2000 limited doesn’t want to move in drive

[jman11788]

This is the 2nd time this has happened.

It’s a 2000 limited 3.4 4wd with locker. Got in truck to drive home after work and put the truck in the drive and would barely move. It would rev high and hardly move at all. Shifted to reverse, turned it off etc nothing.. then finally I shifted to 4lo and back to 2 hi and it was fine.
Then the 2nd time it happened (4weeks later) it took a few more tries shifting from 4lo to 2hi to get it back to normal.
Not too worried about it but would like to eliminate it from happening again

Is there some solenoid or sensor that’s causing this ?

 

[Devbot]

Does manually shifting into low or 2nd fix it? My car does this sometimes when the weather is below freezing, happened once or twice when it was warm out but not nearly as frequently. If I remember the car is attempting to start in 3rd gear and it's one of the solenoids going out, though it's been a while since I've read up on it - once I figured how to easily get around it I didn't really care to look into it further

 

[brillo_76]

When was the last time the transmission fluid level was checked?

Was the fluid ever exchanged out with new fluid and the screen filter changed?

Along with devbots suggestions on the solenoids.

Are all possibilities as to why your transmission isn't functioning properly..

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[jman11788]

Does manually shifting into low or 2nd fix it? My car does this sometimes when the weather is below freezing, happened once or twice when it was warm out but not nearly as frequently. If I remember the car is attempting to start in 3rd gear and it's one of the solenoids going out, though it's been a while since I've read up on it - once I figured how to easily get around it I didn't really care to look into it further

Shifting to low or 2nd does not fix it. Truck did it again this am and had to shift to 4lo.

When was the last time the transmission fluid level was checked?

Was the fluid ever exchanged out with new fluid and the screen filter changed?

Along with devbots suggestions on the solenoids.

Are all possibilities as to why your transmission isn't functioning properly..

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I had to replace the transmission shift down cable about 3 months ago and did a drain and fill with the same fluid. Didn't change the filter or use new fluid which is kinda dumb on my end. Was in a huge rush unfortunately

I've read somewhere there is 3 solenoids on the valve body. I may buy all 3, do a drain and fill will new fluid, change the filter and see if that does anything

 

[jgue467]

...

3 solenoids on the valve body. I may buy all 3, do a drain and fill will new fluid, change the filter and see if that does anything

For now I would drain/fill with valvoline import full synthetic (Blue bottle Not the red bottle 'maxlife').

Mine was whinning in 1st thru 3rd, one drain/fill and a couple thousands miles later is slowly went away and now is near silent. Hope it helps yours.

 

[Bad Luck]

Shifting to low or 2nd does not fix it. Truck did it again this am and had to shift to 4lo.





I had to replace the transmission shift down cable about 3 months ago and did a drain and fill with the same fluid. Didn't change the filter or use new fluid which is kinda dumb on my end. Was in a huge rush unfortunately

I've read somewhere there is 3 solenoids on the valve body. I may buy all 3, do a drain and fill will new fluid, change the filter and see if that does anything

Did you verify transmission fluid level after your last repair? I know you said you put back what you caught, but it's still worth verifying in my opinion.

 

[Endlessblockades]

For now I would drain/fill with valvoline import full synthetic (Blue bottle Not the red bottle 'maxlife').

Curious to know why the OP was advised against the Red jug of Maxlife. I have no favorite but happened to use the red jugs last couple drain and fills....

 

[96RedRunner]

I had a torque converter fail in similar fashion, though the 4-lo 2-hi fix points to T-case I'd do some thinking on it before throwing money at it.

 

[phattyduck]

It is conceivable that the transfer case is going into 'awd' mode while the front ADD is still disconnected - but that would be very odd. That should turn on some flashing lights on the dash. But if messing with the 4WD shifter fixes it, that does kinda point to a transfer case issue.

Normally those symptoms would be something like a bad pump in the trans - but then it wouldn't just fix itself and be fine after messing with the 4WD shifter.

-Charlie

 

[3bears]

Curious to know why the OP was advised against the Red jug of Maxlife. I have no favorite but happened to use the red jugs last couple drain and fills....

curious also, as I pretty sure I used the red myself. What ever color it said dex 111 compatible im sure. I dont want to run the wrong stuff. Im thinking timmy in his trans flush video used the red jug

 

[96RedRunner]

It is conceivable that the transfer case is going into 'awd' mode while the front ADD is still disconnected - but that would be very odd. That should turn on some flashing lights on the dash. But if messing with the 4WD shifter fixes it, that does kinda point to a transfer case issue.

Normally those symptoms would be something like a bad pump in the trans - but then it wouldn't just fix itself and be fine after messing with the 4WD shifter.

-Charlie

Oddities and coincidences a lot of that going on here. Ha. Hard to long distance diagnose this.

 

[JohnMc]

It is conceivable that the transfer case is going into 'awd' mode while the front ADD is still disconnected - but that would be very odd. That should turn on some flashing lights on the dash. But if messing with the 4WD shifter fixes it, that does kinda point to a transfer case issue.

Normally those symptoms would be something like a bad pump in the trans - but then it wouldn't just fix itself and be fine after messing with the 4WD shifter.

-Charlie

/\ /\ /\ It seems to be a very pertinent clue that shifting the transfer case back and forth fixed it.

I'm not super up to speed on which 3rd gens had which transfer cases, but an '00 Limited would have the multi-mode AWD case, right?

 

[willyd520]

/\ /\ /\ It seems to be a very pertinent clue that shifting the transfer case back and forth fixed it.

I'm not super up to speed on which 3rd gens had which transfer cases, but an '00 Limited would have the multi-mode AWD case, right?

It should have the multi mode - potentially the actuator on the back isn't engaging so it's thinking it's the TC is in neutral? That wouldn't pop a light on the dash I don't think.

 

[JohnMc]

Next time it does it, try to figure out a way to CAREFULLY AND SAFELY see if the front driveshaft is turning when it won't go. Two people, one in the car, one watching off to the side.

 

[Bad Luck]

/\ /\ /\ It seems to be a very pertinent clue that shifting the transfer case back and forth fixed it.

I'm not super up to speed on which 3rd gens had which transfer cases, but an '00 Limited would have the multi-mode AWD case, right?

It should have the multi mode - potentially the actuator on the back isn't engaging so it's thinking it's the TC is in neutral? That wouldn't pop a light on the dash I don't think.

If the transfer case thinks it's in neutral it will turn a light on the instrument cluster to let you know. Also, with the multimode transfer case the high/low range shift is still performed manually with the transfer case shift lever. This would indicate to me the issue is with the transfer case and not the transmission.

EDIT: The shift lever manually controls high/low AND neutral. The transfer case actuator controls 2wd/4wd unlocked/4wd locked.

 

[spartacus]

Is it throwing any codes. The symptoms point to a bad solenoid.

 

[Mark_BC]

This exact thing happened to me and I posted it here but no one had a clue. 2000 limited multi mode. It's done it 3 times. Twice when starting from cold, it was like the torque converter just wasn't transmitting the power. I could rev it and it would barely move. Shifting gears fixed it and after a minute it came back to normal. I since did many thousands of km with it not returning. A month ago it did it again, with the engine warm in the middle of driving around the city, before going up a big hill... I limped up the hill with reduced power. Then less than a minute later it was fine again.

Last year I did a complete fluid change as per Timmy's video, using the good stuff recommended. Old fluid wasnt very bad. It has nothing to do with that.

People think solenoid? Why would it happen only 3 times over 3 years and 10,000 km, and only last a minute each time? Talk about an intermittent problem hard to diagnose... :crazy:

 

[brillo_76]

This exact thing happened to me and I posted it here but no one had a clue. 2000 limited multi mode. It's done it 3 times. Twice when starting from cold, it was like the torque converter just wasn't transmitting the power. I could rev it and it would barely move. Shifting gears fixed it and after a minute it came back to normal. I since did many thousands of km with it not returning. A month ago it did it again, with the engine warm in the middle of driving around the city, before going up a big hill... I limped up the hill with reduced power. Then less than a minute later it was fine again.



Last year I did a complete fluid change as per Timmy's video, using the good stuff recommended. Old fluid wasnt very bad. It has nothing to do with that.



People think solenoid? Why would it happen only 3 times over 3 years and 10,000 km, and only last a minute each time? Talk about an intermittent problem hard to diagnose... :crazy:

Extremely odd? So are you thinking transmission doing it or transfer?


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[Mark_BC]

Extremely odd? So are you thinking transmission doing it or transfer?


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Feels like transmission to me

 

[brillo_76]

Feels like transmission to me

Ok. I am wondering. If fluid condition has anything to do with this. Along with the screen filter? As these screens clog up. Reducing fluid flow that will in time burn the bands and clutch. Not to mention fluid being full of contaminants.

Granted, if the damage is done nothing will correct it. This is why I change my filter and fluid analog with cleaning my magnets every 100k.

I figure good lubricating fluid with a clean screen filter will let the transmission function as best as it can.

Well this is my theory anyhow.

And those folks saying their transmission died after fluid exchange transmissions where serverly damaged before the exchange of fluid. Their clutches were gone and all that material was in the fluid. Their bands were all burnt because the fluid pressure was to low with a clogged filter and Their fluid was sand blasting fluid.

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