Tahoe 02 - Reverse Not Engaging When Engine Is Cold

[CYOKOM]

For the last two days I have experience this problem

 

When I start my truck up in the morning and shift it in reverse, it acts as if its in neutral and wont engage. After a couple minutes of revving it a bit and shifting it in Forward(works just fine) and back into Reverse it will take off. Once the engine finally engages, the problem goes away completely.

 

Any ideas? What should I look for or at? Should note that we are experiencing temps below zero (-15ish).

 

Thanks,

Chris

[pwall]

I don't think the cold is affecting it....-15F is cold but not cold enough. ;)

Have you checked the fluid level in the transmission and has it ever been changed ?

[CYOKOM]

I haven't checked the levels. I will do that when my wife gets home tonight. I did get flushed last summer.

[C & A s Dad]

In older non electronically controlled transmissions, this condition would occur when the filter was beginning to get restricted. They would typically pull forward but would not back up when the fluid was cold and thick. Once warmed up, they were fine.

 

I would question if the "trans flush" job included dropping the pan and replacing the filter??? If not, this could be your problem. You cannot properly flush a filter made with paper media and yours is paper.

 

Check the fluid level first, if it is full, I would suggest you change the filter or have it done if you are not comfortable doing it.

[CYOKOM]

In older non electronically controlled transmissions, this condition would occur when the filter was beginning to get restricted. They would typically pull forward but would not back up when the fluid was cold and thick. Once warmed up, they were fine.

 

Does an 02 tahoe have non electronically controlled transmissions?

[C & A s Dad]

Oh yea. It is a "fluid drive" but there are enough electronics connected to it to navigate the first Apolo space craft.

[gmtech4]

Oh yea. It is a "fluid drive" but there are enough electronics connected to it to navigate the first Apolo space craft.

 

as a tranny guy ,I can tell you that you should leave it overnight at a dealer who has a tranny guy to check the emptied clutch piston,it probably does it if shifted into a forward gear,saw this up north,found a piston seal rolled over and empties overnight ,but good all day,have a pro look at it ,

[CYOKOM]

Thanks for all the replys.

 

Checked the fluid level last night. It was just blow the bottom mark. Not sure if that little amount could make a difference.

 

Last summer I had the tranny flushed at Tires Plus. I am calling them this morning to see if they typically drop the pan and change the filter. Should have went to a dealer. I am going to call a dealer this morning and setup a time to have another flush done. I will also mention the issue that I am having, so they can make any oberservations as they go.

 

This morning it did the samething. Let it run for no more than 2 mins and it worked just fine. Just thought I would share.

 

Wish me luck,

Chris

[C & A s Dad]

Chris,

 

I think you have received some good advice from Robert and it sounds like you are following it.

 

I have also heard that some Dealerships have taken the short road with the "flush only"method. I have not personally seen this and Robert may enlighten us more on this topic. I would hope your Dealer would drop the pan for you and change that filter.

 

 

Let us know what happens.

[CYOKOM]

The Tahoe is going in on Monday. Also, called Tires Plus and they didn't drop the pan or change the filter. Hopefully, this is the issue. The dealership told me that they will drop the pan and look for anything out of the ordinary. They also mentioned something about interior seals that can stiffen causing an issue until they warm.

 

Should know more on Monday. Again, thanks for all the help!!

[gmtech4]

The Tahoe is going in on Monday. Also, called Tires Plus and they didn't drop the pan or change the filter. Hopefully, this is the issue. The dealership told me that they will drop the pan and look for anything out of the ordinary. They also mentioned something about interior seals that can stiffen causing an issue until they warm.

 

Should know more on Monday. Again, thanks for all the help!!

 

 

hi again,flushes do not fix anything ,do not do one with this case,leave it overnight for them to feel the delay,

[CYOKOM]

I am sorry. I should mentioned that I am leaving at the dealership on Sunday night, so that they can experience the issue for themselves Monday morning. Inside, I am just hoping that its nothing serious and that maybe when Tires Plus did the flush, they caused this issue by not removing the pan or replacing the filter. Should know more on Monday.

 

Thanks again for all the advice and help. I do feel a little be better having some knowledge of the situation.

Chris

[HawkScot]

Also note that even if the shop that flushed it did change the filter, you could still have an issue of needing to do it again, especially if the fluid had been neglected prior. The trans fluid is high detergent and when it is flushed, all the new clean fluid can have a cleaning effect, resulting in "stuff" in the pan, plugging the filter up...

 

Hope all you need is a pan drop, filter change, new fluid... I don't do the flush ever, just change the fluid 50k miles... (don't let the fluid get to the point a flush is needed). When I buy used rigs, I drop the pan, change the filter, put in new fluid. If the fluid is dirty or the filter/pan really dirty, then service it again in 10-15k miles...

[CYOKOM]

Hate to keep adding to this, but I do find kind of weird that at 75K I have a flush done. 6 months later 5k miles, this starts happening out of the blue.

 

I really want to drop the pan myself and see what the filter looks like, but since I am not a mechanic and wouldn't what to if it was more serious, I will just pay the money (kills me) and let the pros evaluate it.

[HawkScot]

Maybe the shop will let you wait outside and then bring the pan and filter to you when they drop it so you can see it.... have an idea of what you are looking at for next time..