Saturn Transmission Code Help

Hi, I have a '96 Saturn SL2, great car with no problems except this: I
have a check engine light on, had it scanned and comes up with code
P0733 (trans 3rd gear error) Does anyone know the procedure to fix
this? The tranny does shift funny out of 3rd sometimes so its a real
code. I just know where to start..thanks in advance!
Jay

 

This error probably indicts a defective 3rd gear shift solenoid. The
solenoids can be checked by measuring the resistance at the top after
removing the connector. This is easy to access right under the air breather
tube. As I recall, resistance should be between 4 and 6 ohms on all of the
solenoids. If you find a bad one it will measure differently. There are
only 2 connections per solenoid and each pair are adjacent to each other on
the connector. For what it is worth, solenoids are replaceable parts and
are sold at the dealer parts counter. If you open up the trans cover (not
needed to make the resistance measurement) then you will also need to
replace the cover gasket at that time too.

By the way, the worst part of this job is scraping the old gasket off and
keeping the debris from falling into the transmission... this is the only
drawback I have found to having the cover access on the top side of the TAAT
transmission. Good luck and hope this info helps. If all solenoids are
good, then clean the connector or wait for whatever is intermittent (speed
sensor, solenoid, CPU, etc.) to fail permanently to make it easier to
diagnose.

Bob