My 96 Blazer with 180k miles is missing a shift under heavy acceleration from 2nd to 3rd gear. 2nd gear releases well, but the engine will tach high and spin until RPM are dropped, and the shift can be made. Driven softly, it is works smoothly without problem.

I had the 2-3 solenoid changed in Maine 2 years ago, but now a dealership in Jax, FL is telling me that I have seven codes, and need a rebuild. Codes include slipping, overheating, etc (I dont have the code numbers). I have pulled two heavy trailerson long-haul inthe past week, so those codes could be true from those events.

I remember the dealer in Maine told me that the shift solenoids could be tested from outside the transmisison case, perhaps by a continuity test. The dealer in Jax did not recognize this testing method, and wants to charge me $2500-$3500 for a rebuilt tranny.

Ideas?

 

I am no tranny expert but I believe the solenoids either work or don't So if it's shifting OK under light loads but won't engage at high rpm/load it is probablysome mechanical component like the clutches slipping and/or some other stuff. Anyway, some tranny experts here can give you some more detailed advice but I bet your dealer is giving you the straight story.

 

I will agree that I do not think this is a simple solenoid problem. Sounds like your 3rd gear clutches are not holding properly when under power.

With the gear shift in 3rd (Drive), what happens if you let up on the throttle allowing it to shift, but then put the power back to it?

 

It will make the 2-3 shift when the RPMs are allowed to drop, and it will take acceleration once it is in gear.

I plan to go to the shop this AM and speak with them. Maybe I can get past the service mgr and talk to the mechanic. Im not saying that its not a big money repair, but Im not dropping $2500 for a new tranny when I drove the 'bad' one into the shop running so well. Im not satisfied that they have done their diagnostic due diligence.

Maybe I'll take their report to another chevy dealer and see i I can get the same diagnosis there. But all of this shop time is a hassle.

 

Maybe I'll offer to pay them to drop the pain, change the filter and fluid, and perform an internal inspection of the solenoids, etc. I will have to agree that there is no guarantee of the repair success, but for a couple of hundred bucks I can buy some piece of mind.

I guess that the solenoids, clutches, TCC, etc can be tested once the pan is off?

 

I have a 97 blazer that would lose first gear and overdrive after I would drive it a couple miles. When sitting cold, it would shift thru all gears, but would lose the two after warming up. Ran codes on it, and it came back as shift solenoid malfunction. I took it to the shop and they replaced both solenoids for $150. I have not had a problem with the shifting since.

 

OK, latest update:

I paid the dealer (Yulee, FL) to remove the pan and change the fluid & filter, and use that opportunity to inspect and diagnose whatever parts they could access. Of course they did not diagnose anything, quickly serviced the xmsn for the flat fee $200, and passed the mechanics recommendation to me that the xmsn needed an overhaul, and nothing less was prudent. The dealer offered an overhaul for $2300 more, and like a fool I accepted. (AAMCO quoted $1800).

So after 6 days they get it overhauled, and it still had the exact same shifting problem (and I'm out $250 for a rental car). So at their cost (and 4 more days), they replace the valve body, inside wiring harness, and all shift solenoids. The xmsn was pulled at least 3 times by now. Essentially, the only thing left original is the bell housing and output housing. The dealership is angry that they have lost money on the job.

So I am wondering if I am really liable for the overhaul..although I'm sure it was probably needed, it was not the reason for my 2-3 shift issue (I feel certain that the real problem was just the 2-3 solenoid... this mechanic said that he never tested any of the solenoids). Doesn't GM have some kind of consumer's bill of rights that protects me against misdiagnosis and unnecesary work? IMO, the dealer should have diagnosed the 2-3 solenoid immediately when the pan was off, changed it out, and refused to warranty the repair without overhaul, based upon mileage, heat damage, codes, etc. I could have respected that.

Icing on the cake: I stopped by the beach on the way home to test the 4wd, and sunk the rear end down to the bumper because the front axle would not engage. So Im headed back to the dealership on this Sat 8 AM to see how long it takes them to check if the master mechanic forgot to hook up the xfer case vacuum lines, a tip that I learned on this site in about 10 minutes.