C5 3rd gear issues with Auto trans
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
C5 3rd gear issues with Auto trans
I had a problem with my 2002 corvette coupe today. It has an automatic transmission. I went to pass someone on the highway today, so I dropped it into 3rd gear with the shifter, but the car wouldn’t accelerate. I couldn’t get the engine to rev above 3100 or 3200 rpm. I could push the gas pedal more, but it wouldn’t do anything. Today is the first time this has happened. My car has 110k miles and it’s stock other than a cold air intake. The only current issue with the car is a lifter tick, but I didn’t think that would cause the issue I had today. The check engine light came on after I had the issues, so I checked the codes, but they weren’t engine codes. They were just TPMS codes and a driver seat switch code. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. I am leaving for college in just a few weeks and would like to have the problem solved by then.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 933
Why did you manually downshift it?
Step down on the throttle enough and it should downshift itself.
Did you try this again since it did it and see if it is still doing it?
And, try just stepping down on the throttle instead of the manual downshift.
Step down on the throttle enough and it should downshift itself.
Did you try this again since it did it and see if it is still doing it?
And, try just stepping down on the throttle instead of the manual downshift.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 870
From: Nappytown MD
When is the last time the trans was serviced? Is the trans fluid at the proper level when at temp? I would check my trans level and fluid and go from there. You'll need to get the car up on a lift or jack stands.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I like to manually downshift because the car will sometimes shift into 2nd rather than 3rd when going highway speeds. I tried it twice, and it did the same thing both times.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 659
From: Pingree Grove IL
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 399
From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Since you state the engine would not rev higher than 3200 rpm with your foot in the throttle you might not be having a transmission issue. Usually when third gear clutch goes it just slips allowing the engine to rev easily. Will the engine rev to redline in other gears? That might give some additional insight into what is happening.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,453
Likes: 24,620
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 611
Likes: 74
From: Ontario
I had a problem with my 2002 corvette coupe today. It has an automatic transmission. I went to pass someone on the highway today, so I dropped it into 3rd gear with the shifter, but the car wouldn’t accelerate. I couldn’t get the engine to rev above 3100 or 3200 rpm. I could push the gas pedal more, but it wouldn’t do anything. Today is the first time this has happened. My car has 110k miles and it’s stock other than a cold air intake. The only current issue with the car is a lifter tick, but I didn’t think that would cause the issue I had today. The check engine light came on after I had the issues, so I checked the codes, but they weren’t engine codes. They were just TPMS codes and a driver seat switch code. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. I am leaving for college in just a few weeks and would like to have the problem solved by then.