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2003 tahoe 5.3 non flex , back in 2018, I installed the transgo kit and the other stuff , transmission was good till a couple of weeks ago .From 2nd to 3rd gear it goes into neutral/slipping , No Engine Light
Last edited by GrumpyBstrd4L6LS1; Jan 27, 2023 at 06:35 PM.
First Im gonna disconnect VSS , and check PCM at connector for corrosion. Parking is a problem, where I live , So hopefully, I can do it one of the weekends coming up ,then I need to physically check it, Im gonna make my list of parts, and order them, drop the pan , first look for chunks of clutch , if it seems good . Im gonna try and concentrate on the 2-3 shift , area of the valve body , note to self. Change the harness and the A n B solenoids and the other solenoids and manifold ,also I remember ,when I did the valve body plate that some hole was not looking to good and might have enlarged , so valve plate/ gaskets and the 2-3 valve, also there is a Abuse kit, I will probally leave the other parts I purchased alone and wait and see outcome😒💣🎲
Last edited by GrumpyBstrd4L6LS1; Jan 27, 2023 at 08:31 PM.
First Im gonna disconnect VSS , and check PCM at connector for corrosion. Parking is a problem, where I live , So hopefully, I can do it one of the weekends coming up ,then I need to physically check it, Im gonna make my list of parts, and order them, drop the pan , first look for chunks of clutch , if it seems good . Im gonna try and concentrate on the 2-3 shift , area of the valve body , note to self. Change the harness and the A n B solenoids and the other solenoids and manifold ,also I remember ,when I did the valve body plate that some hole was not looking to good and might have enlarged , so valve plate/ gaskets and the 2-3 valve, also there is a Abuse kit, I will probally leave the other parts I purchased alone and wait and see outcome😒💣🎲
Maybe I should not disconnect the VSS and drive it , could be once this happens it is better not to try and drive it over a certain speed to be able to save it . and just pull the pan and inspect.? hmm 😒
If I am understanding correctly this trans is original to your truck and has not been rebuilt? In post #7 you disconnected trans harness and still had slipping in 3rd gear? Does the fluid look dark and brunt? If 2nd gear is holding and it shifts and there is no gear the shift solenoid is working, or it would have just stayed in 2nd gear if the solenoid didn't turn off. The 1st thing I would do before throwing any more parts at it, is drop the pan and inspect the contents.
What I can make out from your posts is it sounds like the 3-4 clutch pack is worn out. It won't matter what valve body parts and servos you put in it they are not going to bring those frictions back. This is dependent on 3rd gear slipping with trans harness disconnected, sorry but is looks like you will need a rebuild.
Last edited by bbond105; Jan 28, 2023 at 01:28 AM.
I am gonna try and drop the pan tomarrow, as soon as I get a chance and post pics, from what I read from other members the TransGo SK kit ,I installed changes transmission characteristics, so instead of going into 3rd gear with trans harness disconnected it goes into 1st and 2nd
With the shifter in overdrive or drive when you disconnect the trans harness the trans will default to 3rd gear. For the trans to shift into 3rd gear both shift solenoids are turned off. When you disconnect the trans harness or remove the fuse that powers the trans you are removing the power to both shift solenoids turning them off and forcing 3rd gear.
Last edited by GrumpyBstrd4L6LS1; Jan 29, 2023 at 11:55 AM.
Reason: Looks like it is toast! Dam !Now should I get a trans with a long parts and Labor anty? How long? Low mile trans or rebuilt ?
That's quite a bit of debris and burnt fluid. I have see far worse in less time. When you first actually got the pan loose. If you got a huge blast of a burnt odor, you can more than likely take it to the bank the 3-4 clutch is gone.. Time to pull it and rebuild it.
Here's a picture of fluid from one that made it 58 mile's on a defective NEW EPC solenoid. It spit a code for it and I told the customer not to drive it, he drove it anyway...
I never smelled any burnt smell even when I dropped the pan, but I see alot of metal tiny shavings and that gunk on the magnet! Mine has the transgo sk kit in it, so what I read, from other members saying that mine won't go into 3rd gear because I have the transgo kit , it just goes into 1st and 2nd and reverse . I did not disconnect the VSS, would that possible force it to go into 3rd gear to make sure it is toast , with the pan dropped it visually looks that way??
I dont have time to rebuild it right now so, Im going to have to buy a used low mile or rebuilt ,because I already got my hands full with my project engine Lt1 for my vette , and just maintaining the families cars to keep going for work and school parking sucks!
Mine has the transgo sk kit in it, so what I read, from other members saying that mine won't go into 3rd gear because I have the transgo kit , it just goes into 1st and 2nd and reverse .
i don't think this is the case at all. if no power and lever in 4th, 3rd or 2nd it will be in 3rd. if lever is pulled into manual 1st, then it will be in 1st.
I read with the transmission harness disconnected , with a transgo sk kit, it will not let it go into 3rd , another 4l60e with no trango sk kit will go into 3rd gear with the transmission connector disconnected , unless I understood incorrectly? what about the VSS , I did not disconnect it does that even matter? for testing?
in the SK transgo kit I don't believe you change or modify the 1-2 shift valve as was discussed earlier in this thread. however, you do in the HD2 kit but you have stated multiple times you are running the SK kit.
I never smelled any burnt smell even when I dropped the pan, but I see alot of metal tiny shavings and that gunk on the magnet! Mine has the transgo sk kit in it, so what I read, from other members saying that mine won't go into 3rd gear because I have the transgo kit , it just goes into 1st and 2nd and reverse . I did not disconnect the VSS, would that possible force it to go into 3rd gear to make sure it is toast , with the pan dropped it visually looks that way??
Disconnecting the VSS will only allow first gear. The VSS signal is required for the PCM to calculate the shift speed.
The only way to force 3rd. gear is to disconnect the main connector or remove the fuse. That takes the power away from the solenoids.
The TransGo Shift kit has nothing to do with the lack of 3rd & 4th gears. The TransGo SK addresses known problem area's, such as worn AFL,PR, TCC circuits. They also make changes to the accumalators for shift feel. There are thing's to look for the 3-4 clutch at or vacuum test on the VB for it too.
Electronic transmissions are somewhat stupid. They only do what they are told...
Actually, yes the 4l60e pump has a very large volume capability. So leaks may not be easily seen, Things to look for are slower recovery times during a shift at a fixed line pressure compared to other gears or slightly lower pressure in a gear over others.
Hi, everyone, thanks for the input so far, I was able to mess around with the transmission a little , I replaced the ignition switch and the power wire to alternator and starter , reason was intermittently it would not start randomly . but did not fix my 3rd and 4th gear nuetral/slipping, next I dropped the pan again cleaned out the filter and the 2 to 3 valve and shuttle valve ,cleaned it out and swapped solenoids , road tested same issue ,not fixed , at this point , I am going to have to put a transmission in. I am gonna look around for a warranty for at least a year on parts and labor , hopefully find something. I want to attempt and rebuild my transmission , I first and going to put a transmission in and then slowly rebuild mine any good rebuild kits ? anyone suggest ? just want a good daily driver , and good firm shifts ,fun to drive
