Automatic transmissiom stuck in second gear

I have a 1993 2WD 1500 pick up with the automatic transmission stuck
in second gear when the column shifter is put in drive. Park ,neutral, and
reverse all work OK. the transmission is a 4L60E. Fluid is clean and does
not smell burnt. Trasmission is original with about 145000 miles on it.
Not sure where to look first.

I guess the first place to look would ba sure that the linkage is working properly. "D" on the dash could be actually skipping Drive right into second. Other than that may need to be torn down. Good luck.

Does it shift to 3rd when it should? Is the check engine light on? If so, you should pull the codes.

The 4L60E is famous for valve body issues. The link shows one of the valve body issues that can cause 2nd gear starts http://www.transmissionspecialty.com/parts/parts/77754-09K.htm

//2000CAYukon

The trans is in limp mode, by the sound of it, as requested by ****Yukon, get the required info.

I had the same problem on a 94 1-ton 4x4. The transmission is definately in "safe" mode. You can bypass it for short periods of time by disconnecting the battery for a good 5 minutes and then reconnecting it-- it'll reset the computer and you can drive normally for a while, but don't go above 50 mph or you'll have a nasty surprise when it decides to go back to 2nd gear!

As far as the solution is concerned... Chevy had a bad design on this, where even if it is the transmission controller on the side of the transmission, it still needs to be pulled to change the controller. Typically, it's just a short in the computer, but you have to pull the transmission.

Can you manually shift the tranny into first(2 or 1, possibly L on the PRNDL). Does the speedo and tach work?

93 wont have the range switch on the side of the trans any codes?

Jeremy-WI, if the speedo and tach don't work, what might be the cause?

If the tach and speedo don't work and it starts and stays in third gear, there is a good chance that the tranny is not getting the 12 volts it needs to shift, but most times it should set codes. You should still be able to manually shift it into second and first

Scanner time.
Like Maxwedge and yukon says get the reqired info from a eng/trans capable scanner and post back codes.
You can not out guise it or find out what it is without a scanner.
Post back any codes.
MT-2500

I have a 94 ck 2wd that has a similar problem. I got in the truck one morning and took off and then discovered it had only second gear. The truck has 250 thousand miles and is all original but has been very well maintained so really was not surprised but thought it was odd there were no signs leading up to this failure. So i look at the simple stuff fluid, linkage, fuse ,fusible link, and plugs on transmission and find nothing wrong the check engine light never came on but hooked up scanner anyway to see if there were any codes nothing there either. So it is just gone i had patc build me a 4l60e "raptor" as they call it with all the good parts because i plan to keep the truck and i tow with it almost every day.I get it installed and guess what no change still only second gear. I hooked back up the scanner and found out it has option to shift manually with it and shift it does. So the pcm or ecm what ever you want to call it is bad right? I called and ordered a new one and i don't have to tell the out come of that. So does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? The truck is a transition year for the tranny i think 93 had 700r4 i believe and 95 has new dash and vortec. My transmission does not have the switch pack on the side like the 95 and up models do. I also checked the ignition switch for problems because i remember from my car audio days they would make the trans do crazy stuff. I have spent over two grand so far and gotten nowhere i don't really care about the money because i plan to keep the truck but now i am just mad i don't know what else to try any ideas will be appreciated.

I don't remember what years have a tranny fuse in the interior fuse panel, if your truck has a trans fuse, check for 12v there with the ignition on. If there is no voltage there, check for voltage on the pink/white or white wire at ignition switch harness. You could also check for 12v at the transmission connector (post E)

There is a fuse called 'PRND' in the cab, check that (check them all actually, you never know what one might lead to). Otherwise you will indeed have to check the tranny for power.