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Blazler "kicks/jolts" when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear


jcattau
05-13-2010, 11:33 AM
Hey guys, I really hope someone can help me out with this problem. I have a 2000 Chevy Blazer LT 4WD 4.3L. I came home from out of town today going 65-70mph the whole way back. I got to a stoplight back here in town and starting going and noticed a slight "kick/jolt". After a few times of it happening I determined that it was when the car would shift from 1st to 2nd gear. That's the only time it did it, shifting after that was fine. I checked the tranny fluid and it looked fine to me as well as the other fluids. If you're still confused, think about when someone makes a bad shift with a manual transmission and that's essentially what it felt like. Please, any info is appreciated.

old_master
05-13-2010, 07:57 PM
Is the check engine light on?
Are there any codes in memory?
How many miles since the transmission fluid and filter were changed?
How many miles on the transmission?

Could be a sticking or binding valve in the valve body.
Could be a sticking 1-2 shift solenoid.
Could be a poor connection at the 1-2 shift solenoid.

jcattau
05-14-2010, 12:16 PM
Is the check engine light on?
Are there any codes in memory?
How many miles since the transmission fluid and filter were changed?
How many miles on the transmission?

Could be a sticking or binding valve in the valve body.
Could be a sticking 1-2 shift solenoid.
Could be a poor connection at the 1-2 shift solenoid.

No check engine.
Not sure on codes.
Not sure when they were changed, I've had it for 3 yrs and 50k miles without changing it.
118k on the transmission.

It's not doing it now for some reason.

old_master
05-14-2010, 01:42 PM
There was a TSB a few years ago, about that very same thing happening intermittently when hot on the 4L60E trans. It had to do with a valve binding in the bore of the valve body. GM has since fixed the problem, but the possibility still exists for the valve to bind if there is a build up of dirt on the valve itself, or in the bore. The tolerance is very close, so it doesn't take much.

50K is a bit much, and who knows how long it went before that! It's over due! Depending on how it's driven, (city, highway, pulling a trailer, etc) the transmission should be serviced every 36K. Changing the transmission fluid and filter takes about an hour. The filter and gasket kit is usually under $20 and it should take almost 5 quarts of DexronIII fluid. Use a torque wrench when tightening the pan bolts to prevent leaks.

djd99
05-18-2010, 10:08 PM
I had the same problem with my 97 when it got hot it would shift hard from 1st to 2nd, Replaced the valve body and the problem went away. This was a few years ago and I think the valve body was around 400 bucks.

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