Transmission Downshift Problem

[jbeckman]

I have a 2003 Sonoma 4WD. My initial problem was no fourth gear with a shift solenoid code. So I replaced the 3-4 shift solenoid and installed a Transgo shift kit (at least the parts that go in the valve body).

 

After I did that my fourth gear was back. However, after driving awhile (maybe a mile, maybe 30) it won't downshift to first and wants to start out in third. It will manually downshift though. It magically goes away after the truck is parked while and then returns while driving which should rule out trash in the valve body.

 

I've read that it is possibly a bad ignition switch. Is there an easy way to troubleshoot that or other possibilities.

 

Thanks for your time,

 

Johnny Beckman

Georgia Boy

[fireman32_14]

sounds like your transmission is in limp mode, i used to have a 96 sonoma and it would start out in third gear, turned out their were a bunch of seals bad inside

[jbeckman]

The part I can't get is it drives fine when first starting out. Then at some point in time it decides I'm not getting enough excersise in my right arm and forces me to manually shift. It's a good thing my '96 Sonoma is a straight shift. It has 200k plus miles and the only problem I've had is a timing chain tensioner.

[fireman32_14]

something is causing it to go into limp home mode once it gets warmed up is what it sounds like, mine did the exact opposite, it only did it when it was cold, if i got it warmed up then shut it off and started it back up it would drive fine, i'd say go to a local trannsmission shop and have them hook a scanner up to it to see if they could see anything wrong, if not they might have to disassemble it like they did mine.

[cwh]

Had a similar problem with an auto tranny out here at work. It ended up being a grounding issue. Double check or add a ground strap from your transmission to the chassis. That did the trick on our rig. Darn electronic transmissions.

 

Chris