I have a 2004 Cavalier, 2.2l ecotec, 4dr, Automatic transmission. The vehicle has approx. 127k miles. When the drive train is cold, the transmission shifts just fine. After about 5-10 minutes of driving, when the drive train is warm, 1st and 2nd shifts are fine but when the vehicle reaches about 30 mph, it shifts into 4th, skipping 3rd completely. The engine RPM drops and there is a lack of power as the engine is now out of the "power band" and acceleration is weak. If I massage the accelerator just right, I can get it to shift back into 3rd gear. I "feel" a total of 5 shifts in this transmission when it is shifting correctly. The transmission has done this since I got the vehicle, at about 70k miles. I did a filter and fluid service on it at 110k miles, and no change at all. I did check the plug on the passenger side of the case for proper fluid level. No burnt fluid or debris in pan. The CEL lamp never comes on, although the bulb is good and turns on during self-test when starting the car. No stored codes. If it weren't for this skipping of 3rd shift, you would think there was nothing wrong with it. I'm unable to find anything related to this problem on the net.... maybe someone can offer some insight on this? I have rebuilt transmissions before, but I have not been inside one of these... yet.
how do you feel 5 shifts when its a 4 speed?
Yes, I know, it is only a 4 speed tranny.... I am assuming the fifth "shift" I feel is the lock up converter. I say I feel 5 "shifts" because I feel five distinct changes before reaching cruising speed.
Pull the dipstick if the fluid isnt black or smell burnt i would not worry about it. Keep in mind as these cars get older the kind of develop things in different temps. With 127 000 miles and its 6 years old which 80 years old in econobox years. I wouldnt loose sleep over it. My pontiac is 6 years old with 29000 thousand miles and the trans seems to shift funny when its cold. My old Buick Regal likes to start up in diferent ways some times it will start on the first crank of the starter, some times its takes a secound or two. keep in mind the buick is 26 years old
There is no dip stick, and you can feel five shifts. The last is the Torque converter locking up.
I bet one of the solenoids are bad. Has the car even been tuned?
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