Intermittent No Movement in Drive or Reverse with or without Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0841, P1758 and/or P1882 (Replace VT25E Case Cover Assem, Torque Converter and Oil Cooler Lines, If Nec.)

Some customers may comment on the vehicle not moving in the "D" (Drive) or "R" (Reverse) gear selection positions. In many cases, the transaxle will also produce an audible grind or whine noise when attempting to operate the vehicle in drive or reverse. The Service Engine Soon (SES) telltale may be illuminated with DTCs P0841, P1758, or P1882 recorded.

In many cases, the condition is intermittent and is not easily duplicated by the retailer.

The condition may be caused by an internal fluid leak allowing excessive belt slip at the sheaves or forward clutch due to low pressure. As a result of low internal transaxle pressure, the torque converter and turbine shaft seals can overheat due to low converter feed pressure.

Replace VT25E transaxle case cover, torque converter and oil cooler lines, if necessary.

1. Drain transmission fluid. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Transmission Fluid Replacement procedure (2003-2004 ION SI Document ID #881890, 2003-2005 VUE SI Document ID #1194852).
2. Remove VT25E Transaxle Assembly. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Transmission Replacement procedure (2003 -2004 ION SI Document ID# 873048, 2003 VUE SI Document ID #1194864, 2004-2005 VUE SI Document ID #1344382).
3. Replace Transaxle Case Cover Assembly. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Case Cover Assembly Replacement procedure (2003-2004 ION and 2003-2005 VUE Removal SI Document ID #831161, Installation SI Document ID #831210).
4. Replace Torque Converter. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Torque Converter Replacement procedure (2003-2004 ION and 2003-2005 VUE Removal SI Document ID #831155, Installation SI Document ID #831222).
5. Flush Transaxle Oil Cooler. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Automatic Transaxle Oil Cooler Flushing procedure (2003-2004 ION and 2003-2005 VUE SI Document ID #888492).

Important: Vehicles produced or equipped with prior design transaxle oil cooler lines containing the bypass valve will need to be replaced with the newer design transaxle oil cooler lines, P/N 22724408. Vehicles produced or equipped with the newer design transaxle oil cooler lines, P/N 22724408, do not have the oil bypass valve as part of the assembly and will not require replacement. The newer design oil cooler lines can be flushed at the same time as the oil cooler and re-used after proper cleaning.

6. Replace oil cooler lines. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Oil Cooler Line Replacement procedure (2003-2004 ION SI Document ID #902645, 2003-2004 VUE SI Document ID #1194858, 2005 VUE SI Document ID #14860111).
7. Install VT25E Transaxle Assembly. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Transmission Replacement procedure (2003-2004 ION SI Document ID #873048, 2003 VUE SI Document ID #1194864, 2004-2005 VUE SI Document ID #1344382).
8. Fill transmission fluid. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn Service Manual for the Transmission Fluid Replacement procedure (2003-2004 ION SI Document ID #881890, 2003-2005 VUE SI Document ID #1194852).

For VT25E Transaxle Assembly part numbers, please refer to the Saturn Parts Catalog.

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System for K7104 (Transaxle Case Cover Assembly - Replace).