A friend of mine borrowed a '95 Z71 - C1500 - 4wd
350ci engine - tranny C80 (or C60?? not sure, whats the diff?)

Problem:
Unusually low MPG - $80 fuel to drive 300 miles
tranny seems not to be going into OD. Better when cold. After thorough warmup will slip out of gear after full stop. May or may not re-engage. Can turn engine off and restart to correct sometimes.

Changed filter and fluid yesterday. Pan showed signs of wear, not sure whether it would be considered 'normal' or not. No big pieces, just dark gray sludgy stuff.

Any ideas on how to fix this quickly and inexpensively so as to get me home (300 miles away) and get the problem back to its owner?

Is the "Check Engine Light" or "Service Engine Light" on? There are codes specific to the transmission which might give you some clues as to what is wrong.

btw, the tranny is a 4L60-E. The 4L80-E is bigger and stronger.

//2000CAYkon

yeah, the codes would be nice. Don't have a scanner and the MIL is not on. Figured the light may have been disabled at some point and/or there may be some codes anyway. Know how I can read the codes w/o a scan tool?

is it OBDI or II?

yeah, the codes would be nice. Don't have a scanner and the MIL is not on. Figured the light may have been disabled at some point and/or there may be some codes anyway. Know how I can read the codes w/o a scan tool?

If you turn on the ignition (but do not start the engine), the MIL should be on unless it has been disabled.

To check for codes (assuming the light does work or is fixed), try this: http://www.troublecodes.net/GM/

It does not always work on 95 cars and trucks but it is worth a try.

//2000CAYukon

literally! Friend hired a roll back to take truck back to its owner. Thanks for the feedback. This forum is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Steve