Shifts fine, hard to get into gear

[cyndric]

I have a 1993 Chevy Silverado K3500 - 1 ton - 4x4 - 7.4L 454 engine with 108,000 miles on it. The transmission shifts perfectly, no slipping at all, but getting it in gear is the problem.

It is full of transmission fluid, the fluid is bright red and does not smell.

When I shift into drive and push on the gas, the truck just revs up for 4-5 seconds, then something catches and it goes in gear and drives fine. After I have D working, I can shift to N or P and then back to D and it still works fine.

However, if I have D working and I shift into R the same thing happens, i have to give it gas for 4-5 seconds before the gear works. Now once R works and I try to go back into D again, D no longer works, I have to give it gas again and wait for the gear to catch and then it works perfect again.

Anytime I switch between R and D I have to give it gas for a few seconds before the truck will move. Once i'm moving in D all the gears shift perfect, no slipping.

I have called 7 transmission shops and not one has heard of this problem or knows what could be wrong inside the transmission. They all of course automatically tell me to rebuild the transmission for $2,000-2800. The cheapest place was $500 just to take the trans out and tell me whats wrong.

Any ideas as to what could be causing this? Thank you much!

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by cyndric

I have a 1993 Chevy Silverado K3500 - 1 ton - 4x4 - 7.4L 454 engine with 108,000 miles on it. The transmission shifts perfectly, no slipping at all, but getting it in gear is the problem.

It is full of transmission fluid, the fluid is bright red and does not smell.

When I shift into drive and push on the gas, the truck just revs up for 4-5 seconds, then something catches and it goes in gear and drives fine. After I have D working, I can shift to N or P and then back to D and it still works fine.

However, if I have D working and I shift into R the same thing happens, i have to give it gas for 4-5 seconds before the gear works. Now once R works and I try to go back into D again, D no longer works, I have to give it gas again and wait for the gear to catch and then it works perfect again.

Anytime I switch between R and D I have to give it gas for a few seconds before the truck will move. Once i'm moving in D all the gears shift perfect, no slipping.

I have called 7 transmission shops and not one has heard of this problem or knows what could be wrong inside the transmission. They all of course automatically tell me to rebuild the transmission for $2,000-2800. The cheapest place was $500 just to take the trans out and tell me whats wrong.

Any ideas as to what could be causing this? Thank you much!

have the tranny pressure checked..could be low..usually this is the first signs of tranny failure .slow engagement esp when cold ..what transmission is in this vehicle ?

[cyndric]

I believe it has the 4l80e trans in it.

One thing I forgot to add, which is problably important so i'm not sure how I forgot it, but I bought the truck a month ago. Just after I bought it, the trans started slipping while I was driving. I drove 4 blocks, pulled over and trans fluid was everywhere. Opened the hood and saw someone had repaired the trans coolant line that goes to the radiator and the clamp they used had came off and leaked fluid out causing the trans to slip. I repaired the line the correct way, filled up the fluid (it took 4 quarts), and it has driven perfectly ever since (for 3 weeks), with no slips, shifts perfect and everything.

The problem started a few days ago after an hour long drive I pulled into a parking lot and couldn't fit in a parking space, so I backed up 5 feet and when i put it into drive again it would not go anywhere. It was just by chance that I figured out holding the gas down for about 5 seconds caused something to catch and make it go into gear. It has been doing it ever since. As I said though, once it actually gets in gear the transmission shifts 100% perfectly

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by cyndric

I believe it has the 4l80e trans in it.

One thing I forgot to add, which is problably important so i'm not sure how I forgot it, but I bought the truck a month ago. Just after I bought it, the trans started slipping while I was driving. I drove 4 blocks, pulled over and trans fluid was everywhere. Opened the hood and saw someone had repaired the trans coolant line that goes to the radiator and the clamp they used had came off and leaked fluid out causing the trans to slip. I repaired the line the correct way, filled up the fluid (it took 4 quarts), and it has driven perfectly ever since (for 3 weeks), with no slips, shifts perfect and everything.

The problem started a few days ago after an hour long drive I pulled into a parking lot and couldn't fit in a parking space, so I backed up 5 feet and when i put it into drive again it would not go anywhere. It was just by chance that I figured out holding the gas down for about 5 seconds caused something to catch and make it go into gear. It has been doing it ever since. As I said though, once it actually gets in gear the transmission shifts 100% perfectly

sorry to here that ...you will need this replaced or if possible rebuilt..on your aged vehicle get a scrap yard replacement if possible ..

make sure that the coolant lines are cleaned or replaced and flush the tranny cooler lines in the radiator..