Hey all,

My girlfriends' '97 S-10 Blazer, 4wd 2-door, with the 4.3L V6 has a new problem. Her transmission doesn't start out in first gear, unless I manually shift it. After heat builds up, it also shifts somewhat hard. I believe the valve body needs replaced in the transmission. I've heard this is a common problem with GM's. Is this true? Can I buy a valve body by itself, for a DECENT price? I recently flushed the tranny fluid, and replaced the filter. I've also ordered a universal tranny cooler. Thanks alot for the help. You guys know your s***!

actually sounds like your 1st gear cluch has gone out. Id suggest a rebuld or a new tranny.

I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHEN I BROKE 1 OF 2 SHIFT SOLENOIDS. I WAS TAKING THE PAN DOWN FOR A TRANNY SVC AND ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT THE BACK OF IT AND SNAPPED IT IN 2!. A LITTLE SODDER TEMPORARILY SOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL I HAD THE SPECIAL ORDERED PART COME. WHILE I WAS WAITNG FOR IT THOUGH, IT DROVE AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT GO INTO 1ST, UNLESS I DID IT MANUALLY. THE NEW PART I RECEIVED ACTUALLY LOOKED DIFFERENT TOO. SO THEY MADE UPDATES TO IT.
THEY ARE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOIDS. THERE ARE 2 OF THEM. THE NEW PARTS USE A PIECE OF MESH IN THE FRONT PART RATHER THAN THE OLDER ONES, WHICH HAD NOTHING.


-JIM