Only have 1st and 3rd
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Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 5
Only have 1st and 3rd
When I accelerate my blazer skips over 2nd gear and goes into 3rd. In which I mean it will rev up in 1st gear and I release the gas and it will then go into 3rd. From what I have read on here it could be many things from servo and solenoids to clutch packs and bands. I’m going to start ticking off the easy ones as I get time and start saving for either a rebuild/new transmission or just another vehicle all together.
My biggest question is that, in the mean time, is it okay to drive with only 1st and 3rd in shorter distances if I avoided highway speeds? most I would ever need to go is maybe 50 miles in extremely rare case, mostly I’d be going 10-15 miles if even that. I have it pretty well figured out how to ease the transmission to get into 3rd, and do it so it’s a fairly smooth shift (some one told me with the 4l60e the computer will detect the issue of no 2nd and automatically shift to 3rd, not sure how accurate that is).
my dad said as long as I don’t bore down on the engine and let it shift at decent rpm’s, it would be fine. he has a gmc truck with only 1st and 3rd and he’s driven it that way for 10 years now.
also curious if a dirty filter could cause shifting issues. I checked the fluid not long after it started and it was pretty dirty but was in to big of a hurry at the time to get parts at the store and pumped out what I could and then put new fluid it. It’s still has red to it but I can tell there’s some light color change so I’m going to find a time to just do it right and drop the pan, but I want to wait until I have everything so I can change it all at once.
My biggest question is that, in the mean time, is it okay to drive with only 1st and 3rd in shorter distances if I avoided highway speeds? most I would ever need to go is maybe 50 miles in extremely rare case, mostly I’d be going 10-15 miles if even that. I have it pretty well figured out how to ease the transmission to get into 3rd, and do it so it’s a fairly smooth shift (some one told me with the 4l60e the computer will detect the issue of no 2nd and automatically shift to 3rd, not sure how accurate that is).
my dad said as long as I don’t bore down on the engine and let it shift at decent rpm’s, it would be fine. he has a gmc truck with only 1st and 3rd and he’s driven it that way for 10 years now.
also curious if a dirty filter could cause shifting issues. I checked the fluid not long after it started and it was pretty dirty but was in to big of a hurry at the time to get parts at the store and pumped out what I could and then put new fluid it. It’s still has red to it but I can tell there’s some light color change so I’m going to find a time to just do it right and drop the pan, but I want to wait until I have everything so I can change it all at once.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 54
From: 59840
Here's a C/P from a tech-site I use:
Problem: 1st and 3rd only, will not work in 2nd ,4th or Reverse
Symptoms: Sunshell is fractured or splines are sheared off. Try not to run or drive the car or further damage could result.
Possible repair: R&R
Problem: Will not work in 2nd or 4th gear
Symptoms: 2-4 band is slipping. Servo seals may be damaged (can be fixed without removing Transmission. Otherwise, 2-4 band is worn out.
Possible repair: Remove & replace or rebuild
Problem: 1st and 3rd only, will not work in 2nd ,4th or Reverse
Symptoms: Sunshell is fractured or splines are sheared off. Try not to run or drive the car or further damage could result.
Possible repair: R&R
Problem: Will not work in 2nd or 4th gear
Symptoms: 2-4 band is slipping. Servo seals may be damaged (can be fixed without removing Transmission. Otherwise, 2-4 band is worn out.
Possible repair: Remove & replace or rebuild
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