Transmission problem

[Bill325]

Well, the surprises on my 2000 GMC Sierra just keep coming. First it was the gas gauge, then the piston slap. Now, after a long run at 55-60 mph, the transmission shifted really hard into second and into third gear , for several blocks . After sitting for an hour, it shifted normally, and the problem has only happened once. No trouble code has been set yet, but it may have to happen more than once to set a code. I read the several posts on similar problems using this forum's search function, ( several answers courtesy of Molson02536) and I bought a subscription to the Technical Service Bulletins from Alldata. It would seem there's more than one possibility as to the cause. I'm beginning to see why the last owner of my truck only kept it for 3 months. I owned two 1989 Chevy pickups ,and drove one to 220,000 miles, and the other to 190,000 miles. Neither truck suffered any transmission problems, piston noises, or bad gas gauges. But my 2000 GMC, kept in nearly showroom condition, maintained carefully, and treated gently, is falling apart with 119,000 miles on it. What I see is, as technology marches forward, reliability marches backwards. It's almost enough to make a man buy a Ford . ( Sorry for using the 4 letter "F" word.)

 

[Man In Black]

Well, the surprises on my 2000 GMC Sierra just keep coming. First it was the gas gauge, then the piston slap. Now, after a long run at 55-60 mph, the transmission shifted really hard into second and into third gear , for several blocks . After sitting for an hour, it shifted normally, and the problem has only happened once. No trouble code has been set yet, but it may have to happen more than once to set a code. I read the several posts on similar problems using this forum's search function, ( several answers courtesy of Molson02536) and I bought a subscription to the Technical Service Bulletins from Alldata. It would seem there's more than one possibility as to the cause. I'm beginning to see why the last owner of my truck only kept it for 3 months. I owned two 1989 Chevy pickups ,and drove one to 220,000 miles, and the other to 190,000 miles. Neither truck suffered any transmission problems, piston noises, or bad gas gauges. But my 2000 GMC, kept in nearly showroom condition, maintained carefully, and treated gently, is falling apart with 119,000 miles on it. What I see is, as technology marches forward, reliability marches backwards. It's almost enough to make a man buy a Ford . ( Sorry for using the 4 letter "F" word.)

No ! Please don't buy a Ford. I do truck metal restoration and if it weren't for Ford and Dodge trucks, I would go out of business. The ford body style 2000 and up are rotting underneith like they have termites while the outer bodies stay pretty nice usually. The Dodges are having major rust problems with the frames , especially around the steering boxes and the outer body panels just disappear into the wind. Keep your GMC , Not perfect but way better.

 

[Molson02536]

Well, the surprises on my 2000 GMC Sierra just keep coming. First it was the gas gauge, then the piston slap. Now, after a long run at 55-60 mph, the transmission shifted really hard into second and into third gear , for several blocks . After sitting for an hour, it shifted normally, and the problem has only happened once. No trouble code has been set yet, but it may have to happen more than once to set a code. I read the several posts on similar problems using this forum's search function, ( several answers courtesy of Molson02536) and I bought a subscription to the Technical Service Bulletins from Alldata. It would seem there's more than one possibility as to the cause. I'm beginning to see why the last owner of my truck only kept it for 3 months. I owned two 1989 Chevy pickups ,and drove one to 220,000 miles, and the other to 190,000 miles. Neither truck suffered any transmission problems, piston noises, or bad gas gauges. But my 2000 GMC, kept in nearly showroom condition, maintained carefully, and treated gently, is falling apart with 119,000 miles on it. What I see is, as technology marches forward, reliability marches backwards. It's almost enough to make a man buy a Ford . ( Sorry for using the 4 letter "F" word.)

Start with the simple and replace the TPS, worn TPS will tend to do this to the transmission when the engine compartment gets hot and then all is good again for a few days, weeks or months.

The other issue could be a worn boost valve and sleeve where as to the EPC valve is compensating for the drop of transmission fluid pressure in the system.

As mentioned start with the TPS and then service the transmission if it's time and have them replace the boost valve and Sleeve which take only an extra 10 Min to replace and cost under $40.00 for the part.

http://www.sonnax.com/system/instructions/HP-4L60E-01-IN.pdf

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TCI-374420/

Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[Average_Trucker]

This is why I own a 1989 gmc

Frame is rust free, cab rear corner's got some rust, and both my rear quarters are going. But its a solid truck. I've seen newer gmc's just rotting away.

 

[Bill325]

I agree that the '89 GMC and Chevy pickups are good trucks. I've owned two of them , and drove both out to around 200,000 miles. The only thing better would be a slightly earlier truck that uses a carburetor instead of electronic fuel injection. Technology marches forward, but reliability marches backwards, as does my ability to cheaply and easily diagnosis and repair the truck. I'll gladly give up a little fuel economy for simplicity.

 

[happy 2011]

well i would have to disagree that the older trucks are better than todays tks.

Maybe not as far as fixing them your self but you can learn about fuel injection if you wanted to repair your tk your self.Take a class or read online. I'ts really not that hard when you break it down and UNDER STAND how it works. But like all things you can't fix it if you don't under stand how it works.

You can buy hand held scan tools today for a hundred bucks, volt meter for forty bucks , and a twenty dollar test light and last a forty five dollar fuel pressure tester is all you need to diag ninty five percent fuel injection problems.

 

[dirtclod]

well i would have to disagree that the older trucks are better than todays tks.

Maybe not as far as fixing them your self but you can learn about fuel injection if you wanted to repair your tk your self.Take a class or read online. I'ts really not that hard when you break it down and UNDER STAND how it works. But like all things you can't fix it if you don't under stand how it works.

You can buy hand held scan tools today for a hundred bucks, volt meter for forty bucks , and a twenty dollar test light and last a forty five dollar fuel pressure tester is all you need to diag ninty five percent fuel injection problems.

+1 Great advice. The stated tools give a guy a fighting chance