Ok, I gotta 99 Neon and I just recently started having problems with the transmission (I think.....). Basically what it's doing is shifting erratically between 1, 2, and 3 and into neutral. The problems started Thursday night, as I was coming to a stop, it started vibrating really bad (I guess the best way to describe it as like driving a manual and you are stopping in a high gear type of vibration) and then at take of it goes ok until about 30 miles an hour and starts its erratic shifting between gears. The fluid level is fine and is relatively fresh (i.e. no metal shaving or burned fluid). Is this a vacuum problem, a computer problem, or an internal transmission problem? Has anyone else had this problem? I tried looking for vacuum hoses and the Hayes Manual is absolutely no help whatsoever. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Hello...Yeah, my 98 Neon with an automatic has being doing this as well since I got it. Mine though only does it when its colder outside, probably below 40-45 degrees. The crazy thing is that it still does it after the car has warmed up to normal temps. Ive been told it might just be the viscosity of the fluid I use. Havent had time to change it though to confirm that. I will keep you posted if I hear anything else. Good Luck!

 

It's a place to start.....thanks!

 

wat do you mean it erratically switches gears? does it just kick in?

 

mine won't shift into overdrive sometimes

 

Well, after about 30 miles an hour, it will randomly shift between 1, 2, 3, and neutral.......in no particular order. Sometimes it will drop into 3 at 30 mph and drop back into 2 or 1 at 40 or 50 mph. It is totally random with its shifting. It also does it when slowing down, all totally random. There is no kicking to it whatsoever.....no bucking. It just smoothly shifts at random between geard and neutral.

 

thats weird...smoothly shifting into neutral...i take it you know this because you hit the gas and nothing but rev'ing accurs??

 

Just do a transmission flush. Ask for it at your nearest auto place. Thats what I did. I did the flush and changed the filter, but I also used LUCAS(1 qt) + transmission oil. The LUCAS is real thick like syrup. I did all that and now my car shifts great!! Even redlined it a couple times. And yes, I have and automatic (for now).

See if doing this helps

 

Correct......hit gas, no go when in neutral. Then after a second or two it'll go into another gear.

 

Thanks hnda8r! I will try this this weekend!