Transmission or not transmission...that is the question

[smonaldo]

This is in fact a similar posting about a PROBLEM I am experiencing and appears similar to many other threads, and the reason I am on this sight seeking advise/ideas.

2000 SLT 4wd model, 93,300 miles.

The past week the problem has masked itself as a potential Transmission problem. From a dead stop, step on the gas and I would get more RPM than I would power and forward motion. Shifting is sluggish from 2nd - 3rd. In the 20-30 mph range, the rpm’s will be at 3000, drop to 2000, surge to 3000, drop to 2000. All along, I could hear the engine roar, but again minimal forward motion. Took it to the “world’s largest transmission experts” for their external diagnosis. They had it for a day and a half, hooking it up to their computers, even one that goes between the car computer and the tranny, and came back to say that the Transmission is doing what it being told to do! They don’t want my $2800 for a total rebuild because they say it won’t fix the problem. By the way, up until last night, no SES indicator, no funny smells, rotten eggs, or any of the other suggestion I found here in all the threads. Another interesting fact is that I can somewhat bypas the problem by manually up-shifting and down-shifting.
So, before the service engine light last night, I purchased a new fuel and air filter which I will replace this evening, and I am taking it in for a reading on the ses code tomorrow.
I am inclined to believe that the problem is fuel/exhaust related now because of the sluggish performance and the low end bucking and surging. As a final note, on the highway it seems ok, but it is not as responsive as I think it should be. It won’t always kick down when I try to pass, and does seem to be starving for gas or air. So, similar to everybody else, except the code just came on late last night. I will keep you all posted on the code, and the ultimate resolve.

[JimmyGold]

I have a 2000 SLT with 68,500. I heard a slight grinding sound when I would shift from reverse to drive. I also had some slight hestitation at low speeds. Took it to Jiffy Lube, had my gear box lubed along with my oil change - which is often overlooked. I also had my air filter and PCV valve changed. When I drove off she practically jumped out of the parking lot!

[smonaldo]

Sorry....no grinding, but the PCV valve sounds like a good idea anyway. I forgot about that, and can pick one up tonight. Maybe that is the code. Will find out tommorrow

[smonaldo]

fuel/air filter not the problem....gotta keep looking!

Help anybody!

[JackDaniels386]

It sounds to me like your catalytic converter might be the problem. When it backs up, you could push the gas pedal all the way in, and it wont go very fast. Is your "Service engine light" on all the time, or does it blink? If it blinks, then one of your cylinders is getting waaaaay too much fuel, and that probably screwed up your cat. converter and fused it almost shut. so youll have to get the cat. fixed, and the cylinder thats running too rich fixed too. If the "service engine soon" light is just on all the time, it could just be the cat.

[BlazerLT]

Take your truck to Autozone and get the codes read that are causing the SES light and come back here and post them.

Until then were are shooting in the dark.

[smonaldo]

I have an appointment for 2:00 pm EST today to have the codes read on the SES light. That should get me looking in the right direction. And it is solid, not flashing. As I started this thread with, the weird thing about this proble is that it behaved in this manner for a week with no SES at all! The light only came on Tuesday evening, after 5 days of mis-behaving. JAckDaniels is on the money with the pushing the gas pedal to the floor and getting minimal resonse. I have been around cars and a Sunday mechanic for 30 + years, and I know when a car is starving for gas/air, and it is. The problem that I have and probably share with many on this sight is the lack of ability when it comes down to computer controlled systems that interact so dependantly on each other. If this were 20yrs ago, I would know for sure that it is fuel or exhaust. To be continued I hope............wil post computer results when I get them.

[BlazerLT]

Let us know what you get.

[smonaldo]

Are you ready for this....the ses code was Transmission shift error. Can't tell you exactly what #, but that is what he told me in english terms. It goes to the dealer for a look on Monday! I can't wait! The post by braxton58 seem interesting.....not sure if it is related to my problem or not. The SAGA continues..............

[BlazerLT]

Where are the codes?

Where are the numbers?

[smonaldo]

he did not give me that info, just said "transmission shift" code or error.
Any way, he pissed me off when he acted like I was bothering him. Also asked for the car for a couple of days to find the problem.....he probably just lost me as a customer.

[BlazerLT]

go back inthere and DEMAND they give you the codes.

They have to and some asshole just saying shift code means nothing.

Go back and talk to the manager.

[smonaldo]

Small repair shop...and this was the owner. And I have been a customer for 10 years!
Any way, just got an earlier appointment with another GM dealer by same owner for tommorrow...will let you all know as soon as I do.

PS. lets not forget that this all began with a trip to AAmco where they diagnosed the heck out of the tranny and said that it was being told to mess up. They didn't even want the money to take it apart, said it was a waste to do so. So tranny code or not I am not convinced the code is real, just a fallout of a deeper problem.
I am starting to supect computer problem. A friend of mine tells me of a very similar tale, no egine light indicator, no diagnostic errors, and it was the computer itself!

[BlazerLT]

Go to Autozone and get the codes read.

You mechanic is obviouly holding information back on you so you will leave it to him to fix it and pay him.

This is a sign of a mechanic I would not deal with.

[JackDaniels386]

Try resetting the computer, just unhook the ground cable from the negative battery post and leave it like that overnight.