Truck is a 1997 K2500 Suburban, 6.5TD, 4x4, 4LE80, 160k miles, very little towing, mild climate. Many years ago
I put on a very stout aftermarket transmission cooler system.
I often put the shifter into 3 or 2 around town just to take a load off the brakes. Gentle but firm with the
shifter and throttle, no need to make the 6.5 scream over 2600rpm.
The transmission has had one or 2 very mild indigestions in the past 500 miles,
eg "Hmnn, that shift felt a little rough"
Last week it had a more major event. At highway speed, the speedometer started going a little haywire, then it started slipping about 10%. We could keep up with traffic but the engine rpms were sliding up. Pulled into the nearest service station, followed instructions for properly measuring transmission fluid level, found it to be low.
It took about 12 oz to bring it up to midpoint. The fluid doesn't smell burnt. We were able to complete 400
miles in the Sierra over the next few days including 4wd in snow for 60 miles. Has been fine for another 100 miles around town lately.
So I'm in THAT position of replacing fluid and filter and any easily reached solenoids etc. I'm happy to do that, do a better job of watching the levels, and keep driving it. Last week's event was a wakeup call but not
catastrophic. Not a big deal to include transmission fluid in the in-car toolbox.
My questions are: Are there ways to road test or scanner test the transmission for other problems, possible triggered by the low fluid level?
I need a test that gives confidence that its not going to fail more disastrously in the next (coupla) 1000 miles.
I put on a very stout aftermarket transmission cooler system.
I often put the shifter into 3 or 2 around town just to take a load off the brakes. Gentle but firm with the
shifter and throttle, no need to make the 6.5 scream over 2600rpm.
The transmission has had one or 2 very mild indigestions in the past 500 miles,
eg "Hmnn, that shift felt a little rough"
Last week it had a more major event. At highway speed, the speedometer started going a little haywire, then it started slipping about 10%. We could keep up with traffic but the engine rpms were sliding up. Pulled into the nearest service station, followed instructions for properly measuring transmission fluid level, found it to be low.
It took about 12 oz to bring it up to midpoint. The fluid doesn't smell burnt. We were able to complete 400
miles in the Sierra over the next few days including 4wd in snow for 60 miles. Has been fine for another 100 miles around town lately.
So I'm in THAT position of replacing fluid and filter and any easily reached solenoids etc. I'm happy to do that, do a better job of watching the levels, and keep driving it. Last week's event was a wakeup call but not
catastrophic. Not a big deal to include transmission fluid in the in-car toolbox.
My questions are: Are there ways to road test or scanner test the transmission for other problems, possible triggered by the low fluid level?
I need a test that gives confidence that its not going to fail more disastrously in the next (coupla) 1000 miles.