97 Blazer tranny problem: suddenly no forward gears - Page 2

BlazerLT · #16 05-02-2006, 11:31 PM

If you have a first gear or second gear clutch gone, yes, it could have caused it.

You have to find out what failed though and only a tranny shop will be able to do that for you.

blazes9395 · #17 05-04-2006, 07:25 AM

The ground strap problem everyone is refering too is done under the hood, so you can go ahead and fix what you have to fix on the tranny and install it again. When your taking the old tranny apart, if you have a hard part failure e.g. sunshell, any gear(s) etc that is not caused by a coolant leak( unless its a big leak and contaminating the fluid so much it loses it lubricating properties). If your clutches are toast, then I would be looking at a internal coolant leak, which is usually found in the rad, the tranny cooler would be the problem if this was the case. I will look and find the instruction sheet that came with the ground strap kit, and try to post them on here, to give you, or anybody else, an idea what it is. It took me twenty minutes to install it, and I didn't need any special tools, just some patience.

If you are installing the tranny yourself, which by the sounds of it you are, you must flush the cooler and lines like some have been saying here. I used the tranny flush bottle the hooks up to your cooler line and it did a good job. I followed that up with a small amount of tranny fluid i pumped in with a drill pump, to get anything that was remaining in there. This is imortant, don't forget to do this.

BlazerLT · #18 05-04-2006, 11:50 AM

Just to be safe, I would install a new rad in there.

There has to be a reason why you are loosing trannys this frequently.

Coolant damage is one of the major causes of these phantom failures along with the tranny shop reusing worn parts or not using the hardened upgraded sunshell.

That and a lot of people not waiting until the truck is stopped before switch from reverse to drive or vice versa.

jbarsalou · #19 05-05-2006, 09:25 AM

This is good info, thanks. The problem was definitely caused by a overheating. The tranny guy said that a bearing seized inside and tore everything up. He is repairing it with all upgrades and the hardened sunshell. Probably caused by some kind of blockage in the cooler or lines. I'm thinking about just putting a separate trans cooler in instead of taking any chances with the radiator even though it's only a couple months old. I'll try to flush it anyway to see if anything comes out. I'm picking the tranny up tonight and hopefully installing tomorrow.

BlazerLT · #20 05-05-2006, 02:12 PM

The stock cooler in the rad should be completely sufficient for cooling any transmission properly unless you tow large trailers.

I would look into a possible blockage.

How old is the rad on it?

jbarsalou · #21 05-06-2006, 08:29 AM

I picked up the trans last night and some of the gears were toast. I flushed the cooler (rad is 2 months old) with 2 cans of Kooler Kleen and then compressed air. All clean now and seems to flow out fine. After install I'll keep an eye on trans temp to make sure it's all ok.

BlazerLT · #22 05-06-2006, 12:30 PM

I would update the ground as we talked about earlier for the tranny just to make sure the tranny is getting the proper signals it needs for proper shifting.

Also, yours is a 1997, so plan on replacing the ignition switch sometime within the near future.

Ever had any starting problems?

jbarsalou · #23 05-09-2006, 12:10 PM

Tranny is in. All seems ok. I have had starting problems before and have the ignition switch which I'll swap in a few days.

Any luck finding those ground strap instuctions? Is it a kit or just a procedure? I just want to be thorough on this.

Thanks!

blazes9395 · #24 05-09-2006, 01:51 PM

Yeah, I have found the instructions at home. When I get a chance a little later on, when I get home, I will scan and post them on here.

BlazerLT · #25 05-09-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbarsalou

Tranny is in. All seems ok. I have had starting problems before and have the ignition switch which I'll swap in a few days.

Any luck finding those ground strap instuctions? Is it a kit or just a procedure? I just want to be thorough on this.

Thanks!

You have to buy the kit at the dealer, it will come complete with the instructions.

There was a thread I made lately about my experience with it.

Do a search for transmission TSB.

blazes9395 · #26 05-11-2006, 03:25 PM

Alright, sorry for the delay. I have the information here for the kit, I don't know how to get it on here. The Service Kit part # is 12167310. It states that you need the Terminal Removal Tool GM # 12122523. I didn't need it to make it work, so thats up to anyone who does this update. I paid $52.80 CAD for the kit - what a ripoff. thats about it. The kit includes all the instructions with all the pictures and stuff.

BlazerLT · #27 05-12-2006, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazes9395

Alright, sorry for the delay. I have the information here for the kit, I don't know how to get it on here. The Service Kit part # is 12167310. It states that you need the Terminal Removal Tool GM # 12122523. I didn't need it to make it work, so thats up to anyone who does this update. I paid $52.80 CAD for the kit - what a ripoff. thats about it. The kit includes all the instructions with all the pictures and stuff.

yea, it is a ripoff for a wire.

I just paid the dealer an hour to swap it in.

By looking at the instructions I know I was in for a treat.

CDN$80 well spent in my mind.

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