Very 'Firm' Shift 1st to 2nd

Hi all,

New to the Blazer, have 96 S10 4x4, just installed new (used 30K) 4L60E. Have driven it about 300 miles so far. Old tranny had lost second gear.

It shifts very 'firmly', for lack of a better word, between 1st and 2nd. I don't beat on it (not after all that work replacing it!!!), I'm talking normal acceleration pulling a way from a stop. The engine accelerates, gets to the point where I think it should shift, I can feel the shift start, it seems to hang up slightly, the engine accelerates just a tad more for a second, then it goes into 2nd with a bit of a lunge. It does it hot or cold.

The shifts into the all the other gears, and TC lockup, are so smooth as to be almost imperceptable, unless you're paying attention. Which makes the 1-2 stick out moreso. It doesn't clunk or bang, but it defintely seems to overrev and go into second a lot more stiffly than the other gears. I'm concerned because the last tranny lost second.

Any recommendations greatly appreciated!!

Also, is ther a seperate computer for the tranny, like a Dodge minivan? I'm familiar with those, they have an engine computer and a tranny one. How does one get the tranny codes for the Blazer?

thanks!!

Welcome to AF

The PCM/VCM engine and transmission computer is built together.

A used transmission may have had a shift kit installed?
Was it out of same year and engine?

Any check engine lights?
Engine running up to par?
The engine has to be running good for the transmission to shift good.

Good time to get it on a engine/transmission capable scanner and read out shifting information like shift delay seconds and codes.
Post back any codes.

Hope you changed the filter and dumped the converter also so all new fluid in that used trans. The 4L60E has a known sticky TCC that the computer sees and ups the pressure to over come and thats usually the hard 1-2 shift. I use the high mileage Valoline trans fluid in all mine so every 50K I change the filter and 5 qts from the pan to keep insides clean. As MT said a trans scanner at a shop will see this or possible 1-2 shift solenoid.

New (used ~30Kmi) tranny was out of same yr/engine to the best of my knowledge. Was identical in every visible way to the one I pulled out...don't know about internals.

Engine is running nicely, quite smooth, an intermittent EGR P1406 but it's not affecting driveability.

Converter was drained, new filter, new fluid Dex III, installed B&M plate cooler.

What's a 'TCC'?

Where does one get it scanned? Dealer? Tranny shop? Quite frankly the thought taking it to either one gives me indigestion. How much could I expect to pay for such a service?
Can I just get it scanned without having to grab my ankles for other things they're sure to want to push?

thanks!

New (used ~30Kmi) tranny was out of same yr/engine to the best of my knowledge. Was identical in every visible way to the one I pulled out...don't know about internals.

Engine is running nicely, quite smooth, an intermittent EGR P1406 but it's not affecting driveability.

Converter was drained, new filter, new fluid Dex III, installed B&M plate cooler.

What's a 'TCC'?

Where does one get it scanned? Dealer? Tranny shop? Quite frankly the thought taking it to either one gives me indigestion. How much could I expect to pay for such a service?
Can I just get it scanned without having to grab my ankles for other things they're sure to want to push?

thanks!

TCC is short for Torque converter lockup clutch.

Find a good repair shop and they will scan and check it for you.
Most of them will charge a diagnostic fee.
Around 1/2 to 1 hr labor.
MT

I had the same problem with my 97. I went to autozone and they read the code for me. It turned out to be the TPS (throttle postition sensor) it cost only $30 and it took me about 15 min to replace. It is located just under the air intake hose.

For my blazer the shift was hard enough to chirp the tires every time I accelerated. Good Luck

I had the same problem with my 97. I went to autozone and they read the code for me. It turned out to be the TPS (throttle postition sensor) it cost only $30 and it took me about 15 min to replace. It is located just under the air intake hose.

For my blazer the shift was hard enough to chirp the tires every time I accelerated. Good Luck

....And this is a perfect example why to first get the system scanned with a good scanner before concluding the tranny is at fault....