Transmission Hard shift into 2nd Gear

[CarlosH1]

Hello,

I get a hard shift into second gear, it jerks into 2nd but not all the time. I only notice it after driving on the freeway for several miles. It has 60,000 original miles. Service Engine Soon light come on after the hard shifts with a transmission fault code. I reset the Engine light and let it set 20 or so minutes and it shifts like new.

Any help would be most appreciated

Thank you

1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK S10 2WD
6 Cylinders 262 X 4.3L SFI
Automatic

[MT-2500]

The service engine light with a hard shift is telling you you have a bad problem.
Do not drive it untill you get it fixed.
Or you will blow the transmission.
We need the code no.
Have transmission and engine codes checked and post back code no.

[Schrade]

Torque convertor slippage and ignition switch solenoid failure, among other things, will trip 'limp home mode', with extremely high transmission fluid pressure, and hard shifts.

This high fluid pressure will cook a tranny in short order. Get scanned and fixed. Might only be an electrical problem. Blow it off, and it could turn into a tranny problem.

[kolopedo]

its your transmissions valve body its sticking most likely needs to be replaced just like in mine

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by kolopedo

its your transmissions valve body its sticking most likely needs to be replaced just like in mine

Proper testing before throwing parts at it.

[CarlosH1]

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge, P1870 meaning of it was as follows: "Transmission Component Slipping" From what Im understanding it could even be ignition switch?

Thanks

1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK S10 2WD
6 Cylinders 262 X 4.3L SFI
Automatic

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by CarlosH1

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge, P1870 meaning of it was as follows: "Transmission Component Slipping" From what Im understanding it could even be ignition switch?

Thanks

1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK S10 2WD
6 Cylinders 262 X 4.3L SFI
Automatic

Yes, it could be ignition switch solenoid, just like someone said. I don't know who, but I'll quote him:

Originally Posted by cbec1999

Torque convertor slippage and ignition switch solenoid failure, among other things, will trip 'limp home mode', with extremely high transmission fluid pressure, and hard shifts.

This high fluid pressure will cook a tranny in short order. Get scanned and fixed. Might only be an electrical problem. Blow it off, and it could turn into a tranny problem.

If it's the solenoid problem, you will probably have your gauges all go to zero intermittently, and maybe some other strange electrical problems. I would NOT count on that.

Has the transmission fluid and filter been maintained and changed?

[CarlosH1]

Yes I changed the transmission fluid and the filter not long ago. There was a few times randomly when I tried starting it up that all the lights just went out and after turning the key several times it finally started.


1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK S10 2WD
6 Cylinders 262 X 4.3L SFI
Automatic

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by CarlosH1

There was a few times randomly when I tried starting it up that all the lights just went out and after turning the key several times it finally started.

Lights went out??? How about the gauges? Did they go to zero? And the truck still started just like it always did - right?

Answer EXPLICITLY how it happened. The difference between the ignition switch solenoid, and the transmission, is over a thousand dollars...

[CarlosH1]

Originally Posted by cbec1999

Lights went out??? How about the gauges? Did they go to zero? And the truck still started just like it always did - right?

Answer EXPLICITLY how it happened. The difference between the ignition switch solenoid, and the transmission, is over a thousand dollars...

The lights that come on in the dash when you first turn the key to start the engine. I turned the key back to lock then back to start and the lights go off again the gages I dont remember so good but Im pretty sure they moved to the left all the way down. At first I thought it was a bad battery connection so I checked the cables and found nothing wrong. The more I think about it the more certain I would say the gauges did Zero out each time. It started only after several key turns.

1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK S10 2WD
6 Cylinders 262 X 4.3L SFI
Automatic

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by CarlosH1

The lights that come on in the dash when you first turn the key to start the engine. I turned the key back to lock then back to start and the lights go off again the gages I dont remember so good but Im pretty sure they moved to the left all the way down. At first I thought it was a bad battery connection so I checked the cables and found nothing wrong. The more I think about it the more certain I would say the gauges did Zero out each time. It started only after several key turns.

1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK S10 2WD
6 Cylinders 262 X 4.3L SFI
Automatic

I'm pretty sure that even if you have the ig switch solenoid problem, the truck will start right away anyway - I THINK. Mine did, even with the problem. You'll have to find out for certain.

And, it can be running, and the gauges will go to zero, and the motor will still run perfect. But the tranny will change shifting modes, if the switch acts up.

I think the only clue you have is if the gauges bottom out while driving.

60k miles usually isn't enough for a tranny to fail...

[Smitty809]

I too have a '97 S-10, 4.3, Auto. It just recently started shifting hard from 1st to 2nd gear! When I say hard, it's like you got rear ended!!! In the rain it breaks the rear tires loose! I notice it is only after I drive for about 10 miles and further (after it is warmed up). I have no SES light on. I checked fluid, and its good! I read the other posts and 1 time I did start it up and I had no guages, but never happened again! I was thinking it is a bad solinoid or something like that! Just wondered if this clears any questions up?

[Blankenberge]

Dear Sir; I am Roger from Belgium and I have now the same problem with the automatic transmission of my 1996 Chevy S10, hard shift from 1 to 2nd gear,so may I ask You what was the solution of the problem. Many Thanks

[maxwedge]

Tnis can be caused by a bad pressure control solenoid or a worn valve in the valve body, full trans scan can properly diagnose this.