Hi all,
New to the forum here and looking for an opinion. I have a 2002 Blazer LS 4 door with 103K. Driving home from work tonight, I made a left turn onto another street, and the truck felt like the brakes locked up for a second, followed by a weird, high pitched whirring noise (like a belt rubbing against something).

Now, it can find the gears, but it seems like I have to take the RPMs up to 3K+ in 1st and then lightly let off the gas for it to get into second. Also, the whirring noise is there as I come to a stop, winding down with the RPM's in first gear. The whirring noise is faint at idle. If I try to give it enought gas to drop a gear as if I am passing, the RPM's shoot up (kind of like it missed a gear) with no acceleration, but if I keep constant gas on it (as to accelerate but not downshift), it seems ok. No SES light on... I did have to change a Tstat to get a code to go away about a month ago.

Prior to this, there was a bump while driving, like something was loose or had play in it, if I downshifted or gave sudden gas, almost like a backfire, but no backfire. Ever since we have owned it (almost 5 years and 70K miles), if I go around a sharp turn and give significant gas, the trans would give a little slip, but then continue on.

Does anyone have an idea what I'm dealing with on this?

Thanks,
-Mike

 

Do you still have reverse? I have heard the whirring noise before and it was a busted reaction sun shell.

 

Tried reverse this morning... no reverse

I guess I am looking at having to rebuild/replace the transmission? What is a fair price to pay for a swap with a rebuilt unit and 12 mo/ 12k mi. warranty?

Thanks again,
-Mike

I think it will still drive through 1-4 gears with a little help. Should I try to drive it to the shop, or should I have it towed?

 

You can drive it to the shop. You are not going to hurt much else that is not replaced in a typical rebuild. I know of a few people that have just had the sun shell replaced. Costs very widely.

 

ouch kyle, a typo? LOL jk they're far and few between.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to take it to the trans shop tomorrow. I'll keep the board posted as to the cost and diagnosis.

-Mike

 

Going around corners and then having the tranny slip a little sounds like the filter has fallen down in the tranny. From the rest of what you are describing, the tranny sounds like toast.

 

Sun shield was toast. He said that the inside wasn't that bad, but I opted for a full rebuild, as we already have one car payment and would like the Blazer to last for a few more years, plus we get a better warranty. Transmission will be rebuilt with better than GM parts. Total cost, around $2k.

It just sucks that the trans blew at such a low mileage (102K). I have used this one man shop before for rebuilds on an 89 GMC Sierra pickup, and a dodge 15 passenger. His prices are fair and his work is great (the pickup has over 330K on it). Anyone in the Baltimore area looking for a good transmission shop, PM me and I'll be happy to give you his info.

Thanks for all your help!

-Mike

 

sun shell I meant.... he showed me one from an S10 that he just did the week before. Lovely product there, GM!

 

Considering the relatively small percentage of 700R4/4L60/4L60E transmissions that fail in this manner, it is a lovely product. This transmission was put into a TON of different vehicles over the years, the vast majority of them are still on the road.