97 JIMMY SLT Won't shift out of 4HI/4LO to 2HI

[jeretired]

Hi Guys,

I've got a 97 JIMMY Automatic 4x4 with 110K miles. Other than the "typical" hard "clunk and snap" when shifting between 2nd and 3rd for several years, no problems. She relished towing my 95 Bayliner 30 miles round-trip to the lake twice a year.

Last spring she started slipping instead of going into gear and eventually reverse stopped working. I limped her in to an AAMCO shop for a $1300.00 estimate. Three weeks later, it cost me nearly $5,000.00 to drive the *&^%$ thing home. Everything seemed alright until the first snow of the year last November.

Now she won't shift out of 4-wheel drive. When I press the 2HI button, the light flashes, a clicking sound is heard from the Transfer Case area and after a few clicks it stops and the 4HI light stays on. I called AAMCO but of course their response is that they "only" rebuilt the transmission, didn't touch anything related to the T-case (valuable and extremely costly lesson learned about transmission shops), AAMCO in particular.

I've seen some write-ups in this forum; actually tapped the solenoid with a hammer, shifted from 4 to 2 in Neutral, shifted from Neutral to Park, all with no luck. I've seen lots of comments about model year 2000 and up with different dashboard controls.

What can you suggest about my 97? What's under the kick panel on the passenger side? If I remove it, what do I look for and do you think it might help? I'm naturally very frustrated but am not anxious to go near a dealer for $$$ "testing".

One other thing, on a different subject; I've got a small "lake" in the driver's foot well. Living in the Seattle area isn't very conducive to dry weather so, if anyone has any suggestions as to where the water might be coming from, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks a bunch in advance guys; it's a great vehicle but if I hadn't just dumped that $5K into the tranny I'd be driving something more economical, you can rest assured.

Jeretired

[MT-2500]

You could have bought two GM factory rebuilt for 5K $$$$$

On transfer case pull codes.
Ground pin 13 on diagnostic connector and read 4W shift blight flashes.
Post back long and short and pause flashes.
PS
The water leak could have got into wiring or PC modules and messed them up.
Unplug them and check for corrosion at plug ins.

[b1lk1]

I got ripped off at a "reputable" transmission shop a few years back getting the tranny done on a 1995 Cutlasss Ciera. They "rebuilt" the transmission yet did not service the valve body causing it to drop out of 4th gear and unlocking the torque converter (it was going into limp home mode). But I digress.....

As for the water leak, look at the cowl. You may need to remove the wiper blades and the plastic covering for the cowl and see if there is anything amiss in there. I would say that is pretty much the only way to get water in there. Also check the seal on the door as well.

[Leeann94astro]

3rd note on the water leak - it could be your heater core. Check your coolant level...

[b1lk1]

Originally Posted by Leeann94astro

3rd note on the water leak - it could be your heater core. Check your coolant level...

You'd have a strong coolant smell inside the truck as well. My heatercore is currently leaking and I am not getting a drop of coolant/water inside my truck.

[jeretired]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll check on the coding first chance I get. As for the water leaks, I doubt it's the coolant because there's no color nor smell to it. Will check the door seal and cowling.

So called "reputable" transmission shops Don't Get It. I believe it's best to call a spade a spade...in this case, AAMCO ripped me off, I'll tell the world if only to save another person (especially another member of this forum) the expense they caused me!