1997 k1500 will move and then not move

My 1997 K1500 will engage all gears when I first start the engine. After about 30 seconds it acts as if it's in neutral no matter where the gear selector is other than park. After it sits for about 20 minutes, I can do the same thing again. Any ideas?

Well if the fluid is full and clean, it should move, how about reverse, if no reverse, you have major internal problems.

My 1997 K1500 will engage all gears when I first start the engine. After about 30 seconds it acts as if it's in neutral no matter where the gear selector is other than park. After it sits for about 20 minutes, I can do the same thing again. Any ideas?
Well if the fluid is full and clean, it should move
First Guess: Low fluid level. Verifying the fluid level would be the first step in troubleshooting this issue.
Second Guess: Plugged trans filter. More likely if fluid is not reasonably "red" any more.

When I first start it up. It will go into any gear I select. After a minute or so it will not move anymore until I let it sit for a few minutes. The fluid looks a little dark red but not really burnt smelling. I guess fluid and filter change will be first.

After filter and fluid change I can drive it. It will go through all the gears. There was a lot of black sediment in the pan. It doesn't feel quite like it's 100 percent. If you get on it hard from a dead stop it slips a little from 1-2. After that it's fine. If you drive normal it seems to do pretty well.

After filter and fluid change I can drive it. It will go through all the gears. There was a lot of black sediment in the pan. It doesn't feel quite like it's 100 percent. If you get on it hard from a dead stop it slips a little from 1-2. After that it's fine. If you drive normal it seems to do pretty well.

I would drive it about 500miles then check the condition of the fluid again. You may wind up changing fluid/filter again. Here are two links of any "snake oil" I have used with good results. 1st link shows which product for "makes". 2nd link products page.

http://www.lifeautomotive.com/pdfs/QuickReferenceChart2007.pdf


http://www.lifeautomotive.com/products/ATfluidprotectants.asp

Thanks. I will keep up to date with results.

Thanks. I will keep up to date with results.

you have to do the fluid exchange procedure . drop pan clean replace filter fill up the tranny with 5qts of dexronVI.. then setup the radiator trans line so fluid will come out into a marked clear container .. with this set up easy with 2 persons. engine on fluid will start to flow into the container as 1 qt come out add one qt.. do this until the fluid looks new.. total amount should be about 12 qts approx.. put it all back and if its not at the proper level add or use a pump to suck out the excess fluid .

use a rubber pan gasket no cork ..

Will do. I notice now that 2nd and 4th or OD seem to not hold as strong as before. I'm wondering if the band is worn out or something more.

Put a bottle of Lucas transmission fix in it last night. I drove it to work this morning 15 miles and it will not move at all when I got here. Had to push it into parking spot. Any ideas?

I let it sit for 45 minutes and cranked it up. It will engage and move. Probably filter again. I think it's time for a rebuild. Monster in a box.

Time to stop fooling around with it, get it rebuilt or exchanged.

I agree going to pull transmission out Christmas and rebuild.

My second-cousin has a Toyota she inhereted from her mother. "Mom" said the car "didn't like the cold"; which apparently meant that the trans would not engage any gear until entirely warmed-up. Car sat for a year while waiting for a replacement starter motor. Once running again, trans would not engage any gear.

Changed filter, replaced 3 quarts of fluid. Fixed. For about a month. Then it wouldn't engage gears warm or cold.

Changed filter again, dropped the cooler tube and flushed all the old fluid. Fixed. So far, so good--it's been several months and the weather has gotten cold with no further trans problems.




"I" would change filter and ALL the fluid again...and see what happens.