Where did 4th gear go in my '93 Yukon/Surburban

[Baconcake]

My wife told me the "Beast" just stopped going on the freeway and she had to drive with her flashers on to the nearest offramp. The "Beast" is a '93 Yukon with the big engine, automatic trans and 4 wheel drive. When I got home I could smell the burned fluid so we took it to "Woody" at the local trans shop and had him change the fluid and filter. He drove it and said it worked fine but there was some shavings in the pan. We don't really want to spend too much on it because we're going to sell it (just got a '01 and my wife loves it).

Here's the deal, when I drive it cold the tranny performs like a champ, shifts at the right speeds, shifts smooth, I can get it up to 65+ on the freeway. Until it gets warm, then 4th gear is like neutral. On the freeway if it drops out of overdrive into 4th, it's neutral. From a stop to about 40 is fine until it shifts to 4th, neutral again, then you coast back down to 30 or 35, gun it and it drops into 3rd and you can go again.

"Woody" say's about $1600 and he can fix it, I'm not really interested in spending that much on a car that has a Bluebook around $2500 especially when we're going to sell it.

Looking for a cheap and good solution... or at least a good description of the problem so whoever buys it will know what they need to fix.

Thanks, Jim...

[2000CAYukon]

If it is fine cold, then it is possible that it could be a valve body issue when warm.

The valve body would need to be inspected. Worn end plugs can cause your problem. See http://www.transmissionspecialty.com.../77964-08K.htm

I am not saying this is your problem; however, it may not require an overhaul like your tranny guy wants.

//2000CAYukon