Transmission

R.Knowles · October 17, 2009

I bought a 1997 1500 W/T with 4.3 liter V6 and automatic transmission. I am sure the guy that sold it was somewhat less than honest, but for $300.00 the truck is in pretty good condition.

The problem is that when I try to drive it, I have to rev the engine up way higher than is normal to get it to move. It feels as if it is stuck in the mud. You can feel the engine straining and something in the trans or torque converter is spinning but it struggles to move. Once it is moving it drives just fine. If it have been driving for a few minutes, it seems to do a little better leaving a stoplight/sign. I drove it home about 85 miles and it drove fine at highway speeds. I do not notices any noises from the trans at idle or at speed.

I also have noticed that when I have to really flog it hard to get it to move, even if I drive at slow speeds in town the water temp seems to skyrocket toward the red zone and stay above normal for a while.

The previous owner claimed to have been a mechanic at a Chevy dealership. He stated that he had changed the filter, fluid, a valve(?) and adjusted/cleaned the bands. He wasn't truthful about others things so I don;t know if I should believe what he said about the trans.

I thought it might be the torque converter since it has the problem in both drive and reverse, but after reading some other websites I am not so sure. So, help me if you can, PLEASE. Thanks.

Nytemare · October 17, 2009

These trucks have a TV cable on them that controls the shifting of the trans... with regards to throttle position...if its not adjusted properly things like this can happen, or it will "hunt for gears really bad"

Have you checked the fluid level...if its low it will not create enough pressure to engage the trans....

Also...yes your converter could be screwed...or your pump.

worst case scenario....you have to buy a used trans for a few bucks....if its worth it why not

Cost of a used trans in Grade A condition is between 500-800bucks US

If you can find a U-pull-it you may get one cheeper

gmtech4 · October 17, 2009

I have to jump in and say to my fellow forum member nytemare that that tranny you have has NO throttle cable and is a 4L60E .

there are no bands to adjust and has not been for awhile ,.

your tranny is cooked if the oil is alittle dark and smelly and just take it in for an estimate ,is your light on ?etc ,etc

when the cost to rebuild gets higher than a replacement,you get what I mean,.

please stay away from a used tranny unless your gonna flip the truck after repair.

changing oil and the filter does not fix transmission wear or problems..

you won't get more than that here .

sry

___________________________________________

GM transmission specialist for 5 yrs

Nytemare · October 18, 2009

I apologize...I didn't pay attention to the trans when I looked up the used parts...I thought it had a 700R4, I thought they switched to the 4L60E in 98.

Did you not take the truck for a test drive before you bought it? Always do this. you should also spend the cash to have a garage look it over before you sign the papers to take it...if the guy refuses or makes a fuss...or says bring it to my mechanic only....WALK AWAY.

In the end...you paid 300 bucks for a truck, you cant have expected to be getting something without problems.

New trans is about 1200 bucks, plus labor of ripping one out and installing a new one if you cannot do it yourself.

Used is like I said 500-800 for one with 150K or less on it...most places that I use for used parts give a 90 day warranty for parts only. So you save a few bucks.

A new one will not come with a new converter....a used one you may be able to get the guy to throw it in at the wreckers.

I've had lots of luck with Used...others may not have...

But yes...bring it to a shop and get it diagnosed....it may be something simple...

Sounds like both of us agree that its toast, but you never know...its hard to tell for sure without seeing it.

The big questions....How much are you willing to spend and how much is the truck worth you spending on it?

R.Knowles · October 22, 2009

I apologize...I didn't pay attention to the trans when I looked up the used parts...I thought it had a 700R4, I thought they switched to the 4L60E in 98.

Did you not take the truck for a test drive before you bought it? Always do this. you should also spend the cash to have a garage look it over before you sign the papers to take it...if the guy refuses or makes a fuss...or says bring it to my mechanic only....WALK AWAY.

In the end...you paid 300 bucks for a truck, you cant have expected to be getting something without problems.

New trans is about 1200 bucks, plus labor of ripping one out and installing a new one if you cannot do it yourself.

Used is like I said 500-800 for one with 150K or less on it...most places that I use for used parts give a 90 day warranty for parts only. So you save a few bucks.

A new one will not come with a new converter....a used one you may be able to get the guy to throw it in at the wreckers.

I've had lots of luck with Used...others may not have...

But yes...bring it to a shop and get it diagnosed....it may be something simple...

Sounds like both of us agree that its toast, but you never know...its hard to tell for sure without seeing it.

The big questions....How much are you willing to spend and how much is the truck worth you spending on it?

First I would like to thank both nytemare and gmtech for their posts. When I got the truck up off of the ground, not only did I find a broken shift cable, but the gear selector shaft going into the case is broken inside. I don't know how it has been shifting for the 5 weeks that I have been using it on weekends. I called the local acknowledged transmission guru and he said it probably needs a complete rebuild. I got an ATSC manual and a GM shop manual and after reading through them I do believe I can do the rebuild my self. I want to do a complete rebuild with new 5 pinion front and rear planetary, drum, all the sprags, everything. It seems to be pretty straight forward and will require a lot of paying attention to detail which is the one thing that I do extraordinarily well.

Now in the meantime, I have a 700R4 that is just fine.I can remove it from another vehicle I own. I would like to install a floor shifter when I do the swap. Is this okay and if it is what all else will I need to do? I only plan to use the 700R4 for 3-4 months until I can purchase all of the parts and special tools to do the rebuild on the 4L60E.

gmtech4 · October 22, 2009

you should not be buying hard parts (planetaries etc) without first inspecting them,and the price of them will scare you into a rebuilt tranny quick,special tools are needed but not all,get a spring compressor for the piston springs & don't worry to much about end play ,its been set up before ,give it wiggle from underneath when it says to in the book,,

if you've never done one before ,take your time and work clean