Saturn Repair: Saturn transmission trouble, saturn transmission, full of hot air

Question
Hello Chris,
I was wondering if you could help me?
I drive a 2001 L200 Saturn (Automatic) w/ 51,500 miles and 2 weeks ago my RPM's started racing and the gears wouldn't switch, when they did it was bucking and banging into gear then it stalled. It was ok after it started back up. When the weather is hot the RPMS  race and the gears along with reverse are still bucking and banging, but I only stalled that first time 2 weeks ago. The engine sounds louder than normal when the car is being worked in the hot weather and very loud when idle before I shut it down. The manual said something about changing the transmission fluid and filter every 50,000 miles. Can you please help? Any Info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Steve from RI.  

Answer
Stephen,
 I would bet that you have some transmission problems.  First, I would have the fluid level checked (you probably don't want to try this yourself, there is no dipstick and there is a special process that you must go through to get an accurate reading).  If the fluid level is OK, you are probably looking at a problem with the valve body inside the trans, or the PCM that controls it.  This probably isn't something that can be diagnosed over the interenet, but if you'll tell me what your repair facility say I can tell you if they correct or just full of hot air.  Bottom line, I'd take it in before it causes more problems.


Chris