2000 GA 2.4L 165k miles, transmission is slamming into gear. I have no way of checking the fluid but I slowly added 2 quarts checking the shifting often. After 2 quarts its still doing it. If adding the quarts had fixed it I was gonna go do a drain and fill and not actually drive it around.


Any ideas what the problem is? It shifts hard while driving aswell. I am gonna call some shops tomorrow.

EDIT:Odd I reset the system by disconnecting the battery for an while because the trac off light was on. After connecting the battery back and the light is off it seems to be doing fine. No idea what went on. Maybe took a while to get the fluid through the system? Going to the shop tomorrow to do a drain and fill.

Well it is very bad to over fill the trans. The way to check the trans fluid level is get the trans up to normal operating temperature. I am not sure but with the car in neutral remove the trans dip stick and make sure the level is at the proper place on the dip stick. When you have determined that the level is good, place several drops from the dip stick on a paper towel. It should be a nice red color, if it has a bad oder the fluid is burned. I would run some seafoam in the trans then change the filter and pan gasket if needed.

If your trac off light was on, something malfunctioned in the traction control system to cause the light. If it happens again i would get the computer scanned with an ABS capable tool just to make sure you aren't getting hidden trouble codes within the brake system.

On the trans fluid, you don't want to overfill like stated by doctorhardware. ON the 99+ grand ams there is no dip stick to check the fluid. You have to park the car on level ground climb under the car and remove a level check bolt. There should be a how to in the Tips and Maintanence section of this forum.

my '99 will do this about once a year. It usually corrects itself the next time I start the engine.

That is one thing that I did not know, that 99 and up do not have dip sticks. Well I guess anything to save a buck.