2nd gear gone

[Chris97K1500]

Friday while towing an 18' trailer and 4 ATV's, 2nd gear decided to stop working. After spending $400 on a new Valvebody a couple months ago, the tranny died. Only second gear is messing up, it will take off in 1st and shift into 2nd with no problem, but in 2nd, the rpm's go up and up, it doesn't speed up and the tranny won't shift into 3rd. If I tap the gas a little it will eventually shift into 3rd. Once it's in third, it will drive fine. The shop can't get to it until next Monday, he works only on auto's and said it would cost me $1250 for it to be completely rebuilt. He said he'll beef it up, and I may look into getting a new torque converter put in. If I were to get new torque converter, what's best? I always thought that if 2nd gear goes out, reverse would as well, but I guess all this electronic stuff changes that? Just wanting some advice. Appreciate it! Chris

[dr9672723]

Sympathies. I don't know much about this transmission and all I can say is I hope it's a simple fix. Maybe a low pressure problem? Does it still do it without your trailer now?

 

I do know that most failures will cause clutch friction material and / or metal particles to circulate through your fluid. It's a must to get a new or rebuilt converter, as it's impossible to clean out all the garbage that gets into the turbines of the converter. Good luck.

[GlennRMK]

Did you have the hammer down?

 

My buddy had a 97 Chevy 1/2 ton 350 extra cab auto with a 6" lift and 33s.

 

I was with with and we were pulling an empty 20' enclosed trailer up hill, he had it punched and we were running around 4000 RPM in 2nd up the hill. Then, all of a sudden it seemed like it dropped out of gear and into neutral, as we hit the rev limiter.

 

The truck started smoking as we pulled over and he thought the truck was on fire. I knew better though, cause nothing, and I mean nothing smells worse then burnt tranny fluid.

 

Seems like all 96-98s go through a tranny somewere around 60-120k.

 

I wish I had a stick in mine, but unfortunately they don't make them.

[Cool Zr2]

same thing happened to mine, your 2nd gear isn't bad its the 3-4 clutch packs, they are gone.

 

buy a new tranny

[Chris97K1500]

Thanks, no I didn't have the hammer down I've towed the same amount numerous times down the same road, this time it just stopped working. With the trailer off the truck it doesn't slip as bad, but it still does. When I couldn't take off from a stoplight very well, I pulled over and checked the fluid. It was red, didn't smell and had plenty in it. When the new valvebody was put it a couple months ago I got all new fluid. I don't really care how much, just want it fixed. All I need is 2 more years, then I'll be getting a diesel with an ally or 6 speed. Chris