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No second gear

J

jrmac88

New member
When my car is in drive it will rev to where it normally hits second, and then hits a kind of false neutral. If I come to a stop and start again it's back in first and will do the same thing. in 3,2,1 it just stays in first doesn't try to shift. Fluid was on the low side so I topped it off but that didn't change anything. Checking it when not running vs not running the fluid level drops so I think the pump is working? A few months back it totally stopped working so I changed the filter and it was fine after that. I did notice some metal bits stuck to the magnet on the pan but didn't think much of it, I was just happy to leave that parking lot. Thread from when that happened: http://www.grandprixforums.net/showthread.php?t=81278
Google told me its some sort of pressure solenoid? I found a thread with a similar problem but I don't know how he resolved it. I'm going to be out of town all weekend but I should have time to check for codes and fiddle around a bit on monday. hoping I don't need to replace it.
2002 grand prix 3.8 na.
 


You mentioned you checked it when running and not running. You added fluid to the proper level while running, right?
When you say you changed the filter, I hope that means you put new fluid in it too.
How big are these metal pieces you found? There shouldn't be any metal, just a mud looking substance that is clutch material.
 
I checked the fluid while idling in park with the engine hot, slowly filled to the top mark which was about 400ml.
No chunks or flakes just fine particles stuck to the magnet. I assumed this was normal(ish)
No it doesn't shift in 1, 2, or 3, but it stays in gear. When it hit the false neutral in drive I put it in 3 and 2 and could hear it thunk back into gear. Starting from stop in 1/2/3 it stays in first and doesn't hit the false neutral.
 
That's really strange, I don't think I've seen another story like it on the forums. No codes or noises other than a thunk?
 


Your second clutch is out. Without the second clutch the trans will stay in 1st when shifted to 2nd and get a nuetral condition in 3rd. Hard to say the reason the clutch would be out without inspecting it a bit but the second clutch housings have been known to have issues.

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Ok small update. Took it to auto zone to read codes just now on my lunch break. got p1811. I think it's unlikely the filter is already clogged again, but hey atleast I've got something to search the forums with now. I think I'll do some reading and check my electrical connections. Seems like people with this code have delayed shifts not a total lack of shifting so who knows maybe I'll get lucky. I hadn't driven the car in a week, noticed a whirring/winding noise that I must've been used to. hopefully not a pump starving for fluid/burnt out.
 
That code sets when shift times are too long, or maybe because it didn't shift at all. It doesn't steer you in any direction as to why you don't have 2nd gear. Like Daheazle said, there may be something with your second clutch assembly or pressure is not getting to it.
 


I have an issue with my transmission in that it also will not shift out of first and it does skip 2 even when manually shifting. I do get the engine light on and the code does tell me that I have a bad shift solenoid B which when I looked this up the symptoms match. My question to all is - can the solenoids A & B be change without having to drop the transmission?
 
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