normal to 2nd gear but wont shift into 3r – 2000 Ford F150 4×4
ANSWER : Hello – I don’t think this is related to switching back to 2WD per se. There is a shift position sensor on the side of the transmission, and it’s possible that the snow activity caused moisture and/or dirt to get into the sensor. I would recommend a transmission inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Loose gearbox that won’t find 2nd or 5th gear, sometimes hard to differentiate between 1st and 3rd.
ANSWER : There are a couple of possibilities. The first thing that comes to mind is of course the shifter itself. There is a nylon ball and socket joint at the base of the gearshift lever that sometimes falls apart, making the feel of the shifter very vague. Additionally, there are links to the transmission shift linkage that involve nylon bushings and joints that can fall apart. Both problems are very common on your car. The other less common possibility is that you have a bad motor mount that is allowing the transmission to move around too much when you try to shift gears. either way, it’s not a big deal to fix, and probably won’t require expensive transmission work. If you contact Your Mechanic, they can send a technician to your home or office to check out you shifting issue and let you know what repairs it will take to correct it.
My car won’t shift into 3rd, 4th, and reverse.
ANSWER : Hi there. The gears 3rd and 4th are both on the main shaft inside the transmission. Those gears have a synchronizer that connects the gears together. The reverse gear does not have a synchronizer to make the gear work. It sounds like that the reverse gear has chipped a tooth and caused the main shaft gears to grind out the synchronizer. I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to observe the issue with your transmission.
My 2000 Chevrolet Silverado will not shift into 3d & 4th gear or reverse only into 2nd gear
ANSWER : Hello. Most of the time when this occurs with this noise it is because the sun shell in the transmission broke. This is very common. The transmission would need to be rebuilt to fix it. I would recommend taking it to a transmission specialist for this.
I got sound when I shift to 3rd gear and it’s get hard to put shift to second gear when car is in 3rd gear.
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds as though the synchronizers in the transmission, which are used to adjust transmission internal gear speed when upshifting or downshifting are possibly worn out or you are shifting a bit too fast. It is also possible that the clutch is not releasing fully when you press the clutch pedal. In some conditions, utilizing synthetic gear oil in the transmission can help the quality of gear shifting. If the clutch is not fully releasing an inspection of the clutch hydraulics is a good idea. I would recommend having an inspection of the hard shift completed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost for repairs.
My car is trying to stall when shifting gears.
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a faulty MAP sensor as your vehicle seems to respond adversely to varying loads being placed on the motor which is what the MAP sensor is designed to do. The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor senses engine load and generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The engine computer then uses this information to adjust ignition timing and fuel enrichment. When the engine is working hard, intake vacuum drops as the throttle opens wide. The engine takes in more air, which requires more fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in balance. When the computer reads a heavy load signal from the [MAP sensor]((https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/manifold-absolute-pressure-sensor-map-sensor-replacement), it adjusts the fuel mixture to slightly more rich than normal so the engine can produce more power. The computer will then retard (back off) ignition timing slightly to prevent detonation that can damage the engine and decrease performance. This may also be caused by other closely related components such as a dirty or failing mass air-flow sensor, a faulty throttle position sensor or potentially a vacuum leak. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
It sounds like you may have a faulty MAP sensor as your vehicle seems to respond adversely to varying loads being placed on the motor which is what the MAP sensor is designed to do. The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor senses engine load and generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The engine computer then uses this information to adjust ignition timing and fuel enrichment. When the engine is working hard, intake vacuum drops as the throttle opens wide. The engine takes in more air, which requires more fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in balance. When the computer reads a heavy load signal from the [MAP sensor]((https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/manifold-absolute-pressure-sensor-map-sensor-replacement), it adjusts the fuel mixture to slightly more rich than normal so the engine can produce more power. The computer will then retard (back off) ignition timing slightly to prevent detonation that can damage the engine and decrease performance. This may also be caused by other closely related components such as a dirty or failing mass air-flow sensor, a faulty throttle position sensor or potentially a vacuum leak. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Experiencing a "rough shift" from 2nd to 3rd gear
ANSWER : This kind of reaction is often a sign of low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car’s computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the correct gear. When this is faulty or not working properly, this can cause a delay in gear shifting or in some cases cause the car to not shift at all. This type of problem is amplified any time the transmission is low on fluid creating a drop in hydraulic pressure. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
