1995 van transmission

1995 Cheverolet G-20 van. About 130k miles. Work van.

Couple days ago, the van wasn't quite right. Taking off from a light. Push the gas, the engine speeds up. But the van only starts to move a couple seconds later. And the forward motion isn't as much as I'd expect based on the engine noise.

I spent three hours and two trips to the parts store today, changing filter and fluid. I've got fluid on me, and some aches and pains. I'm not happy. After the test drive, nothing had changed.

Any ideas? Time for a transmission shop before it dies for real?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon
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A friend suggests two quarts of Lucas transmission medic stuff. Anyone used that? Comments?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Transmission Shop before it finishes tearing out the sun shell. That van has a 4L60E if it is the standard van.

Reply to
Steve W.

Odd you should mention that. The filter didn't fit, I had to take it back. Turns out it's a 4L80 transmission.

Friend of mine suggested two quarts of Lucas transmission medic. I'm thinking the Tx shop before it gets any worse.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

In my experience, there's no miracle in a bottle when transmissions behave this way. It's indicative of major mechanical issues. The longer you wait, the more damage and parts are involved. Had a similar issues on my previous '94 Suburban K1500 at about 110,000. That was about $1400 (7 years back) for the rebuild with a full 1 year warranty from my GM dealer who has a decent transmission man.

Reply to
Augustus

Yes, that sounds right to me. I've resisted the urge to go try and get two quarts of red out, so I can put in two quarts of liquid miracle.

Talked to two different Tx shops, and they both said there are a lot of electronics involved. Bring in for a check, might be something electronic, and not even within the Tx. I'm taking in Monday Am, will let you all know what works out.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Hmm must be the HD version then. They came with the 4L80. Does it have the 8 lug rims as well? If yes it is the HD version for sure.

I would take it to a shop, most of the bottle "cures" do nothing useful. Just make sure the shop you use does any of the factory updates to the trans that are available. Don't go for the gimmick stuff though, on a work truck you want dependable parts.

Reply to
Steve W.

Thanks for the info. I'm sure it will help someone, out there. As for me, I'm beyond help.

After several hours (got there 9 AM, and got a ride home, about 11 AM). Finally about 5 PM I called the shop. They say the computer went bad, and screwed up the Tx. Needs a full overhaul. Be ready Thursday (I predict Friday) and will be about $1600.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

March 28, 2009 more details

Monday March 23, took the van to a transmission shop. The filter I put in was the wrong size, the pan didn't seal, and the fluid was leaking like crazy. They did a series of tests, and then pulled the transmission for a rebuild. Should be ready on Thursday.

Thursday. Turns out the computer is bad, and needs replace. Not working properly. And then the wiring harness for the computer isn't right. Should be ready Friday sometime.

Friday. Still more problems. Several wires are tapped off the computer cable, and need to figure out what those wires are. One goes to the fuel injectors.

Saturday March 28, bring about $1750, and come get your van.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Rebuild you 4l80e, replace the ecm, diagnose wiring problems, all for $1750. Not bad if they did it right. Price a gm goodwrench tranny and labor for installing it. Add ecm and diagnostic time and you could probably double that price or close to it. GM goodwrench transmissions come with a 3 year 100K mile warranty. I hope you got a decent warranty on all of this.

nobody #1

Reply to
nobody #1

I managed to make it home from the shop, so things are looking reasonably good. Warranty, well, I didn't ask. Not sure. Thanks for reminding me that it was a good price.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

4L60E kills about $1,200.00 for a good rebuild. For the extra work and parts they used. You did good. Just make sure you get the warranty in WRITING. The trans specialist I used and I worked on a handshake basis. I knew he would stand behind his work far longer than his printed warranty.
Reply to
Steve W.

| > Monday March 23, took the van to a transmission shop. The | > filter I put in was the wrong size, the pan didn't seal, and | > the fluid was leaking like crazy. They did a series of | > tests, and then pulled the transmission for a rebuild. | > Should be ready on Thursday. | >

| > Thursday. Turns out the computer is bad, and needs replace. | > Not working properly. And then the wiring harness for the | > computer isn't right. Should be ready Friday sometime. | >

| > Friday. Still more problems. Several wires are tapped off | > the computer cable, and need to figure out what those wires | > are. One goes to the fuel injectors. | >

| > Saturday March 28, bring about $1750, and come get your van. | >

| | | | Rebuild you 4l80e, replace the ecm, diagnose wiring problems, all for | $1750. Not bad if they did it right. Price a gm goodwrench tranny and | labor for installing it. Add ecm and diagnostic time and you could | probably double that price or close to it. GM goodwrench transmissions | come with a 3 year 100K mile warranty. I hope you got a decent warranty | on all of this. | | | nobody #1

About two years ago, G.M. increased the warranty coverage for factory remanufactured transmissions (SERTA's) to 3 years or 100,000 miles. Most SERTA's for 4L60Es are about $2500.00 plus tax.

And, the G.M. warranty is nation wide. Not that you didn't get a great rebuild from someone you trust, but you won't get any consideration if you're 2,000 miles away on vacation and the transmission happens to malfunction.

You could easily spend every penny saved at the independent if a shift solenoid decides that it's time for retirement while out of reach of the local mechanic.

When using a SERTA, every part inside the unit is new - only the case is reused. You don't get all new parts when yours is rebuilt. Only the failed parts are replaced. Something worth a considerable value when your personal time is wasted while waiting for a problem to be looked at a second time.

Just my 2¢.

Reply to
Steve

Thanks, Steve, for the reminder about good price. The day I got home from the shop, I had a service call. Went and came out to find a puddle of red oil under there. Snug down a couple pan bolts, and the leak slowed. Only about an once or two between Saturday and Monday AM. They say bring it back wednesday, and they will fit me with a new pan gasket. Older model, the pan gaskets take a day or two to get.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

No they don't. I'd be worried. If they can't get the pan sealed right you gotta wonder what else they didn't get right. So much for a good deal on something.

nobody #1

Reply to
nobody #1

Man is this a joke or what??? You say that you had your transmission overhauled, your ecm replaced, and wiring repaired for $1700. That is about half of what it should be. And they don't have a pan gasket for a common GM transmission in stock? And after spending that amount of money, you didn't ask about the warranty? I think you got taken big time. Good luck, you'll need it.

Reply to
Gothumbs

Van went back to the shop, yesterday AM. Pan gasket stopped leaking. They did the after service inspection (typically 10 to 14 days) and said all is well. Which should end this situation.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

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