'99 Astro Transmission Problem

I have a '99 Astro AWD and just today the transmission started acting up (of course on a trip to visit family in another state). The van will build up to a high RPM before going into gear. It's almost as if it is in nuetral and I am pressing the gas revving the engine up.

Fluid level is OK. Any suggestions where to look next?

Thanks!

Additional info...

I was able to find a place that does diagnostics on transmissions. They put a diagnostic console on and drove around - I have no second gear. They said it was probably either the valve or a seal. Either way the tranny needed openned. Also talked to a brother-in-law who is experinced with vehicles. He thought maybe gunk in the fluid caused a valve to stick and suggested fluid cleaner. Also talked to the local Chevy guy here - he said maybe a solenoid or clutch.

Still would like opions from this forum.

I was supposed to go from Youngstown to Cincinnati then back to Somerset, PA (home). Either way I'm heading back to PA from Ytown - don't want to risk getting stuck that far from home with little kids.

Another possibility is the 2nd servo. In any case, the transmission will need some attention.

Primary Valve body needs to be drilled and honed to avoid this happening
again.. There was a service bulletin on this tranny that not many
tranny shops look into and if not done the tranny will build up
serious line pressure and do this all over again. The computer detects
a build up of line pressure do to the orifice is to small for the needle
to pass the correct line pressure. The computer will see this as a problem
and build more line pressure to avoid the slip which in turns burns the clutch.

This problem is always the second gear clutch failing. My bet before this
happened you probably noticed a harder shift to second.

This is a very common problem that GM decided was not enough for a recall.. (stupid)
After the tranny is rebuilt correctly you shouldn't have a problem again. Just a shame
that GM waited till 2003 to recognise there was a problem with the 4l60e

kidneystone, I'm not sure I follow your post - what part are you suggesting failed? I bought the van with 48K and put 57K on with no noticable shifting trouble. Not being able to go into second gear is a problem that just started out of nowhere.

I dropped the van off this afternoon for the shop to look at tomorrow. How did you find the service bulletin? I'd like to get a look at that bulletin to at least have some more info before talking with the shop again.

Thanks!

Update...

Chevy dealer called me back. I have no 2-4 band - he says it's burned up. $2,500 for a GM certified remanufactured with a 3 yr, 100K warranty. 1 yr, 12K warranty for them to rebuild - around the same cost. Ouch - lot of $$$.

Any comments on this?

Update...

Chevy dealer called me back. I have no 2-4 band - he says it's burned up. $2,500 for a GM certified remanufactured with a 3 yr, 100K warranty. 1 yr, 12K warranty for them to rebuild - around the same cost. Ouch - lot of $$$.

Any comments on this?

sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I had the tranny in my wifes 92 rebuilt last year and it cost about $2 grand with a 90 day warranty. It was done by the same guys that rebuilt it almost ten years ago.

you really can't sell it for a reasonable price or drive it the way it is. My wife wants to keep hers so 2 grand was less than than 4 months payments and insurance on a new SUV. if you plan on keeping it the 3 year warranty is the way to go.

Update...

$2500 was too much for my wife and I to handle. Everyone else who ever had trannies rebuilt that we talked to were always talking around $1500. I ended up calling around and taking it somewhere else for a rebuild and was told ballpark $1400 - $1600. (so it will probably be a little more). It should be done mid-week next week so I will keep everyone posted.

I can get one out of a salvage yard for $400 with 70K miles and no warranty or a rebuild off the internet for around $1000 with shipping with a 1 year warranty. Although it will cost more, I just decided not to tackle this as I have no experience with transmissions other than changing the fluid & filter. Plus it's my wife's so it has to be done right and quickly - plus my garage is freezing cold right now!

I do have a question... Could a mass air flow sensor issue have been the root cause of this tranny problem? I was getting intermittent MAF codes with the engine light. It would go on for a few days then go off for a week or so, etc. Always seemed to go on when I was going downhill at high speed on the freeway. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

The last 4L60E AWD trans rebuild I did cost the owner $725 plus another $50 for a follow-up visit to change fluid/filter and inspect it 3 months later. That included draining and refilling the XR cae with Auto-TRak II, A new shell and hub, new band, all new seals, new direct clutch (3-4), rebuilding the pump, and new torque converter (he provided). I guess I'm too cheap. If the van is not AWD, it should be even cheaper. A new band is only about $10 - http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=2&Product_Code=B74020AH&Category_Code=4L60E-4L65Eband&Product_Count=1

kidneystone, I'm not sure I follow your post - what part are you suggesting failed? I bought the van with 48K and put 57K on with no noticable shifting trouble. Not being able to go into second gear is a problem that just started out of nowhere.

I dropped the van off this afternoon for the shop to look at tomorrow. How did you find the service bulletin? I'd like to get a look at that bulletin to at least have some more info before talking with the shop again.

Thanks!


Sorry I have not been on in a few days.. Here is a Link to what went
wrong in your tranny and also what I described. The TCC valve is what failed.
If your tranny guy does not repair the valve body or
install a new valve body with the improved design
and only rebuilds you will have the same problem again only in a shorter time due
to the valve body is already worn out.

http://transmichigan.com/pdf/77754-ISO(in).pdf

http://www.transmissionspecialty.com/announcements/VB-FIX.pdf

Update...

I picked the van up last night. Transmission was rebuilt w/ 1 year/12k mile warranty. I was out the door for $1,400 and some change. Drove it around last night and it seemed to be shifting good.

As far as pricing for rebuilds, it might just be supply/demand. I've noticed sometimes small town specialty mechanics charge a bit more because they don't have as much competition. I've noticed when I've lived in bigger cities that services are generally lower because people have more choices.