QuestionI recently picked up a 1998 Chevy Cavalier Sedan LS with the 2.4 engine and 4 speed auto trans. The vehicle has 92,000 miles and aesthetically looks brand new. The previous owner practically gave me the car because she purchased a new vehicle and she believed the trans is gone on this car.
When I back up, or first take off with the car, it feels like a brand new car. Once it shifts to second and third, it makes a kind of grinding noise. It almost sounds like something is rubbing against something else within the trans. The noise is pretty loud, but once the car shifts to 4th, the noise is less noticable. Do you have any idea what I should be checking out?
The vehicle still shifts through all the gears so I am hoping it does not need a new trans... The check engine light comes on on occasion, but will turn off after a bit of driving... I also tried to check the trand fluid level, but it seems as though Chevy did not include a trans dipstick in their 4 speed auto transmissions in 1998...
Do you have any ideas on what may be the problem? Any help will be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Eric
AnswerFrom your description, The FIRST thing that needs to be done is to remove the bottom transmission pan and see if you can see any metal or debris in the pan and it is highly probable that the trans needs to come out and be disassembled for internal inspection.
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