# Transmission problems at low speed

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-problems-at-low-speed/35701>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** prizm, chevrolet\
**Created:** [August 28, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-problems-at-low-speed/35701 "2009-08-28T15:46:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nhornung85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nhornung85](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nhornung85)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-problems-at-low-speed/35701/1 "2009-08-28T15:46:11Z")

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I have a 1998 Chevy Prizm with 144,000 miles that I just bought used. Yesterday I noticed that when I accelerate up to about 25-30 mph, the (automatic) transmission revs really high before finally shifting. It does not seem to have any problems once I get going faster. The check engine light is on, but the fluid level looks okay and there are no leaks that I can see. Does this sound like something that will be a relatively easy fix, or should I brace myself for something big and expensive?

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**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-problems-at-low-speed/35701/2 "2009-08-28T19:07:25Z")

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First things first. Go get the codes read. The problem with your transmission shifting could be transmission related or could be engine related, like a TPS for example. We could guess all day long but our answer just might be there with the check engine light.

transman