Transmission

woyster_00z71 · July 31, 2003

This morning on my way to work in my '01 Tahoe with 57,000 miles, I seem to have missed a gear. I was speeding up as usual to merge into traffic and I noticed high rpm's at about 65 mph. I let off the accelerator and it immediately shifted into overdrive. I think it was stuck in 2nd gear and skipped 3rd on its way to overdrive. Anyway, I slowed back down and started over. This time, it hit all gears as normal and I didn't have any further problems on the way to work (25 miles or so).

So in the parking lot, I left it running and checked the tranny fluid. The level is about 1/4" or so below the hatched area on the dipstick. I haven't noticed any leaks on the driveway or any fluid on the undercarriage, so where has the fluid gone? I have noticed a time or two that it will shift rough or at a higher RPM but I don't think it has ever missed a shift. Has my fluid been low for awhile now?

I am going to go pick up some fluid at lunch today and top it back off. How much fluid is it going to take to fill it back up to operating range? Do you think any damage has been done to the tranny? I plan on doing a full fluid flush/filter change/service on it in the next couple of weeks but for now I am just going to top it off. What is the correct procedure to follow at that point? Change filter then flush or flush then drop pan, change filter, refill?

Thanks for any and all advice.

B.J.

SilveradoWV · July 31, 2003

Actually my Silverado was low from the factory. I think I checked it about 3-4 weeks after I got it and had to add some (less than a 1/2 quart) maybe I lost that much during break in. I need to check mine again!

dukbludvl · July 31, 2003

You probably shouldn't need more than a quart to top it off. I just changed mine on my 00 Yukon with 54K last weekend. Didn't do flush, just dropped pan, changed filter, and added 5 quarts to fill back up. The fluid looked brand new -- a bright red, and very clean, so no need for a flush at this point. Actually, I'll probably never do the flush -- just drop pan, change filter and fill back up every 50K miles. I know that doesn't get all the fluid, but it gets almost half, and the way the fluid looked on mine, I'd say that's good enough. She still shifts real nice for me -- maybe a bit better after the service, but I could just be imaging and improvement.

jhm · July 31, 2003

Checking the fluid when hot, the right way, you are supposed to brake and go thru each gear, waiting a couple seconds in each gear and then put in park and check the level. My tranny was not shifting into 4th until 65mph. They checked it and found the 2-4 band servo ring leaking. The invoice showed only .6 hour labor so it was a minor job. I know these trannys will shift differently depending on how hard you are accelerating. Try accelerating mildly and see if it goes thru each gear at the correct speed/rpm.

cowboy02 · July 31, 2003

You can also set your shift points with a programer........... However if you don't know what you are doing you can really screw up your ride

I would imagine it was low from the factory like someone else stated.....

woyster_00z71 · July 31, 2003

If it has been low from the factory, 57,000 miles on low fluid level doesn't sound like a good thing to me. But I don't know a whole lot about transmissions.

I don't have a programmer so I can't adjust the shift points. I wouldn't think I should have to. This is the first time it has done this and I would consider it abnormal and don't think I would want to cover it up if it is a problem in the making.

So is it advised to do a complete tranny system flush or is just 5 qts of fluid and a new filter enough?

Thanks,

B.J.

dukbludvl · July 31, 2003

people say different things about the full flush. Maybe in your case if you don't mind dropping the cash do the full flush. Make sure you change the filter though. If you can't find a shop that will do the flush and filter change, you should probably change the filter yourself to make sure it gets done. I cleaned out a bit of residue on the magnet in the pan when I did mine -- it was gunky and gray like the lube I use to grease my zerks. I guess it was just very fine metal pieces from break-in and regular wear. Good luck.

debo4x4 · August 1, 2003

I checked mine tonight as well, it is barely showing on the dipstick. How do you add fluid? I was going to take it in at 50k for a change but I only have 41k now. Should I go ahead and take it in? I don't kow why it would be so low now. Thanks in advance.

100R1 · August 1, 2003

Make sure that you check the tranny fluid on LEVEL GROUND if not you will get a false level.

Make sure that your transmission operating temperature is in the normal range. Check after you get home from work, If like me its about 20 miles one way in stop and go traffic. Temperature guage on tranny is about 160° f.. If not up to proper temperature it will registar as low.

As far as changing / flushing fluid, Here is what I allways do.

1) change filter / fluid by droping pan (approx. 5 quarts of fluid)

2) The following weekend, pull drain plug & drain 4 - 5 quarts

refill to proper level

3) After a long vacation of towing travel trailer in mountains, Once back home

pull drain plug and drain 4 - 5 quarts & refill to proper level.

By the above method the amount of "old" fluid is reduced each time. Not as good as a "tranny Flush" but a good alternative.

I do this once a year and the tranny fluid is allways clean and fresh. Never have I found any unusual wear / metals in the filter, fluid or magnet.

I like to cut open the filter element and take a good look for any metal shavings etc.

woyster_00z71 · August 1, 2003

Thanks for all the replies. I picked up some tranny fluid yesterday and added 1/2 qt to it. Now it registers about 3/4 of the way up the hatched operating level. Don't know if it is going to shift any better or not but I will just have to wait and see.

What transmission fluid is everyone using? I don't want to go to synthetic so what is best of the stuff out there? Are there any differences?

Thanks,

B.J.

SilveradoWV · August 2, 2003

I dont use Synthetic either, but just stick with a name brand Dex III!

Tolliverme · August 2, 2003

I have an 01 Silverado LT 5.3 with traction control so there is no direct cable linkage to the throttle body. At about 2300 miles it started hanging up in second gear. At first I just thought it was a fluke. then it happened not every time but frequently. the first time I took it in it had about 6000 miles. It now has almost 30000 and Chevy is buying it back under the florida lemon law because the can't fix it. it pretty much does exactly what you described but then occasionally it will be very slow to shift out of First. The worst case I had was it hung in second, I let off the gas, rpm dropped got back on gas, still in second, got off and on gas again still in second then a couple seconds later it shifted.

They change the computer, the valve body and put synthetic fluid in tranny. Nothing worked.

next week I get new truck.

I must say that when you file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau like it say to in your service manual it works. GM was very responsive.

AZ-Z71 · August 4, 2003

Not to get off subject here, but used the Lemon Law in Florida as well on a Toyota Four Runner. The system worked but it is a long process. Toyota didn't want to settle out so I had to go to abritration which Toyota had to buy it back anyway.