8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
80,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
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problem #2

Jun 012009

Spectra GS 4-cyl. 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

I have had a real difficulty shifting between gears. Shifter has been slow to move or won't move at all. I recently found a temporary solution that should do the trick until you can get the vehicle in to be serviced.

It appears the problem is a bad shift solenoid. There is supposed to be an electronic message from the back to the shifter letting it know the brake pedal has been pressed so the car will shift into gear. If this message isn't getting through, the transmission won't let the shifter move out of park.

By doing some internet research, I was able to get the car out of park and the gear shifter moving freely again. I took a long Phillips head screwdriver and inserted it into a hole to the right of the shifter. The hole is covered by a small circular piece of plastic. Once in the hole, the screwdriver manually depressed the park gear on the shifter, allowing it to move easily.

- Clyde I., Shakopee, MN, US

problem #1

Mar 032006

(reported on)

Spectra

  • 45,000 miles

won't go in drive or reverse. it wont move! has fluids in. like transmission fluids and all others! its a foreign car! what can i say!

- Doug M., Marion, OH, US