2000 Escalade slipping in third, works in fourth

I know its not a chevy, but it is and I thought I would get more views in the chevy forum. That being said...

Bought a 2000 Escalade with a spun main bearing. Lots of work was just done to it, including rebuilt tranny. Receipts to confirm all work done. Get a 4 bolt crate engine for a decent deal and install it. Take it to the gas station and fill it up, no problems. over the next few weeks take it out further from home. One night after about a fifteen mile trip a block from home it has a very hard 1-2 shift. No CEL. Take it home and put on the scan tool, come up with a pending p1870. I erase it and things go well for the next 50 or so miles, then same thing again. I look into it, talk to a few people, general consensus is problem with valve body. I contact rebuilder of tranny , explain what happened and surprisingly they say most likely the valve body, but since I did not have it rebuilt the warranty does not transfer. So they sell me a rebuilt valve body at a discount. While waiting for the valve body it starts noticeably slipping in third. I receive new valve body and install, same thing, noticeably slipping in third. manually shifting and no slipping in fourth at all. Third is gone completely now, but if manually shifted from second to fourth it will run in fourth. By manually shifting I mean hold it in second until speed is high enough to shift into fourth. Tranny is out and going to have it gone thgough, but I would like to know what may have caused this and if there is anything I should look for after the new rebuild.

It's possible the the Orificed cup plug in the 3-4 clutch housing was loose/leaking then it finally gave way. This would cause third gear to slip, then go away. If it's damaged or missing, you'll need to replace the 3-4 clutch housing. Something to look for at least....

The tranny rebuilder is not giving any warranty on this ? I would bring the vehicle to him and have him do the pressure testing to figure out what he screwd up.

with an old tranny like this the valve bodies should be replaced especially if this had dexron III in it.

The tranny rebuilder is not giving any warranty on this ? I would bring the vehicle to him and have him do the pressure testing to figure out what he screwd up.

with an old tranny like this the valve bodies should be replaced especially if this had dexron III in it.


As previously stated, I bought it with tranny already rebuilt. I did NOT have it rebuilt. I installed a crate 4 bolt.

I have dropped it off at a local shop already, will see what they say. I told the owner the history of the tranny so we will see how it goes. I lost my other rebuilder, and I haven't rebuilt a tranny for over 20 years so not sure how things will go. I just hope this guy is decent. A good tranny guy is hard to find and I do about 3-5 a year. I told him I did not just want it repaired I would like it completely gone through and fully remanufactured since I was willing to bet the last guy just had frictions and steels replaced.


Thanks for the responses.

As previously stated, I bought it with tranny already rebuilt. I did NOT have it rebuilt. I installed a crate 4 bolt.

I have dropped it off at a local shop already, will see what they say. I told the owner the history of the tranny so we will see how it goes. I lost my other rebuilder, and I haven't rebuilt a tranny for over 20 years so not sure how things will go. I just hope this guy is decent. A good tranny guy is hard to find and I do about 3-5 a year. I told him I did not just want it repaired I would like it completely gone through and fully remanufactured since I was willing to bet the last guy just had frictions and steels replaced.
Thanks for the responses.

Since you bought this with a transmission worked on ,how many miles with this tranny repair ?

since you know nothing about what work was done ,why it was done , then the transmission will need a new torque converter and a line flushing also .

many times these do not get this done when the shell breaks up or the clutches are worn to nothing then all that crap kills the worked tranny.

worn valve bodies with the dexron III and the shell cracks are the issue with these. driving with the low pressures then the clutches wear out and then all the debris created

Got tranny back yesterday owner of shop told me rod (maybe he said pin) for acculimater for third was missing. Went through it and remanufactured it as I asked. Gave me a year unlimited mileage warranty.

Since you bought this with a transmission worked on ,how many miles with this tranny repair ?


If you are asking how many miles the orig tranny had on it when it failed, I am not sure, I would have to check the paperwork. I also do not know how many miles it had before it started having issues when I bought it, but I picked it up 2 weeks after it was rebuilt by previous owner, so it couldn't have been to many miles.


since you know nothing about what work was done ,why it was done , then the transmission will need a new torque converter and a line flushing also .


I know that when I bought it it came with a receipt stating that tranny was rebuilt by whatever shop. When I had engine out it had a new torque converter on it and paint was fresh. Someone had it out and a new converter was installed and cases were painted at the least. Other then that, you are correct I do not know what was done or why.

Now that I have it I paid a guy to remanuacture it the right way. Even though the torque converter was new, I still bought a new one and flushed the lines and cooler, I thought that was normal procedure.


many times these do not get this done when the shell breaks up or the clutches are worn to nothing then all that crap kills the worked tranny.


I do not know if the PO had this done, I can just go by what the receipt says. I agree, you should not half ass a job. But when someone else does the job you have to take them at their word.


worn valve bodies with the dexron III and the shell cracks are the issue with these. driving with the low pressures then the clutches wear out and then all the debris created


Not quite sure what the questions here is. I do not know what tranny fluid was put in it, but I would assume it would be at least dexron IV. I can't remember the last time I saw III on a shelf anywhere. It is well known that the sun shell shatters in these also. That is why I requested the beast ( and not the cheaper china made one) on the remanufacture.

with the one year warranty you should be getting a good rebuild. the part missing is a good indication this was not done by a regular transmission shop ... on what you where told about this vehicle/transmission this is a story that is with too many people involved. If the owner did the work then you could say I should be able to believe him .. what the shop says that is another B/S line , esp.. with no warranty. after you operate this for a couple of months I would have the re builder check the tranny pressures and do a fluid change. use the dexron VI. the DEXRON III is still available BUT it is not with the GM APPROVALS/SPEC ANYMORE .. So make sure the transmission shop did not use the very much cheaper dex III.... testing reports state dexron III turns to acid IN 20K miles.