2001 Chevy Blazer Shifting slow

73K miles on my Blazer. 4.3L, 4WD. It just started shifting slow between 1st, and 2nd Gear. 2nd, to 3rd, and 3rd to OD seems OK, but a little slower than normal. No SES light comes on. Once the engine warms up a bit(and fluid), it runs better, but still a slight pause between shifts. I have taken it to a few transmission shops. First shop test drove it, and said that it's the Band that's going out. The second shop test drove it, and put it on the computer. They said that there was a code(Generic, I forgot), and that it was the Sprague(???). Both shops tell me that my transmission needs to be rebuilt. Does this sound right to you Gurus?!

PLEASE help!!

EDIT: When I start my Truck in the morning, it has a hard time going into Reverse(Meaning, that I have to rev up the RPM's for it to engage, and go in reverse. When the enging is at normal temps, everything is acting fine, even reverse.). The fluid level is fine, and smells a little burnt(Not bad tho). I replaced the filter/ATF about 5K miles ago.

I just went to Auto Zone to see if there are ANY codes, and there is None. **Scratches Head** Anyways, I bought a filter/gasket, and ATF, and plan on changing the fluid tomorrow morning(Cheaper than a Rebuild).

Doh, missed that you already replaced it.

We need to know what that code was.

The code was like 18 something(They said). I forgot. BUT, when the guy @ Auto Zone guy hooked it up to my truck, there was no codes. So, I don't know if there was ANY codes to begin with..

The last shop(3rd Shop I went to. They didn't test drive it, or hook it up. I just went there for info.) said that it couldn't be the Sprague, cause if it was, that I would have to Manually shift it(Where if I put it in "D"rive, it wouldn't shift). It shifts while it's in Drive. I personally think I'm getting the runnaround here.

Seeing the tranny is computer controlled, do me a favor and pull the negative battery cable for the night and reconnect it in the morning and take it for a test drive.

Already did that before the second tranny shop. I wanted to give the Computer a Fresh start. Didn't help. Tomorrow after I change the ATF fluid, I'll post my results here, and hopefully(Fingers Crossed) it was a clogged Filter.

Thank you very much for your help in the troubleshoot of my problem, BlazerLT. Nice Ride BTW. :) I'm running a K&N Filter for my Blazer. I wanted to get the FIPK, but didn't have the funds at the moment, so I just got the filter. I KNOW I can get a few extra horses without all of the bends and all with the FIPK.

OH, have you seen this?! I stumbled upon it while trying to get some hints on my problem. This "Super Chip" can boost the HP +14, AND +18ft/lb Torque for the Blazers! :iceslolan

http://www.missgrizz.com/products/superchips.php

You want a good cheap intake, check out this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7949055463&category=38634

OK. Problem Solved!! When I took down the tranny pan, the filter was on the bottom of the pan! :eek: So, I did the normal routine of changing the oil, etc, and put fluid back in, and VIOLA! My Truck Runs Beautifully again.

I had a feeling when I went to Auto Zone and had them hook it up to the diagnostic machine to check codes, and found none made me suspicious. I'm glad that I went the $35.00 route, vs. the $1,600 one.

One thing that I did find out, is that my filter pan is not bolted to the tranny itself, like my Fiance's Durango. Next ATF change, I will rig something up to keep that from happening again.

For the time being, I'm going to chill on the 4X4'ing..:iceslolan

What are you talking about it is not bolted to the tranny itself?

Nope! The Filter is NOT bolted to the tranny at all. It just hangs by the tube going up to the tranny. The Next time I do a change, I'm going to rig something up to where it has a less-likely chance of it falling down.

There is something there already, its a little pressure fitting ring. You have to make sure you take the old one out, and install the new seal ring and have it seated in the case properly, with the new filter. If it isn't it will make its way out along with the filter. If you drive it that way too long, the transmission will slip because of lack of apply pressure and then your in trouble.

Yes, I know about the Ring that you change out. Other than that, there's nothing else holding the filter up.

Yes, I know about the Ring that you change out. Other than that, there's nothing else holding the filter up.

Don't start ghetto rigging your transmission.

With it properly installed it will never fall out. This is not the fault of the design, it is the fault of the monkey that improperly installed it.

Don't start ghetto rigging your transmission.

With it properly installed it will never fall out. This is not the fault of the design, it is the fault of the monkey that improperly installed it.
I Beg your Pardon?! :eek7: From what I have been told, is that the pan should hold up the filter in the first place. How/Why, I dunno it fell out. The only thing that I can think of is when I went 4X4'ing in the mountains.

Have a Great Day, BlazerLT. Anywho, tread lightly on when you criticize people. It just might one day, bite you in the Rear!! :loser:

That "Monkey" you speak of was ME. I changed out the filter/oil about 5K miles ago. (Hence me saying that in my first post).

I Beg your Pardon?! :eek7: From what I have been told, is that the pan should hold up the filter in the first place. How/Why, I dunno it fell out. The only thing that I can think of is when I went 4X4'ing in the mountains.

Have a Great Day, BlazerLT. Anywho, tread lightly on when you criticize people. It just might one day, bite you in the Rear!! :loser:

That "Monkey" you speak of was ME. I changed out the filter/oil about 5K miles ago. (Hence me saying that in my first post).

Excuse me?

So you are saying the shop guy installed it properly right?

Ummm...No

I was not saying this about you, I was saying it against the shop that improperly installed it.

So stop being so sensitive and read my whole reply before you go off like a hair pin triggered woman.

Excuse me?
I was not saying this about you, I was saying it against the shop that improperly installed it.

BlazerLT, I never mentioned in any of my posts that the shop changed my ATF fluid/filter, thus me thinking that your reply was meant towards me. I don't know much about my truck, so I apologize about taking that a little to heart. I'm just happy that I thought it out carefully/logically, and did what I did. I was a little uptight today, cause I could have been screwed w/o a paddle, if I just did what so-called Professionals said what was wrong.

Again, My sincere apologies..

No worries bro! :D

All I was saying is that you do not need any special mechanism to keep the filter in place.

The shop installed the filter wrong and that is what the problem was.

All is good and no bad feelings k?

4L60E transmissions can have either a deep or shallow oil pan. I'm don't know if something as small as a blazer would have a deep pan 4L60E, but if it did and if you got a filter for a shallow pan, I'm not sure that the filter would stay in place.

BlazerLT, do you know if it's possible that a Blazer would have the deep pan 4L60E?

By the way, I work for the OEM supplier of the pressure control solenoids that go in 4L60Es, so I'm glad to hear that it was not our solenoid that ended up being your problem.

I'm pretty sure all blazer trannys are shallow pan.