94 K1500 - Only get 3rd gear

Hello all, I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction on a transmission problem I'm having with my 1994 Chevrolet Silverado 4X4, 5.7L, 4 spd auto w/ OD (I believe it is the 4L60E based on what I have read).

When driving home this evening, about 2 miles into the trip (the truck however was already at normal operating temp), at approx. 60 mph, my truck jumped a couple of times, seemingly into neutral then back to some higher gear, then went to neutral period. I coasted to a stop, then shifted the tranfer case into 4H, then back into 2H (I had used 4H to get out of a snowy/icy gravel road to the highay and thought maybe something was related). Then reverse, which worked, then back to "circle D" forward, which worked. However, the truck took off very sluggishly, which I soon figured out was because it took off in 3rd gear. I accelerated to 55 mph and the truck never shifted into 4th. A couple of times over the remaining 3 miles or so left in the trip, the truck tried to go back to neutral on me, and I had to punch the accelerator to get it back into 3rd. After getting home and checking the fluid level (it was dead-on full when hot), I took it for another approx 4-mile round trip test drive. From what I have read, the transmission is in "limp-home mode." Truck's current status:
- Starts in 3rd gear
- Doesn't upshift at all - is running around 2,500 RPM at 55 mph
- Doesn't down shift when I stop
- Doesn't downshift at all when I press the accelerator to the floor
- Gauges all work properly
- No malfunction indicator lamps on

The truck has 166,000 miles on it; I have limited history, bought it used at 160,000.

I hope someone can help point me in the right direction of where I should start here. I am fairly mechanically savvy - have done major engine teardowns, etc, but have limited to no knowledge of auto transmissions.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance!

Andy

I have a 95 K2500 that did the same thing although I think it only had 2nd gear and reverse. The end result was there was a cracked drum in the trans and it required a rebuild which cost about $1800. My truck only had 59,000 miles on it at the time. This problem occurred after I tried to pull out a shrub stump in reverse. I am not sure if that actually caused the problem but I assume it might have caused it.
Before the rebuild the trans shop changed some solenoids but that did not help. I was 200 miles from home so I had to do something. I will say that the trans shop did a great job and except for the costs I was very happy with their service.

Hello all, I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction on a transmission problem I'm having with my 1994 Chevrolet Silverado 4X4, 5.7L, 4 spd auto w/ OD (I believe it is the 4L60E based on what I have read).

When driving home this evening, about 2 miles into the trip (the truck however was already at normal operating temp), at approx. 60 mph, my truck jumped a couple of times, seemingly into neutral then back to some higher gear, then went to neutral period. I coasted to a stop, then shifted the tranfer case into 4H, then back into 2H (I had used 4H to get out of a snowy/icy gravel road to the highay and thought maybe something was related). Then reverse, which worked, then back to "circle D" forward, which worked. However, the truck took off very sluggishly, which I soon figured out was because it took off in 3rd gear. I accelerated to 55 mph and the truck never shifted into 4th. A couple of times over the remaining 3 miles or so left in the trip, the truck tried to go back to neutral on me, and I had to punch the accelerator to get it back into 3rd. After getting home and checking the fluid level (it was dead-on full when hot), I took it for another approx 4-mile round trip test drive. From what I have read, the transmission is in "limp-home mode." Truck's current status:
- Starts in 3rd gear
- Doesn't upshift at all - is running around 2,500 RPM at 55 mph
- Doesn't down shift when I stop
- Doesn't downshift at all when I press the accelerator to the floor
- Gauges all work properly
- No malfunction indicator lamps on

The truck has 166,000 miles on it; I have limited history, bought it used at 160,000.

I hope someone can help point me in the right direction of where I should start here. I am fairly mechanically savvy - have done major engine teardowns, etc, but have limited to no knowledge of auto transmissions.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance!

Andy

It is in fail safe mode.
Any check engine lights?
Get it on a transmmission/engine capable scanner and read codes and data.
Post back codes.
How is fluid and fluid level?
How many miles on it?
Ever been serviced?
Any repair history on transmission?

Thanks for the replies.
MT - please see the text of my initial post for the answers to all of your questions, except I forgot to note condition of the trans fluid, which is normal reddish color with no burnt smell, and no I haven't had any transmission codes pulled. This truck is OBDI, and the only scanner I have at my disposal is OBDII, not that I'm confident my OBDII scan tool will pull any specialized "transmission codes." I just figured my local dealer service dept. (who I have a great deal of trust in from past experience) will have to do this with a Tech 2, or some similar device.

It seems to me that the only way I will be able to get a clear understanding of what's going on here is through diagnosis by my dealer. So, I am calling today to set up an appointment, and I will be sure to post the result back to the board in case someone else runs into a similar situation with their truck.

In the meantime, if anyone has any first-hand experience with a problem that matches mine, please feel free to comment.

Thanks,

Andy

Could be a 4L60-E or a 4L80-E
And you can jumper A and B on diagnostic connector and get codes.
If you get the codes post back codes.
For more help on it.
Good Luck

I have some follow-up information to share on my truck's situation.
The dealer hooked it up to their Tech 2, and found the 2-3 shift solenoid is faulty. They are going to replace the solenoid, and change the fluid/filter, for about $220.
I am told that there is an outside chance that there is a problem with the PCM that actually damaged the solenoid. Without the new solenoid, the PCM appears to be OK, but they said there is a small chance it could show its true colors once the good solenoid is installed. 2 possible PCM's for my truck: 1 listed at $130, the other listed at $270.
Just for anyone's reference who might run into the same situation as mine in the future, here is how my truck was acting:
- Cold start, start driving, tranny working perfectly
- After driving several miles, starts jumping from gear to neutral
- Only 3rd/2nd gear available (3rd sketchy - trans. wanting to jump to neutral all the time, 2nd holding solid)

The good news here is, the Tech 2 showed that while my trans. was operating correctly (before it reached normal operating temp and the solenoid started messing up), the pressures and shift pattern were all perfect, so it appears I'm going to be fortunate here.

I'll post back with the final results after I hear from the dealer and pick up my

Andy

I have some follow-up information to share on my truck's situation.
The dealer hooked it up to their Tech 2, and found the 2-3 shift solenoid is faulty. They are going to replace the solenoid, and change the fluid/filter, for about $220.
I am told that there is an outside chance that there is a problem with the PCM that actually damaged the solenoid. Without the new solenoid, the PCM appears to be OK, but they said there is a small chance it could show its true colors once the good solenoid is installed. 2 possible PCM's for my truck: 1 listed at $130, the other listed at $270.
Just for anyone's reference who might run into the same situation as mine in the future, here is how my truck was acting:
- Cold start, start driving, tranny working perfectly
- After driving several miles, starts jumping from gear to neutral
- Only 3rd/2nd gear available (3rd sketchy - trans. wanting to jump to neutral all the time, 2nd holding solid)

The good news here is, the Tech 2 showed that while my trans. was operating correctly (before it reached normal operating temp and the solenoid started messing up), the pressures and shift pattern were all perfect, so it appears I'm going to be fortunate here.

I'll post back with the final results after I hear from the dealer and pick up my

Andy

What was the code no they got?