94 Rodeo Auto Trans

Hi, I have a 94 v6 4x4 (195k) with an auto trans. When the engine warms up it slips now in all gears. I have gotten repair shop opinions all over the map --- mostly 'get a rebuilt'. But last week the local independant trans shop said 'its a GM 30 transmission - have you changed the 2 filters'?

Well, the dealear and my Haynes manual say it does not have a filter --- only a screen.

Question: Is it infact a GM (Hydramatic) transmission and does it have filters? If it a Hydramatic --- a rebuilt should be cheap - not the $1800 to 3400 being quoted.

Hi, I have a 94 v6 4x4 (195k) with an auto trans. When the engine warms up it slips now in all gears. I have gotten repair shop opinions all over the map --- mostly 'get a rebuilt'. But last week the local independant trans shop said 'its a GM 30 transmission - have you changed the 2 filters'?

Well, the dealear and my Haynes manual say it does not have a filter --- only a screen.

Question: Is it infact a GM (Hydramatic) transmission and does it have filters? If it a Hydramatic --- a rebuilt should be cheap - not the $1800 to 3400 being quoted.

It's a French made GM transmission model 4L30E. It has a single filter cartridge with a mesh screen. Try replacing the trans fluid if that hasn't been done yet. Ebay has rebuilt transmissions for around 900 - 1000 bucks. Here is one example :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4L30E-3-2L-2WD-4WD-Isuzu-Rodeo-Transmission_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQite mZ7989785337QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Dave, you have a GM 4L30E trans in your truck. Same trans used in the earlier cadillac cateras and some BMW 3 series. It's actually an old chevy chevette 3spd auto, modified with a 4th gear and electronics! :uhoh: Try a search for 'range' or 'mode' sensor. This sensor can cause slippage and harsh shifts if it's not sending a clean signal to the onboard computers. A sure-fire way to tell if the range sensor is acting up is if your "PRND321" lights on the dash dont line up with the floor shifter. The 4L30E has a typical rectangular pan shaped screen/filter under the main pan. It also has screens that protect the shift solenoids burried in the valve body like any other electronic AT. Typical lifespan for a well cared for 4L30E is about right where you are at- high 100Kmi range. Typical reman price installed should be around the $2K mark.
G/luck
Joel

Hi thanks for the reply --- ...do you think a clogged filter would cause sudden onset of slippage, in all gears (it started slipping first in 4th --- then all when warm) --- it happened over a three day peiod, with maybe 100 miles of moderate driving.

I ma trying to decided whether to have it towed to the local pirates or dive in to changing the filter and fluid myself (as a first step).

P.S. the shift lever and dash indicator do align. It just slips completely when it warms up.

Dave, seeing as the unit will shift when cold, you could try a partial ATF swap, drive it for a few days, see how she acts, pull the pan, change the filter, top it off with fresh ATF again and see how it goes. I'd do a pump out and refill thru the dipstick tube first. You should get around 3-4qts that way. Given the your symptoms and mileage, it's probably toast.
G/luck
Joel