Need help diagnosing Auto problem

[alm99]

My car, 1996 Saturn SL2 automatic, just started doing this vibration thing when I start moving from a stop. When you initially hit the gas the whole front end would do a low rumble(slight vibration) including through the steering wheel, but once moving it goes away. I was sitting at a light and decided to put in neutral and the vibration/low rumble stopped, but as soon as I put it into drive or reverse it comes back. As I was sitting in the parking lot at work I decided to start shifting it in and out of neutral, and it takes the car forever just to shift
and it sound horrible when it does. Any ideas...?

 

[PsychoAndy]

Check all your fluids yet? My dad's car wouldnt go into 4th cause he was low on ATF.

-PAB

 

[Pepsi90919]

sounds like a torque converter issue, check condition of transmission fluid.

 

[AnthraX101]

Well, I would say to check your fluids too. However, a rumble when you are stoped could mean your idle is too low, but that probably wouldn't affect shifting in and out of nutral though.

AnthraX101

 

[alm99]

What are the chances of this turning into something serious? If not already?

 

[StrangeRanger]

A stutter when starting out and poor shifting between D-N-R...definitely check your fluids. How many miles on the car? Have you ever had the tranny fluid and filter (don't know saturns, but most have a tranny filter) replaced? Tranny fluid is kinda like brake fluid in that yes, it does need servicing, but rarely. Depending on the vehicle it usually should be changed out between 70-90K miles.
If you fluid is ok, it could be that the "belts" in the tranny need to be adjusted. Over time auto trannys need a little tweaking. Pisser of it is, trannys are not cheap to get serviced/diagnosed. Be sure to at least check your fluid though AND READ THE MANUAL ON HOW TO DO IT! It is NOT like checking your oil.
j

 

[Evadman]

Sounds like low trans fluid level.