transmission problem

[domf]

Hi,
Im having a strange problem with my transmission in my 94 Silverado 4x4. The transmission sticks in first or second gear, and will not shift. If I stop and shut the truck off for about 5 min. it will then shift fine, for days or weeks. This has happened 3 times in the past month. I am not sure what trany it has, but the motor is the 5.7, with 140,000. Has anybody ever had this problem?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dom

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by domf

Hi,
Im having a strange problem with my transmission in my 94 Silverado 4x4. The transmission sticks in first or second gear, and will not shift. If I stop and shut the truck off for about 5 min. it will then shift fine, for days or weeks. This has happened 3 times in the past month. I am not sure what trany it has, but the motor is the 5.7, with 140,000. Has anybody ever had this problem?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dom

Check fluid level and condition to start with.
Any check engine lights?
Speedometer working good?
Get the computer scanned and check for codes and post back codes.
MT

[gmtech79]

What year? If it has a 4L60-E I would bet you have the 1-2 shift solenoid sticking or malfunctioning electrically. If it is the 4L60 with a tv cable (92 and earlier) I would check adjustment of the tv cable.

[guumbah]

When 2nd is gone, is reverse gone too? Does this year have that problem with the sun shell? I don't know if it would be intermittent, though....

[domf]

Its a 1994, there is no check engine light on, the fluid level is good, speedo works and reverse works, but reverse takes a few seconds to engage and chatters. Would I have to get it scanned to see if is a bad 1-2 solenoid, and is this something that I can change?
Thanks,
Dom

[gmtech79]

You do have the 4L60-E.
Where your saying it chatters I would start to bet that the splines in your sun shell are going away. I have seen them not completely strip out and you have somewhat of reverse. I have also seen them strip out and have no reverse with no noise, but usually you have noise as the stripped splines just spin between the reaction sun shell and reaction sun gear. I am gonna give you some advice but I will warn you that you may end up completely taking out the sun shell. Put the trans in reverse and do a little bit of power braking, nothing extreme just hold the brakes against the trans and see how well it holds, if it does break and you loose reverse you will need to pull the trans. If it holds I would recommend pulling the trans pan and check for metal shavings.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by domf

Its a 1994, there is no check engine light on, the fluid level is good, speedo works and reverse works, but reverse takes a few seconds to engage and chatters. Would I have to get it scanned to see if is a bad 1-2 solenoid, and is this something that I can change?
Thanks,
Dom

If it is computer controled you will need a trans capable computer to check it.
And it needs checked at the time it does it or as soon as you can get a scanner on it.
That Reverse chatter or slow engagement does not sound good.
As gmtech79 said there is a good test on the sun shell.
One other thing or good test you should do is pull the pan and have a look at the fluid condition and filter and look for extra metal in there.
MT

[domf]

I don't think I will try the power brake thing since I still have reverse. The slow engagement into reverse has been going on for a while (maybe 2 years), and the reverse chatter/slipping started last year. I'm sure it's not normal, but I have been babying it in reverse as to not make it any worse. But the sticking in gear thing just started last month. One problem my have somthing to do with the other, but I drive about 250 miles a week, and its happened only 3 times, and every time its happened I shut it off for about 5 min. and then its fine again. I have had this truck since it was new, and would like to keep it a couple more years, but I am not sure if its worth rebuilding the tranny $$$. Maybe I will drop the pan, change the filter and hope that helps. I will let you know what I find!!!
Thanks,
Dom

[domf]

I have located a transmission out of a 94 Blazer with a V6 in it (80,000 miles). Does anyone know if this will fit in my truck? It looks like the same tranny 4L60-E, and the mounts look the same, but is the gearing the same as in my V8 truck?
Thanks,
Dom

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by domf

I have located a transmission out of a 94 Blazer with a V6 in it (80,000 miles). Does anyone know if this will fit in my truck? It looks like the same tranny 4L60-E, and the mounts look the same, but is the gearing the same as in my V8 truck?
Thanks,
Dom

You really need one that is out of a full sise pickup.
Clutch packs and hard telling about the wiring and converter is lighter for a Blazer 4.3.
Have the salvage yard check there interchange book.
MT

[Race3fann]

I have a 1999 that is doing the same thing. I am betting that it has something to do electronically in the trans. My fluid is fine and been serviced and it only happens every so often, and after shutting it off for 5 min it is fine. I was going to dump the fluid but I really think and hope that if it was a mechanical problem, shutting the truck off for 5 min would not correct the problem. I would have it scanned,sometimes it will leave a code, but with no check engine light it might be hard to get a code out of it.It wont hurt to dump the fluid if you wanted to. Other then that it has been a great truck and you should get another 100,000 miles out of it if you take care of it.