Huge Tranny Probs.

moscow_silverado · November 3, 2002

Hey guys.

My dad has a 2002 5.3 LS and just had some big problems. He was driving down the road when he said the transmission seemed to shift to Neutral and the engine reved. he drove it home and when i got there we couldn't back it out of the shed becasue there was no reverse. I drove it down the road and while in drive it would shift from first, directly to third and then stay in third. Even at 75 it would not shift to OD. SO!! Could it be the valve body? or a linkage of some sort??

It goes to the shop on monday, but i would like some input before then.

Thanks,

Ben

Shaners · November 3, 2002

IT doesn't sound good!!! But it is amazing what the "Techs" can do with programming!!!

These computer controlled trannies can hiccup from time to time, but I think those symptoms are more than a computer related item...

Good Luck!!!

Cop_Dodger · November 3, 2002

Hmmmmmmmmm.......... Possably a reactoin shell problem. They tend to rip the center out of them. If I remember correctly Reverse is nonelectronic selectoin. The reactoin shell turns when the reverse input clutches are appliend inside the drum assembly. The reaction shell turns the reaction sun gear which runs inside a set of planetary gears. The planetary gearset turns inside the internal reaction gear thus the planetary gearset will turn the output shaft in reverse. Then again, I could be wrong!

My profeshional GUESS is a broken reaction shell is causing the reverse malfunction. Normally in an electronic malfunction you would get a DTCs (diagnostic code).

carguru · November 3, 2002

A good friend of mine had the same thing happen to his '99. Problem was found to be a reaction cage fracture in the tranny. Good luck with it.

GMCZ71 · November 3, 2002

Common problem from what my shop says. #### mine is still there until I come up with $3000 to get her out. I saw the parts that exploded and that is what i lost 2nd and reverse. Just bite the bullet and get the better parts and drive on. Sorry man, I didn't need this either. There was several GM trucks there while they were building mine. I had 77,000 when it happened but the others had as little as 55,000. They tell me that GM knows that is weak part but won't do anything about it unless you still have the warrenty as I don't so I'm stuck, I had to get the cash from my 401K. Suck don't it? But AAMCO guarentees me that now I'm bullet proof. We'll see. Hope all works out better for you than me.

whitesnake01 · November 4, 2002

To reduce the risk of tranny problems, keep it cool, get a trans temp gauge, use synthetic, drop the pan at the start of each season crack open the filter and look for shavings, refill. Do not underestimate the impact of a radiator with reduced flow. Heat kills trannys.

BDBWTE · November 4, 2002

Always look to the easy first...is there enough fluid in the tranny to get line pressure high enough to shift...is there a vacum leak on the tranny I do believe their is a vacum line ran to the tranny because my buddies came off and it would only shift at 5000rpms...lol if not that go to the dealer and be like wtf is wrong...I had my tranny in the 1500 replaced at 48,000 miles...of course I pulled a 763 Bobcat with that 1/2 ton quite a bit so I can't complain.