Hi guys,
I have a 2007 G5 2.2 liter with automatic transmission, no check engine light.
It has about 160k miles on it. Recently on the interstate in top gear, it seemed to go into neutral.
When accelerating, it goes through the first gears fine, but when it reaches top gear it seems to go into neutral and the engine just revs.
I did add some transmission fluid, but it still didn't help. Going to actually measure the fluid level today.
Being the car is old with high mileage, trying to decide if the thing is basically scrap, or if there are some things I could check.
Also, I know the car really isn't worth getting a new transmission put in, but I am generally a DIY'er when it comes to car repairs. The most involved thing I've done on this car is a timing chain and water pump swap. Think a trans swap on this car is too difficult for the DIY person?
I figure I can get a salvage transmission for a few hundred bucks, and give it a go. Worst case, I'm out a few hundred bucks, and I scrap the car. Best case, I replace the car, get some more useful mileage out of it, and learn something new.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any info!
Not much doubt the trans is toast. It's really not worth having a shop repair it, but a DIY transmission swap is certainly doable. It can be a lot of work on a front-drive car depending on how much has to be disassembled. I've done it and had success but obviously a used transmission is going to be a gamble.
Okay, just wanted to post a follow up to help others if they run into this situation.
I finally got into the transmission to check the solenoids. One of the shift solenoids was indeed fried. The good one tested at about 20 ohms, and did switch with 12VDC applied. The other however, tested at about 4 ohms, and did not switch with 12VDC applied. Also, the case was melted considerably, deforming part of the connector as well.
Just wanted to let people know that you MIGHT NOT get a check engine light / fault code with a failed solenoid, as I did not.
Also, to clarify my "symptoms". The transmission would shift great from 1st to 2nd gear, but when it tried to shift into 3rd, it seemed to hit a false neutral and the engine just free spun. When the car slowed down sufficiently to shift back into 2nd, it would drive again under power.
Now, I'm just waiting on the parts. I'm going to be changing both shift solenoids. Also, I dropped the oil pan, and will be replacing the filter. The fluid actually looked pretty good in there yet, and did not have any burned smell or anything like that. Also, there was a bit of dust in the bottom of the pan, guessing from normal operation of the clutches? However, there was no real metal shavings on the magnet in there either.
So, it is looking promising that my car will be back on the road for less than 100 bucks in parts, and a fair amount of moderate work. It's not terribly difficult, it just takes time.
Good luck to anyone else that may use this info!
Congrats on the diagnosis and thanks for the followup! (Sometimes it's good to be proven wrong. I think that a lot of us here, myself included, tend to assume the worst when it comes to GM products and that's not always the case.)
Thanks Chuck.
Okay, anyone know where I can get the best service manual for this? I've found a free one online, but it basically just lists steps in text. It would be great if there was one that showed more pictures of the steps.
Also, I haven't found any good videos of transaxle replacement, so I think I may be out of luck there. Unless anyone else knows of one?
You might try searching for the clutch replacement procedure on that car, or the Cobalt which should be the same, when equipped with manual transmission. That should get you at least part of the way there since the engine and trans need to be separated to get at the clutch.
Okay, I've topped off the fluid. It was pretty low, but now it is at the proper level checked with the check bolt hole.
It still doesn't have 3rd or 4th gear. I took it for a drive, and actually paid attention. It shifts from 1 to 2 smoothly, but don't have any higher gears. Seems to shift into a false neutral.
There are no trouble lights or codes, no check engine light. Could it still be a shift solenoid if there is no lights or codes?
Thanks for any further info.
Bump
No worries Chuck! Thanks for responding, and the encouragement! Hopefully my experience can help someone else.
Thanks again!