I have a 1999 Suburban 1500 (2WD) automatic with 212,000 miles.
I was stuck in the mud today, and put the vehicle into 2nd gear. It didn't want to go into 1st gear. After driving a few feet (and a few tries), I convinced it to go into 1st gear. I was still stuck, even with boards behind both back tires. I don't remember the exact sequence of events, but soon I noticed the gear shift stick didn't do anything -- it just goes up and down, across the whole spectrum (park, reverse, drive, neutral, 2, 1) and nothing clicks or sets.*
The shame is that this vehicle was in great shape before. Up till now, it never spontaneously revved, knocked, made any strange noises, or had any shifting or transmission problems. I read though the forums of other high-mileage Suburban owners, and I can't relate at all. Problems going into different gears, problems getting into drive, transmission going out, high RPMs, etc. -- all foreign to me. Now all the sudden I can't shift into any gear?
Did my old faithful Suburban just have the equivalent of a freak heart attack and subsequent death?
We don't drive it much anymore, but I do regularly use a 16' utility trailer with it. One time (over 3 years ago) we towed a very heavy bobcat -- that probably didn't do the transmission any favors. Other than that, I usually just have a riding mower on that huge 16' trailer. I don't tow heavy loads or anything.
I sure wish I hadn't parked my car behind my house last night. I had no idea it was going to rain. When we get even 1/2 inch, the yard becomes slick clay muck with 0 friction. Our soil here is horrible.
Anyhow, did my transmission just die?
I was stuck in the mud today, and put the vehicle into 2nd gear. It didn't want to go into 1st gear. After driving a few feet (and a few tries), I convinced it to go into 1st gear. I was still stuck, even with boards behind both back tires. I don't remember the exact sequence of events, but soon I noticed the gear shift stick didn't do anything -- it just goes up and down, across the whole spectrum (park, reverse, drive, neutral, 2, 1) and nothing clicks or sets.*
The shame is that this vehicle was in great shape before. Up till now, it never spontaneously revved, knocked, made any strange noises, or had any shifting or transmission problems. I read though the forums of other high-mileage Suburban owners, and I can't relate at all. Problems going into different gears, problems getting into drive, transmission going out, high RPMs, etc. -- all foreign to me. Now all the sudden I can't shift into any gear?
Did my old faithful Suburban just have the equivalent of a freak heart attack and subsequent death?
We don't drive it much anymore, but I do regularly use a 16' utility trailer with it. One time (over 3 years ago) we towed a very heavy bobcat -- that probably didn't do the transmission any favors. Other than that, I usually just have a riding mower on that huge 16' trailer. I don't tow heavy loads or anything.
I sure wish I hadn't parked my car behind my house last night. I had no idea it was going to rain. When we get even 1/2 inch, the yard becomes slick clay muck with 0 friction. Our soil here is horrible.
Anyhow, did my transmission just die?