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96 chevy truck transmission engaging issues.

RNation

RNation

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St.Peters, MO
My buddy has a 96 chevy 1500 truck. The motor has to rev to about 2500 rpms for it to drive in reverse. I think it takes about 4k rpms for it to go in forward gears. We swapped out the transmission and torque converter thinking that would work but it didn't. We also changed out the computer thinking it was the transmission area on the computer that wasn't working correctly but that didn't work either. Both parts (transmission and computer were bought used). We made sure the speed sensor on the back of the transmission was plugged in along with the other wires and plugs.

We also checked to make sure the drive shaft was spinning which it was only when the truck moved (not sure if that helps or not).

The transmission is the 4L60e model

Any info. would be appreciated, we're kind of stumped at this point. The only thing I could think of was to trace wires from the computer back to the transmission module to see if there was a break in the wire or another component to replace.
 
Sounds like it isn't building any pressure. DO NOT attempt to drive it as it will ruin the clutches very fast . First of all check your grounds and make sure they are clean and hooked up. Could well be a wiring problem. Do y'all have access to a scan tool?
 
We ran a scan tool but there wasn't any codes, it was the cheaper scan tools that auto zone or o'reillys sells.
 
Would one of the readers that auto zone or o'reillys let you borrow be considered a good one? I think the other option would be to take it to a shop but we were wanting to avoid that lol.
 
No , unfortunately the one's from autozone are barely worth anything. You need something like the tech II or compatable scantool. If i was closer i would gladly come over with a good scanner and help y'all!!
 
Dang, well I don't think that option is open to us with out going to a shop that has one. Looks like those scanners are around $500.
 
The obvious stuff, full of fluid? Was this a known good trans, or just taking Words?

When you say 'swapped out' are you saying that the original and NOW the 'new' one does the same thing?

With the trans computer plug unhooked the trans will max out pressure and just have reverse and 2nd.. (IIRC) This may help diagnose a software or hardware problem. Don't drive it that way, just try it in the driveway to see if there is a difference.

It def sounds like a low pressure deal. You may need to borrow a trans pressure gauge. Sometimes a torque converter can get installed incorrectly and take out a pump...

There were running changes in solenoid, force motors and wiring in these transmissions. Use the correct trans wiring and solenoids and 'stuff' for the year of the truck.
 
Fluid is good, the newer trans was bought off of craigslist so really just taking words that it works, but the problem is the same as the other.

The torque converter came with the newer trans so diferent torque converter also but same problem.

The solenoids and wiring that your talking about is inside the trans? If so thats definantly over our head.
 
Starting to think you may just have two smoked transmissions..

Yes, there's all kinds of wiring and solenoids under the pan of these things.

Were you able to see any of the original fluid from either one? Brown and burnt smelling is not good. Good indicator that it's smoked.

What was the original complaint? The timeline, how it happened etc..
 
I got some more info form my buddy about the timeline of things.

He said the issue started all of a sudden, he thought it was the torque converter so replaced that with a new one, issue was still there, then he thought it was the tranns so replaced that with one he bought off of craigslist (this trans came with a torque converter so he used this one instead of the new one), issue was still there, upon putting in the newer trans, the plug for the speed sensor (the thing that sits in the tail end of the trans) wouldn't fit so the guy he bought the trans from cut the plug off and brought it to my buddy who then spliced it in (there was a po502 code from that but when we erased it after splicing the correct plug in it went away). The issue was still there. Then after doing a google search we thought maybe the tranns portion of the computer (PCM?) may be bad, so he got one of those from a junk yard but the problem is still there. Thats where we're at now.

Also he said the problem was getting worse, to where it took more rpm's to get the truck to move and that the problem seemed to have picked up on the newer trans from where it left off on the older one.
 
2 or 4 wheel drive? If it is a 4X4 make sure the transfer case is engaged. From the sounds of it, it would also be wise to make sure the cooler circuit isn't plugged.
 
2 wheel drive.
I have an extra electric fuel pump for a 6.5 diesel motor, could I rig up some lines and try to run tranns fluid through (maybe warm trans fluid to help flow) the cooling circuit? I think the pump is around 12 psi or so if irc.
 
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