Just got my 2004 Certified Used Crew Cab

[Kyle401]

I have been a loyal GM customer since I have been able to drive. (The only non-GM that I have ever owned was the Taurus that came with my wife when we got married.) So after several years of thinking about trading in my '92 Chevy C1500 4.3L LB, I naturally headed to the local Chevy dealership to look at trucks.

 

After visiting several of the local dealerships and test driving multiple half-ton 5.3L equipped Silverado Ext Cabs (at dealerships that didn't have a certified used Crew) we found the truck we were looking for. A red Crew Cab Z71 16,700 mi., Certified Used, with heated leather seats, power everything, XM, Onstar, 3.73 rear end with locking differential, tow package, Autotrac 4wd, the works. We took the truck out for a short test drive and found that it handled and performed much like the extended cabs that we had previously tested.

 

At that point we were satisfied and struck a deal. We cleaned out the old truck and headed off for home 50 miles away. The first sign of trouble came when we were almost home. We exited the 4 lane highway and began crusing at approximately the speed limit of 50 mph when the truck shuddered slightly like it had a momentary loss of drive.

 

I have since been able to duplicate the problem by pressing lightly on the accelerator (also in cruise) between 40 and 50 mph when the transmission is warm and under a slight load (i.e. going up a hill). I took my new truck in to the local dealer on tuesday to investigate the issue and was able to duplicate the problem for the technician during a ride-along. He indicated that he was not familiar with this problem on any other late model Silveradoes, but he agreed that there definately is a problem. They said they would investigate and get back to me. In the meantime I was given a '04 Malibu classic as a loaner.

 

I just got a call and they still can't figure out what the problem is (no codes, no help from corporate) so they are going to pull my transmission and go through it. The earliest I will get it back is next Monday. The transmission is the 4L60E RPO M30 which I thought was an evolutionary cousin to my 92's 700R4. Have there been a lot of problems with this tranny? I have read on this site about some who have clunking and firm shifts from 1-2 but my truck didn't do any of that. It just shudders under light throttle between 40 and 60 mph. I checked the transmission fluid and engine oil and both were fine.

 

Sorry for the long story, but I'm a little bummed.

[rebelvigilante]

I have been a loyal GM customer since I have been able to drive.  (The only non-GM that I have ever owned was the Taurus that came with my wife when we got married.)  So after several years of thinking about trading in my '92 Chevy C1500 4.3L LB, I naturally headed to the local Chevy dealership to look at trucks. 

 

After visiting several of the local dealerships and test driving multiple half-ton 5.3L equipped Silverado Ext Cabs (at dealerships that didn't have a certified used Crew) we found the truck we were looking for.  A red Crew Cab Z71 16,700 mi., Certified Used, with heated leather seats, power everything, XM, Onstar, 3.73 rear end with locking differential, tow package, Autotrac 4wd, the works.  We took the truck out for a short test drive and found that it handled and performed much like the extended cabs that we had previously tested. 

 

At that point we were satisfied and struck a deal.  We cleaned out the old truck and headed off for home 50 miles away.  The first sign of trouble came when we were almost home.  We exited the 4 lane highway and began crusing at approximately the speed limit of 50 mph when the truck shuddered slightly like it had a momentary loss of drive. 

 

I have since been able to duplicate the problem by pressing lightly on the accelerator (also in cruise) between 40 and 50 mph when the transmission is warm and under a slight load (i.e. going up a hill).  I took my new truck in to the local dealer on tuesday to investigate the issue and was able to duplicate the problem for the technician during a ride-along.  He indicated that he was not familiar with this problem on any other late model Silveradoes, but he agreed that there definately is a problem.  They said they would investigate and get back to me.  In the meantime I was given a '04 Malibu classic as a loaner. 

 

I just got a call and they still can't figure out what the problem is (no codes, no help from corporate) so they are going to pull my transmission and go through it.  The earliest I will get it back is next Monday.  The transmission is the 4L60E RPO M30 which I thought was an evolutionary cousin to my 92's 700R4.  Have there been a lot of problems with this tranny?  I have read on this site about some who have clunking and firm shifts from 1-2 but my truck didn't do any of that.  It just shudders under light throttle between 40 and 60 mph.  I checked the transmission fluid and engine oil and both were fine.

 

Sorry for the long story, but I'm a little bummed. 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

is it trying to shift?

 

i dont know, but i'm pretty sure it's certified that the dealership has something like 30 days and X-number of tries to get it right before you can just return it, so i'd just be lucky you caught it before it was a real pain in your ass

[Kyle401]

is it trying to shift?

 

i dont know, but i'm pretty sure it's certified that the dealership has something like 30 days and X-number of tries to get it right before you can just return it, so i'd just be lucky you caught it before it was a real pain in your ass

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I can't tell if it's trying to shift or the torque converter is rapidly unlocking and re-locking. It results in a shudder like the drivetrain is rapidly alternating between transmitting torque and not transmitting torque. The engine rpm raises only slightly; 100-200 rpm.

 

The certified used program does result in a 30 day/3000 mile extension of the factory warranty to 37 month/39,000 mi. There is also a 3 day buyback guarantee (recieve trade value equivalent to purchase price, no outright buyback). Unfortunately, I was not aware of the 3 day limitation until I inquired about the buyback guarantee when I took the truck in for service 5 days after my purchase.

 

I don't know how Missouri Lemon Laws apply to Certified Used vehicles, but I am glad this problem came up now and not in 2-3 years. Hopefully this will be resolved under warranty and the truck will be as reliable as my previous '92.

[Ted_Grevers]

A shutter at highway speeds under light acceleration could be lug nuts that are not tight.. That's what happened to me on my 1991 Ford Explorer. I just installed new tires, and later that afternoon pulled a very heavy trailer The lugs backed their way off, because they were not properly torqued, and, the weight of the trailer didn't help.

 

-ted

[asepgrad98]

kinda sounds like a similar problem i remember on here that replacing the transfer case with a re-designed one fixed.

[RyanbabZ71]

I have since been able to duplicate the problem by pressing lightly on the accelerator (also in cruise) between 40 and 50 mph when the transmission is warm and under a slight load (i.e. going up a hill)

 

I had a situation with my 00 between 40 and 50. Its hard to describe but the answer was the torque converter was locking up to early. There was a TSB and the dealership did a reprogram and all was fine.

 

Have they looked at the TSBs?

[rebelvigilante]

i was going to say it might have something to do with the torque converter, and it looks to be on the right track with what other people are now saying

[Kyle401]

Thanks for the replys. I haven't heard anything from the dealer yet, but I plan to drop by or call later this afternoon for a status report. I'll keep you posted.

 

As far as the TSB's go, I would presume that they checked them fairly thoroughly before deciding to tear down my transmission, but you never know.

[fossil]

If I were you I would get GM extended warranty put on that thing before your 30 days are up, even if its another 2000 bucks. After that 30 day period is up, you're on your own. I'm sure you'll be using it.

[Truckman031]

He is still under factory warranty.

[93GreenDemon]

Sounds like transmission shutter to me.It could be one a few different things like converter,solenoid,PCM programming,to several different things.I have seen more than a few new Full size trucks come in with tranny problems.None of them the same but all tranny related.The 4L6OE is a good tranny that many people have 200k plus on which makes me wonder why so many late models are having problems.Hoep it works out and don't settle for nothing but a fixed problem.

[Kyle401]

Well, I was driving by the dealership this morning on my way to work and I saw my truck sitting outside. I dropped by over lunch and they said that they rebuilt the transmission and it eliminated the problem. They are now waiting on a lower front shock bushing to eliminate a squeaking noise that I had mentioned. I left the truck there until they get the bushing installed. I didn't ask for a specific description of what was wrong with the transmission, but I plan to ask for a copy of the work order when I pick my truck up. Once again, I'll keep you posted.

[Kyle401]

Well, I picked the truck up Monday night and the work order came in the mail yesterday. So far the problem seems to be fixed.

 

It turns out they didn't rebuild the transmission as the service manager had indicated, but the clutch pack in the transfer case.

 

Part Numbers

24234831 (gasket) - 1

(F)12473054 (Plate) - 10

12345739 (sealant) - 1

12547638 (seal) - 1

12378508 (fluid) - 2

[Truckman031]

Cool, hope that fixed the problem. It could have been defective from the factory and just started acting up after you bought it.