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I'm starting to have this intermittent problem with my 2000 Grand Prix. Sometimes the shifting is really rough like a shift kit is in it or something. It will do this sometimes and then when I park it and start it back up the shifting returns to being really smooth again. I have never seen it rough shift and then return to smooth shifting during the same drive (without turning the engine off and restarting it). Is there some kind of electrical module or something that could be causing this rather than the transmission going bad?  

My friends grand prix just started doing this too! its a gt 2door and same year as yours. I'd like to know what it is so I can help him save money if its an easy fix I could do for him  

My question is the same as yours. I have a Chevrolet with a 4T65E tranny and experience exactly the same problem. I am looking forward to reading the replies...  

Pressure control solenoid will fix all of these cars. Unfortunatly its located under the side cover. You have to lower the sub-frame to gain enough clearance to remove the cover. From there its a simple remove and replace.  

I have the same model car and mine is doing the same exact thing except more frequently.  It is a bucking like feeling when accelerating.  I have been doing research on it and found that it is the tort converter clutch in the trany and that it is an on going problem that pontiac is having with the 2000 grand prix models. To fix it you need to put in a whole new trany which is about 1600 on up.  That is the problem that I am in now I cannot afford an new one.  To top it all off I only have about 43,000 miles on the car.  If you hear of another cheaper soloution please let me know.  

My 2000 Grand Prix SE is doing the same thing, and according to the first code that was appearing when the Service Engine Soon light went on, replacing the solenoid should have done the trick. Just 300 miles after having it out of the shop, a new tranny code started to appear.  I forget what the code was, but essentially, I started having some of the problems described above.  The car began to jerk and hesitate and didn't want to shift into the next gear very easily. Pulling over, turning off and restarting would allow me to resume driving as usual.  This happened twice in one day, followed by nearly 3 trouble-free weeks after the code was reset. Today, the car acted up once again, so I'm sure a rebuilt tranny is in my near future.  I've found many similar comments on various forums, but there doesn't seem to be any Transportation Service Bulletin's on this particular problem. Has anyone found any more info on this intermittent problem?  

The same thing is happening in my '01 Grand Prix GT. I recently bought it and of course it wasn't doing it at the time...Anywho it does it only sometimes, under different conditions, so it's impossible to pinpoint what the problem is. I've heard everything from torque converter to selenoid to the computer increasing pressure in tranny...don't know what to do bc it only does it every now and then, so it's easier to ignore. Want to bring it into a shop to diagnose, but I dont want to b ripped off! help??  

HERE IS THE TRUTH ABOUT VEHICLE SYMPTOMS....JUST BECUASE YOU HAVE SIMILAR/SAME SYMPTOMS DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THE SAME FAILURE....when it comes to shifting concerns there are so many differnt things that could cause this...anything from a VSS, TPS, PCM, Engine misfire, TCC, Shift Solenoids...without decent knowledge of the inner works of a transmission along with the electronic components you are better off to take it to the professionals

Nick
ASE Master Auto Technician, L1  
ASE Master Auto Technician, L1, ASE Certified Service Consultant, ASE Certified Parts Specialist, Chrysler Certified Service Manager/Technician

Well... guess what...
My 2000 Grand Prix SE has been doing this ever since I bought it used.  Today, it finally gave out.  Just "Clicked" as I pulled out of a parking space, then no drive what-so-ever.  Just rev'ed up as if it were in neutral.  I recommend trading yours in if it's still running with Carmax or something.  I've heard of another friend of mine having trans problems with her Grand Prix and it cost over $2500 to fix.  I'm not looking forward to being stuck with this burden, but here I am.  Get rid of it now before you're in my shoes.  

Have you replaced the transmission in your SE yet?   I have a brand new GM SRTA transmission.  I had to replace the tranny in my 2000 GT, but an error was made on the VIN# when the replacement was ordered and an SE tranny for the 3.1 engine was ordered.  I had to eat it and also pay for the correct one.  Give me the VIN# and I'll see if it will work for your car.  

Mike, listen to Nick on this one. He is absolutely right.  

I know exactly what this problem is.  You are having trouble with your shift Solenoid.  This is not a common problem with GM vehicles but it does occur.  Typically, this results from neglect or being delinquent on the maintenance intervals.  What happens is dirt and sludge builds up in the solenoid assembly and causes pressure to 'build up'.  The sensors in the transmission think you are driving under different conditions than you really are.  Consequently, the electronics misinterprets the information it is reading and induce the incorrect shift pattern or sequence in its internal algorithm.

Simple fix: get a new solenoid installed in the transmission by a GM Goodwrench dealer.  They typically warranty the work and they know what the heck they are doing.  GM transmissions, especially the 65E that is in the Grand Prix, are bullet proof.  Don't take it to AAMCO and expect the problem to go away.  GM dealers are a bit more but you DO get what you pay for.  I hope this helps.

*** I have owned lots of Grand Prixs and Buicks with that transmission and never have ever had this problem happen to me.  So, It is not a defect with the car and is more of a fluke thing than anything.  

as in a simular post If this car is equipped with a 4t65, known problem with certain codes occur, which cause harsh shifts. max shift adapt 1811 is the most common which can be caused by bad line pressure solenoid. this is not always the case. I have rebuilt these same units (before solenoid replacement became the fix)and repaired them in other ways. not all information is best found at the gm dealer or at your car manufacture's dealer, unfortunately they only teach what they want their tech's to know, the aftermarket will go beyound that realm and find ways to fix things that the dealer will feel is not the way it should be done. many companies invest  heavily in research and developement that's where they make the money to fix what the orignal manufacture wont see after the car has been is service many years down the road  

Turbo Buick:
Pressure control solenoid will fix all of these cars. Unfortunatly its located under the side cover. You have to lower the sub-frame to gain enough clearance to remove the cover. From there its a simple remove and replace.

How would one lower the sub frame? Can you be more specific?  

do you still have this traning and what are you asking for it vin#1g2wj52j1yf203776