4L65E frustration- Shift issues
I've got an 03' Hummer H2. 6.0L with a 4L65E behind it. Completely stock except for the 37" tires. In September I lost all gears besides first. First thing I did was replace my shift solenoids. Nothing!! Its at 175k so it was due for a fresh tranny, I decided to give the rebuild a try myself.
It was my first rebuild so I went with a complete rebuild kit from Monster Transmission. They also recommended a 1650 stall torque converter. (stock is 1300) The rebuild went great and everything went together smooth.
Clearly I didn't do something right. I had all gears except for 2nd. I could not get it shift out of first until I let off the gas. 3rd and 4th were completely normal. Manually shifting into 2nd did nothing and kept it in 1st. I checked my Servo 3 times, replaced the forward accumulator piston (the plastic one snapped) and the 1-2 accumulator piston to a metal one. Still nothing

No codes at all and the fluid looked good. (I know I shouldn't have) but I took it for a ride on the highway... blew the pump. Figured this was my chance to tear it down and take a look.
Finished the 2nd rebuild last week. Went through everything and checked to make sure everything was in order. Also bought a new pump. Everything looks fine on the inside. I went through the valve body throughly to make sure nothing was getting hung up, looked great. Reinstalled a stock torque converter with a 1300 stall speed.
On test drive, it drove the same as before. 1st was fine, Would only shift if i let off the gas, and would go right into 3rd, 4th seemed fine. I noticed that when I drive uphill from a dead stop it will shift into 2nd but it feels like its slipping, then pops right into 3rd. Only happens when going uphill. I can manually shift it into second but it yet again feels like its slipping. I checked the servo twice and it looks fine. During a test drive code P0757 popped up. "shift solenoid B stuck on" So I swapped it out and cleared the code. Still nothing.
So frustrated at this point, ready to throw it out and put a 5 speed haha. The other forums seem to either know nothing... or just tell me to give it to a pro and stick to carpentry. lol Any help in the right direction would be great. Thanks guys. Sorry its so long just want you guys to have the full story.

And congrats on having the fortitude to rebuild a transmission; even if you had a few problems. We will try to help you figure this out.
Since the PCM completely controls the shifting, my first step would be to connect a scanner that shows the commanded gear to be sure the PCM is working correctly.
Next I would confirm that the servo end play is correct. With a ruler nearby press on the servo cover with a crowbar and estimate how far it moves in. The spec is .075 to .125 (about 1/16" to 1/8"). Around .185 you will start to slip in either 2nd or 4th.
Next, I would swap out the pressure manifold switch (on the VB) as this tell the PCM which position the shifter is in. Some of the weirdest shifting problem reported here were fixed by replacing it.
No, don't take it to a pro to fix it, but you might consider taking it to a locally owned trans shop if you don't have a scanner that car read and command gear positions.
Also measure and post your servo end play here and we'll go from there.
Next I would confirm that the servo end play is correct. With a ruler nearby press on the servo cover with a crowbar and estimate how far it moves in. The spec is .075 to .125 (about 1/16" to 1/8"). Around .185 you will start to slip in either 2nd or 4th.
Also measure and post your servo end play here and we'll go from there.

Got a chance to get it in the garage today. By the images attached you can see the cover sits 1/16 proud. When pushed in it sits 1/8 deep. By my advanced mathematical calculations, it has an overall end play of 3/16.
Is that enough to effect it?
Does a bad PMC throw a code? I've got to find a local guy to take it to test it.
Here are some threads on lengthening the servo pin:
Lengthened Servo Pin:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...t-trouble.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...-gear-all.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...ckup-help.html
Worked:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...cond-only.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...e-2-fixed.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...-4th-gear.html
I don't understand why your servo has so much end play assuming you replace the band and haven't put many abusive miles on it.
Another idea would be to buy a Sonnax 2nd gear and 4th gear servo. The 2nd gear servo comes with a new/custom servo pin which you have to grind down for even the minimal 1/16" end play.
If you have the Transgo HD2 shift kit, it comes with big servo spacers which can also be used to tighten up the servo.
Thanks,
Matt





