Transmission Issue?

saskatoonguy · December 31, 2010

I got a 1995 GMC Z71, auto,gas. I pulled her onto the highway and hit it. Made 1st, 2nd but it never made it to 3rd, 4th and so on, it just kept revving and doing nothing. Could i cross my fingers and hope for a torque converter issue, or has my transmission burnt out? Reverse had a little bit of a shimmy backing up in the truck and my boss said torque converter at the time. Truck worked perfect the day before. Is there any tests for a torque converter or transmission? I'm left scratching my head but i guess we gotta do what we gotta do. Thanks for the time reading this and for any thoughts you might write down Have a gooder

blacksierra01 · December 31, 2010

I'm no transmission expert, but I have tore up a few. Sounds like your 3rd-4th clutch is gone. After I lost 3and4 my reverse was pretty quick to go out as well, which it sounds like yours is going to soon.Basically , unless you can rebuild the transmission yourself, the only thing you can do is take it to a reputible transmission shop or start searching for a used on, but in my experiences a used trans isnt worth it, I would go for a compleat rebuild.JMO

rodram · December 31, 2010

Hi ... another guy from Saskatoon here...

it does sound like your 4L60E transmission is going ... these things do have a finite life time ... and it is common for them to wear out somewhere in the range of 200,000 to 240,000 kilometres (130,000 to 150,000 miles) ... if you have more than that on the odometer then you got a bonus!

the only thing you might try yourself is check the fluid level ... but based on what you describe, it sounds like it is worn out.... once the clutches start to go it is common that virtually everything inside the transmission also has considerable wear

When my transmission died, I took my truck to OK Tire & Auto on 8th Street East in Saskatoon (where I get all my auto repair and maintenance work done), and they had the transmission out of the truck (a PITA I heard), total transmission and torque convertor rebuild, and back in the truck the next day. I think they get all their transmission parts through Extreme Transmission Rebuilders which is located behind them in the same building complex.

It ain't cheap, but if the truck is in otherwise good condition it is still cheaper than buying a new truck. Two years ago I paid $1600 for the trans/converter rebuild plus R&R labour, fluids, plus miscellaneous costs, taxes, etc.... and I think it came to about $2600 total, with a one year warranty. I have had no regrets about getting mine repaired.

Looking for a used trans at a wrecker is a crap shoot... you never know what you are getting ... and then on top of that your '95 is a single year unique transmission, so it would be even harder to find a good one at a wrecker.

Good Luck!

GMstrong · December 31, 2010

Yea i highly doubt that its the torque converter.my 90 gmc sierra has 270,000 miles on the original trans and rear.when it goes it goes cant cry about it.

gmtech4 · January 1, 2011

definitly shot ,another avenue is a GM rebuilt tranny,it comes with a 3yr warranty ,the cooler gets flushed and flow rate thru the cooler is recorded and put on the work order (if done at GM).for warranty purposes

decision time for your 15 yr old truck

good luck from Wainwright ab

saskatoonguy · January 1, 2011

My reverse was getting pretty shakey on the truck, like shimmy while backing up. NOW, the darn thing backs up as if it never did nothing, no vibrating while backing up or well nothing, just normal. Is that a hint of a transmission problem? If so why all of a sudden does reverse work prefect? Just asking thats all. I guess it's time for a new one I thank you all for your replys, this was very helpful. Happy New Year to all Rod, just a question. How much did O.K. charge you for a rebuild? Lata guys and once again thank you.

rodram · January 3, 2011

I had my transmission work done in July 2009 ... the basic cost was $1600 plus R&R, fluids, misc service charges, taxes, etc... and I think the total was about $2600 ... I figured it was a good investment and I don't regret getting the work done...

My reverse was getting pretty shakey on the truck, like shimmy while backing up. NOW, the darn thing backs up as if it never did nothing, no vibrating while backing up or well nothing, just normal. Is that a hint of a transmission problem? If so why all of a sudden does reverse work prefect? Just asking thats all. I guess it's time for a new one I thank you all for your replys, this was very helpful. Happy New Year to all Rod, just a question. How much did O.K. charge you for a rebuild? Lata guys and once again thank you.

mjlimo82 · January 6, 2011

Being a 4L60-E, shifts are (obviously) electronically controlled, therefore it has shift solenoids in it. That being said, the 2-3 solenoid might be fading... I've seen it happen before. The bad thing is since your truck is a 95 it's not OBDII so I don't know if there's a way to retrieve any trans codes or not. Never rule out a clogged filter or valve body either. And then again, it very well could be the clutches. That's what sucks about newer transmissions... instead of being just one thing, it can now be twenty! When a TH350 started acting up on you, it was done and you knew it, no second guessing! Knock on wood I've got 160K on the second build on my 4L60/700R4 (whichever you prefer to call it) and it still shifts great. Good luck!!