Pontiac Repair: 93 grans am 2.3 sluggish reverse, forward gears, forward gear

Question
QUESTION: I just bought a 93 grand am. It automatic. Runs and drives great. It shifts into reverse fine but doesn't like to actually go in reverse. It doesn't feel like it's slipping more like a struggle. So I can reverse downhill or on flat ground. But uphill won't happen. I was told it was probably be a clogged solenoid. Can this be true? What could it be and what do I have to do to fix it? Thank you in advance. I like the work you guys do here. Good stuff

ANSWER: Hi steve:

is this a 3 speed or 4 speed transmission in this? More then likley a 3 speed. if it's a 3 speed there are no solenoids for a shift. more then likley it has to come out and apart there is an internal failure of some kind. if it's slipping in revers it's only a mater of time before it quits altogether.


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QUESTION: So I payed attention and its a 4 speed automatic. Does that change anything

Answer
No not really. If you have all 4 forward gears all the solenoids in the valve body are working. if you were missing a forward gear I would say maybe you have a valve body/solenoid issue but not likely. still sounds like it has to come out and apart.