Gear indicator issues

[Herman8r]

My gear indicator is acting up. The square box that lights up "D" goes on and off and clicking sound under dash while driving. Sometimes will not light up "P" when parked and will not start. Hard to pull out of park sometimes.
Had problems in the past. Changed the leaking gear selector switch. This fixed it for a while. Although it starts to leak shortly after replacing it and after a while the gear indicator issue starts again.

I believe it is the ball bearing/ spring that sits in the valve body that rides against the rooster comb is causing the problem.
I saw a kit from TransGo to repair it.

So if the trans has to come out---do I find a repair shop to fix: (202000 miles on original trans)
1) trans issue
2) slight leak rear crank seal (barely leaking)
3) oil pan gasket (not leaking now)
4) finding a qualified shop to do this. ( So Cal ---Ontario area)

Thanks for any advice.
HJR

 

[Ozymandias]

Trans doesn't need to come out for this, just the valve body and can be done DIY in the driveway.
BTDT

 

[Herman8r]

Thanks OZ. Looking at your Sig.---you used the TransGo. Is this the shift kit? If so is it worth it?
Any tricks to the VB removal?

Thanks

 

[Ozymandias]

Yes i used the whole Shiftkit, I'm happy with it, it raised the line oressure within safe limits, it firmed up all shift points nicely.
SK 48RE is the Kit thats needed.

To the install, TransGo includes a good (<< to me!) install manual with the Kit. It is pretty straight forward.
Even the hint with the coat hanger is mentioned in it.

You can find the instructions here as pics https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&...m&ved=0ahUKEwix4_32-7rgAhUt8KYKHWCnCJMQsAQIEA

Just one thing that is really really important - read the whole manual thoroughly prior to start the install, read it again if you are somewhat confused the first time.
Some report that it is confusing written.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just one thing, dont overtorque any of the VB Bolts, use a small torque wrench to do them.
Otherwise the VB can be bent and leaking after.

 

[cerberusiam]

I would not use the TransGo shift kit again, no going back from some of the mods and when one of them fails the VB is basically junk. The Superior shift correction kit is much easier to install, less intrusive, and doesn't make physical mods to the VB.

Two thing son dropping the VB. Careful dropping it and getting the round harness connector out of the case. If it is sticky and jams it can break the mounting tab. Getting the park rod is a bit tricky but if you jack up one wheel and have somebody slowly rotate it while work the rod back and forth it will eventually pop thru the pawl, same going back in work it back and forth until it pops thru the pawl as wheel is slowly turned.

 

[Herman8r]

Do either of the shift kits include the parts (ball & spring at rooster comb)I am having an issue with?

 

[cerberusiam]

Do either of the shift kits include the parts (ball & spring at rooster comb)I am having an issue with?

No, you have to buy that separately. The Bullet is about the easiest to install.

 

[Herman8r]

TransGo kit is a good choice?

 

[Herman8r]

I forgot to ask---the leaking gear select sensor I have been replacing ( 5 so far)----thinking that there may another problem causing the leak??
I thought it was the body of the part it self or the o ring but I could be wrong.
Thanks,
HJT

 

[Ozymandias]

No they are just junk, I hadn't one that doesnt leak after short time, decided to ignore that as long as it doesn't flood the connector entirely.

 

[Herman8r]

Got it. Thinking the oil doesn't hurt being in the connector? I say that thinking of the 2 speed rear ends in our old trucks that had the motor & switch in the oil filled housing.

Hey Oz---off track from original post---noticed you have custom rear springs. Are they worth it?
I have the Carlie 2.0 kit and they changed my springs (long time ago) and I had to put bags on to lift the rear back to level---due to the weight of the loaded tool box.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yes they work fine and keep the truck level with full load in them.
I wouldn't recommend them with a truck that is used ine day empty next day fully loaded, would be a little harsh empty.

You've got the bags already, thats okay too, if you want to smooth the ride with it, install some ping tanks.
Perfect even with 60psi in the bags, still smooth over some speed bumps.

 

[Herman8r]

Got it. Read an article a while back in one of the TDR issues describing the ping tank.

Cheers!

 

[Herman8r]

Cerb...I saw an older post you commented on regarding mods to do when dropping the VB.
"Shift kit, billet band strut and anchor, billet accumulator, billet front servo cover, DNC gov housing, and new transducer. Typical needed upgrades to fix the NVH weaknesses in the stock build"

Are these DIY mods?
Do you have a good source for these parts? Expensive??
Thanks for your advice!!

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes, all DIY pieces. https://transmissioncenter.net has all the pieces and many more goodies. I think Cascade Transmission Parts has some of them also. All those pieces are around $300-400 IIRC.

 

[Herman8r]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Superdawg]

I just replaced the parking detent with bullet (hard to get out of park), the trans control harness (leaking), the shift solenoid (rebuild kit from DNJ Components) and the transducer. The last two were just preventative since I was in there already. It's doable but its difficult for me to do that kind of work in the garage without a lift.
Since I have the Mag Hytec pan, I replaced the stock trans gasket w/ a fiber one. It's recommended for the aluminum case to aluminum pan contact. Less chance of leakage. So far so good. I like the shifting out of park now, its very nice.
Napa ATF+4 is probably rebadged Valvoline at $5 per quart. Napa manager told me recently all? of their fluids are from Valvoline.

 

[Superdawg]

I have the transgo kit on the VB but I would listen to Cerb's advice. If mine goes south, I don't think I can return mine as a good core due to the kit.

 

[cerberusiam]

Napa ATF+4 is probably rebadged Valvoline at $5 per quart. Napa manager told me recently all? of their fluids are from Valvoline.

Yes, it is likely Valvoline as a they have some what of a corner on the market. Not 5$ a quart anywhere around here, more like $6 and change. However, Techron ATF +4 at Walmart is like $3.75 for the same oil. Unless I am in a hurry O just clean several Walmarts as needed.. LOL!

The VB with a TransGo in my truck has gone south after 200k, bleeding pressure internally somewhere thru a crack or maybe on of the mods is cross leaking. Could be just worn bores also, very hard to tell. Priced out the jigs and bits to do all the Sonnax fixes that are available, close to $1000 for just the tools. Time to find a core and start over.