Pontiac Repair: Automatic Transmission Clunk, spped, speed transmission

Question
Hi Todd,

My girlfriends 1999 2.2L Sunfire makes a clunk or thud while jerking the car as you switch between the various modes of drive, particularly reverse and drive.  In drive, the transmission up-shifts smoothly. However, when the car is stopped, switching modes causes the noise and feel.

An additional issue with the car is on starts. Most cars, when started, rev their engine slightly for a few seconds before dropping to normal idle levels; however, her car never revs higher and rather just starts off at the normal idle level and maintains.  The car has always started, but, sometimes, it can take several second of cranking, which has me worried.

Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Rob:

well It depends on the sevarity and type of noise. With out hearing it it's hard to say for sure. Does this have a 3 spped or 4 speed transmission? If it's a 3 speed it's say YEs the noise is pretty commonn and will not hurt anything. If it's a 4 spped it's a bit odd and me need to be looked into a bit further. You could have an engine or transmission mount that is worn out causing the issue.
As for the engine idle spped it's summer time and it's hot so and increased idle spped may not be noticed when it's really hot out. Aas for long cranking time you man want to change the fuel filetr and hand the throttle body/plate cleaned on this car just ans maintence taht may help you out with the longer crank time. Good luck :)