Cars & Trucks Logo
Posted on May 02, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

02 Grand Am 2.2 auto wont shift out of 1st gear

I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am SE with a 2.2L 4cyl automatic. I just had the engine replaced by my neighbor with another 2.2L from an 03 Grand Am. I drove the car a few miles after the work was done and it seemed to be missing. The check engine light also came on and the speedometer was jumping around so I brought it back to my neighbor this morning. My dad took it for a ride today and the engine runs great but it will no longer shift out of first gear. The car is at my neighbors house and he doesnt know what the problem is. Any ideas?

3 Answers

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Brigadier General:

An expert that has over 10,000 points.

  • Master 4,669 Answers
  • Posted on May 02, 2009
Anonymous
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Brigadier General:

An expert that has over 10,000 points.

Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Answers
4669
Questions
0
Helped
1847344
Points
16674

The transmission won't shift if the speedometer doesn't work. Try replacing the vehicle speed sensor.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

  • Contributor 9 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 13, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

Joined: Jul 13, 2009
Answers
9
Questions
0
Helped
5706
Points
21

Hi,

i agree with what white is saying also if you are still having a problem with it you can take it to mike's transmission service on rt 57 in ny. up the street from longly brothers. also i was wondering if you put enough fluid for the torque converter to shift.you have to check this while it is running.

Ad

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

  • Contributor 5 Answers
  • Posted on May 02, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

Joined: Oct 03, 2008
Answers
5
Questions
5
Helped
2319
Points
11

Hi:
Just a thought! I use to work on cars a lot way back and haven't for several years. Anyhow most automatics conventional and front wheel drives, if they weren't electronic, I don't think many GM's were, had a modulator valve on the exterior of the transmission body mounted on the front side down by the bottom and you can easily find it because it should have a small vaccum hose running from it. If the engine was removed chances are that vaccum hose or metal tube wasn't connected back up. That modulator valve regulates your shift patterns and makes it shift soft or hard and can control when the car shifts. If it's not connected it either won't shift or it will shift at a higher than normal shift point and it will shift extremely hard when it does. The mechanic would have certainly have had to disconnect it when he removed the engine. Fix it before you drive the car too long as you can damage the transmission with continued use and it not working.

Hope this helps
Don.
[email protected]

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Can you take an '02 alero's engine and transmission and put in an '03's body?

ask the dealer or , go there and see part for the car there
and see what transmission it is, for 2002 the move to 2003
and see if the same (gm parts)
there are 2 engines used, why post at all lacking such a key fact?
2.2L or 3.4liter, v6 is latter.and transmission vary buy engine max power torque, and more, gear counts for economy.

Oldsmobile Alero
or ask any engine rebuilder selling engine that (ever google that)
Or ask the shop doing it.
I'm there now. gm parts.
2002 , 2.4L 89059799 sku
fits all these

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base, LS, LS Sport 2.2L L4 - Gas 2002 Oldsmobile Alero GL, GLS, GX 2.2L L4 - Gas 2002 Pontiac Grand Am SE, SE1 2.2L L4 - Gas 2002 Pontiac Sunfire GT, SE 2.2L L4 - Gas 2002 Saturn L100 Base 2.2L L4 - Gas 2002 Saturn L200 Base 2.2L L4 - Gas 2002 Saturn LW200 Base 2.2L L4 - Gas
2003 there shows
89059802 , a diffr, sku!! shows fitments 03

2003 Oldsmobile Alero GL, GLS, GX 2.2L L4 - Gas 2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE, SE1 2.2L L4 - Gas 2003 Saturn L200 Base 2.2L L4 - Gas 2003 Saturn LW200 Base 2.2L L4 - Gas
that is the GM answer, others like engine builders/sellers
my say different even tell you what must be changed to do it

1 minutes work me. just reading at gm.com
1helpful
1answer

2002 pontiac grand am had 1st and 2cnd gear slippage.i replaced the filter and fluid but now i do not have 3rd and fourth gear it will just not change to the gear

Perform ODBII scan. Look for speed sensor fault. Trans has to read speed to know what gear to engage. Could also be a governor problem. Try shifting from low to high gear manually
2helpful
3answers

Transmission in chevy silverado 1500 5.3L v8 will not shift from 2-3 gear transmission has been rebuilt and 2-3 shift solenoid was changed but still will not shift from 2-3 gear

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Won't shift

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

My 2000 grand prix wont shift into overdrive

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
2answers

Car wont shift out of park

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Shifting solenoids on 2002 Lancer.

For Automatic transmission problem,click the link below:---- Automatic transmission troubleshooting:----

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html

---------
Automatic transmission shift lever issues?-------

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html

-----------
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL? --

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-check-automatic-transmission.html

--------------

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-change-automatic-transmission.html

-----------
Transmission fault light on car dash?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/transmission-fault-light-on-car-dash.html

--------
Transmission shifting problem?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/transmission-shifting-problem-on-toyota.html

--------
Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

-----------
OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

----------
Why Transmission fluid leaks near radiator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

----------
Transmission fluid leaking?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

-------------
****** wont go in reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-wont-go-in-reverse.html

-------------
Automatic transmission will not go into reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-automatic-transmission-will-not.html

----------
Transmission is making buzzing noise?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-is-making-buzzing-noise.html

-----------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

2000 Pontiac Gran Prix automatic transmission shifting slow

For Automatic transmission problem,Check the list of help links below.click the link below:----Automatic transmission troubleshooting:----

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html

---------
Automatic transmission shift lever issues?-------

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html

-----------
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL? --

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-check-automatic-transmission.html

--------------

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-change-automatic-transmission.html

-----------
Transmission fault light on car dash?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/transmission-fault-light-on-car-dash.html

--------
Transmission shifting problem?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/transmission-shifting-problem-on-toyota.html

--------
Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

-----------
OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

----------
Why Transmission fluid leaks near radiator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

----------
transmission fluid leaking?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

-------------
****** wont go in reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-wont-go-in-reverse.html

-------------
Automatic transmission will not go into reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-automatic-transmission-will-not.html

----------
Transmission is making buzzing noise?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-is-making-buzzing-noise.html

-----------

This will help.

Thanks.

3helpful
1answer

Hard Shift to 2nd Gear/next gear

Your going to have to get your car scaned for codes. Auto Zone can scan it for you for free and tell your what you'll need to fix it.
It sound's like your VSS Sensor (speed sensor) is not working and your ECM is not getting the signal from the transmission to know when to shift the gears.
Becareful not to burn out the transmission till you get it fixed. The sensor it self is not that expansive and to replace it is easy and takes about 30 min to do.
If you get a P0720 or a P0722 code, then it's your speed sensor. It's an esy fix and Auto Zone can give you instrction on how to change it. 
Good luck, it takes about 30 min to change and hope this helps.
Not finding what you are looking for?

1,637 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Pontiac Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Are you a Pontiac Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...