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Linkage / Transmission??? 94 SL


MMC1978
12-11-2007, 09:06 AM
Hey, I am hoping someone can give me some advice.
I just bought about a month ago a 94 Saturn SL SOHC, automatic transmission.
Been running fine, besides a slight bucking in what I thought was tranny when I would be going uphill.
Now yesterday on my way home it began to severly buck. I got it home, put it in park, looked over tires etc, put it in reverse and it did nothing as I stepped on gas, then, SLAM into reverse it went, put it in drive, nothing and then SLAM into drive it went. So, I parked it. Later my dad and I went to investigate. I let it warm, then put it into reverse to back up and it went forward, like it was half in neutral and half in drive. Then I shifted fown to neutral and it did the same. I went all the way down through the gears and back up and then it went into reverse.
Now my Dad says that seems like a linkage problem, so we go looking. Where is the linkage? There doesn't appear to be the usual linkage cable coming out of the transmission???? Now Saturns are new to me, and to my Dad. I called autozome to see if they could pull up wheter it has a electronic linkage and they got nothing, so I called saturn, which helped me zilch! THey just wanted me to bring it in to look at it, nevermind the fact that the closest saturn shop is over an hour away?!?! Christmas is coming and this sucks!! Can anyone help me out, suggestions??? advice???
Thanks so much!

Cat Fuzz
12-11-2007, 09:43 PM
Gear selection uses a cable. It's not easy to see though. It is between the firewall and transmission on the drivers side very close to the inner CV axle.

Hellboy71
12-12-2007, 10:55 AM
Don't think it's the linkage. My friend is having the same problem with his right now. We're trying to figure it out now. If you figure it out, let me know, and I'll do the same.

onesicsaturn
12-12-2007, 01:15 PM
sounds like the throttle body on the tranny is bad or perhaps the lines are clogged. I have had this happen on 3 different saturns, all different years, exactly as you have described here. Try and get it checked out soon, perhaps starting with a flush/pressure check of the lines. and dont bother going to the dealer they will just rip you off anyway

Cat Fuzz
12-12-2007, 11:54 PM
^^You meant to say VALVE body.

denisond3
12-13-2007, 04:21 PM
Do a search in this forum using the word 'slammin', and follow the advice in the link you find. Cant Hurt to try.

RC1488
01-04-2008, 06:46 PM
Hey, I am hoping someone can give me some advice.
I just bought about a month ago a 94 Saturn SL SOHC, automatic transmission.
Been running fine, besides a slight bucking in what I thought was tranny when I would be going uphill.
Now yesterday on my way home it began to severly buck. I got it home, put it in park, looked over tires etc, put it in reverse and it did nothing as I stepped on gas, then, SLAM into reverse it went, put it in drive, nothing and then SLAM into drive it went. So, I parked it. Later my dad and I went to investigate. I let it warm, then put it into reverse to back up and it went forward, like it was half in neutral and half in drive. Then I shifted fown to neutral and it did the same. I went all the way down through the gears and back up and then it went into reverse.
Now my Dad says that seems like a linkage problem, so we go looking. Where is the linkage? There doesn't appear to be the usual linkage cable coming out of the transmission???? Now Saturns are new to me, and to my Dad. I called autozome to see if they could pull up wheter it has a electronic linkage and they got nothing, so I called saturn, which helped me zilch! THey just wanted me to bring it in to look at it, nevermind the fact that the closest saturn shop is over an hour away?!?! Christmas is coming and this sucks!! Can anyone help me out, suggestions??? advice???
Thanks so much!

valve body or input shaft nut is bad. valve body's are not to bad $$ wise at least remaned ($300) but the input shaft nut is 6 bucks at the dealer. both are easy to replace and should fix your issue. if you can do an oil change you can change them. PM me for DIY instructions :)

however before you do that, put some seafoam cleaner in the tranny. back it up to a tree and let it run in reverse for about 20-30 min. then drain the fluid and change the filter. if that doesnt help help then id change the VB or nut :)

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