Help I have a transmission problem?

Might look underneath the car for a disconnected plug on the transmission. It may be that when the oil was changed someone accidentally knocked a plug connection off. This transmission may have computer connection and without it, it may cause your problem. It is worth a look anyway to be sure. And may save you some major headache and cash.

Check your transmission fluid level. It was very common for maintenance techs on those Saturns to mistakenly drain the transmission, rather than the engine, when doing an oil change. The reason for that is a mix of inexperience, as well as ,when you are under that car and looking up at the engine and transmission, your transmission takes a filter that looks exactly like an oil filter. I have seen many many general service techs see the filter on the transmission side and assume that is the engine, and pull the drainplug on the transmission. The oil filter is actually hidden above the drive axle, and is rather small. It is most likely, someone pulled the wrong drainplug, and rather than fess up, they put the plug back in and sent you on your way. If this is not the case, AAMCO starts at about 1783.00 for a base overhaul, and from there, depends on what hard parts have to be replaced. Usually ends up around 2500.00 with a 3 year/50k warranty. I would check the transmission fluid level before driving it, and also call the shop that changed your oil. I think your problem will be fixed with a few quarts of transmission fluid.

Sounds like a slipping transmission. When you check your transmission fluid level smell the dip stick. If the fluid smells burnt then this is probably your problem...

You have a burnt out shift band. You'll have to replace the shift band, and while you're at it you'll probably want to install a rebuild kit - new clutch plates and gaskets etc. A pretty expensive job, probably around $1000.

Before you go and get it rebuilt, double check that your transmission fluid is clean and at the proper full level. Your engine should be running when you check your transmission fluid; some transmissions require you to be in park, others in neutral when you check the fluid level. Make sure the fluid is a bright and clear pink color and doesn't have any metal flakes or dirt or other particulates in it. If it does seem dark or have stuff in it or smells burnt, you might try getting a transmission flush. This shouldn't cost more than $100 and may clear up your problem. Otherwise you're probably in for the rebuild.

Most decent tranny shops will do a free test drive to see what your problem is before they'll give you a quote on service. Some will also top off your fluid level for free too. Chances are you'll be OK driving it for a while so long as you don't shift too hard or too fast from reverse into drive, this can actually break the internal gears in your transmission. Depending on how much you've invested in the car and how long you plan to keep it, you might just drive it until the transmission dies completely. I drove my last car for 3 years with a burnt out shift band and a fluid leak - I had no 2nd gear and shifted from 1st straight into 3rd. It still drove when I traded it in on my new car. Of course I only paid $300 for it, so it wasn't worth trying to fix.

:edit:

Another thing I just thought of - there ARE different types of transmission fluids, and they are not all compatible with each other and don't all work in all transmissions. If they topped off your tranny fluid with a different kind of transmission fluid than what you already had in it, that can cause some serious problems - but SHOULD be fixable with a good full service flush (not just a fluid replacement, but a complete flush of the transmission).

I don't see anything in your comments that points at the transmission other than for some reason you got that in your head. Get your fuel filter changed and ask the mechanic if you can watch him do it. The fuel filter is cheap but you are going to pay for a minimum one hour shop time $50 - $70. As for the fuel gauge, the only thing wrong is you expecting it to work with a couple gallons in the tank. They are set to have a couple gallons left when it reads near empty. That's when you sucked up a bunch of crap, plugged the filter and killed the engine. Transmissions don't like dead engines when they are in gear, so they start talking. I say ask to watch the fuel filter change because after this you can do it yourself. Lesson 1: Watch how the wrenches are applied so the fuel line is not twisted. Lesson 2: Watch how the mechanic handles the spillage of gas when it is removed. Lesson 3: Ask the mechanic to show you all the crap you sucked up driving on empty.

Hi. We have a 2002 Saturn SL2. We have the same problem. Your check engine code will surely come up as no first gear problem. The computer knows that it isn't going forward in first gear. When this happens, don't rev the engine so that it bangs hard when it goes in gear. If you just wait, then you won't break anything. The problem is either the oil pump seal or the first gear sprag. Usually the seal is bad. usually rebuild is the most common thing since it has quite a few miles.

It COULD be a linkage problem if they messed it up somehow.

Have someone check the linkage from the handle to the tranny and you might want to service the transmission for good measure if it has been a while.

meaning just change the fluid, filter, gasket, and I don't know if that car would need to change the modulator or not they usually cost more.

that Service without the modulator is like $50 - $70 maybe more, should be less.

If you have more severe damage it get expensive quick.

$200 and up

one thing when changing gears the car should be at a complete stop ( from reverse to drive) if you don't this will damage your tranmission. sounds to me like the transmission has already been damaged.the bands or ports sound to me to be damaged.if you have to replace your transmission you have a few options.don't buy a new transmission,go with a rebuilt or a used one

If it's very expensive, get a second opinion. I've heard some bad things about AAMCO.

first check the fluid level in the transmission, if you don't know Howe ,ask someone to show you,this can happen if fluid level is low,if this is not the problem take it to a dealer unless you know someone who will recommend a local mechanic

which oil changed motor or transmission? if transmission, was it adjusted too? if so, he might have got it wrong, and he needs to get it right. engine check light-could be bad wiring, or not reset properly.