Trans issue

[Stuntmonkey]

Hi all,

Picked up a 97 Limited this week. 110k miles, super clean, just a few scratches on the flares from some retarded driving.

Only issue I have, is when the truck is cold, when you select drive, it doesn't engage until you give it a little gas and you get a jerk forward, and you're off.

Never happens when the truck is warm. Fluid has been changed twice in the last 3 months, hasn't been leaking and there is no evidence of pink milkshake.

Any advice before I go and drop this off at a dealer to get the trans serviced?

Thanks!

 

[chadsy]

how is your ebrake?

 

[Stuntmonkey]

Seems to be working fine?

 

[koulee]

Might be a solenoid problem. Can you feel the transmission shift into gear or does it not shift at all?

 

[Stuntmonkey]

Sometimes I can feel it, but then sometimes it feels like it shifts when you hit the gas.

 

[kball]

I'm assuming you meant to say it never happens when the truck is warm. Next time it happens shift down to Low and see if it will move right away then. If it still acts the same I'd check the rear brakes for gear lube first before digging into the trans. Although, the lube in the rear brakes problem doesn't normally cause this unless it's really cold outside. How cold is it in Vancouver?

 

[Jc12]

it was 17 degrees today! yes i would definitely dig more into if it does shift into gear at all/ever until the gas is hit, then it will be much easier to filter the problem

 

[fourwd1]

... Any advice before I go and drop this off at a dealer to get the trans serviced?

Thanks!

Yeah, get several opinions. If you just "drop this off at a dealer to get the trans serviced" your going to get reamed. And I don't mean opinions from AAMCO and the like.

 

[kball]

^ 17 deg... I think the OP should be looking at his rear brakes then. Leaking axle seals may be the culprit.

 

[Stuntmonkey]

He means 17 degree Celsius. So 63f. And yes, sorry, meant it never happens when she is warmed up.

I'll definitely shop around and get opinions/quotes from places, they don't call them stealerships for no reason!

 

[kball]

Ok gotcha, so most likely not the rear brakes freezing up on you. Try the shift to Low and see if that makes a difference. If so it's probably a solenoid sticking.

 

[Stuntmonkey]

Seems like it must be a solenoid issue. Shifts fine from low and 2.

I'm now wondering what the replacement solenoid is, and where it's located. Accessible I hope haha.

 

[chadsy]

Try the "drain and fill" method in 300 mile intervals. It could be you have old ATF fluid. This seemed to remedy a problem I was having similar to yours.