transmission acts up in 3rd gear shift

[mweiman]

My uncle has a 2003 2500 auto 4x4 that is acting up when shifting into 3rd gear. It usually happens around 30 mph. When shifting into 3rd it kicks out of gear and you have to let out of it to get it to engage again. If you shift it manually it works fine and usually if you keep into fairly hard it will be OK. He said it has been getting worse. It does not seem to slip and other shifts are OK. The only modification it has is I think a superhips or some kind of mild programmer which he removed with no change. The trans is original as far as I know with 160,000 miles on the truck. If it has ever been serviced I would say it has been awhile although the fluid looks and smells OK. Also no codes when I checked it.

Thanks for any help,

Matt

 

[cerberusiam]

Sound slike shuutle shift under light throttle. Check the front band setting and replace the gov transducer and solenoid as a starting point.

 

[mweiman]

From researching other posts that is what I was thinking. What is your opinion as far as a parts source? He called me last night and said you had to slow way down to get it back into gear, it seems to kick completely out of gear when it happens.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[cerberusiam]

Here are a couple sources for the upgraded solenoid. Make sure you get the transducer also as they are worse for problems.



Transmission Solenoid Sets at Discount Prices !

Borg Warner Governor Solenoid for 42-48 RE Transmissions



You can call Suncoast and order the upgraded GM type solenoid kit and transducer also. I run it and have good luck with it.



Also replace the output shaft speed sensor. They can cause a lot of sysmptoms like this and it is hard to track. For the $20 or so they cost replacement is a better idea.

 

[mweiman]

I ordered the GM style solenoid kit from Electrical Advantage that included the output shaft speed sensor. He also said it has been slow to upshift, you have to let out of it to get it to upshift, does that make sense with the other symptoms?

Matt

 

[cerberusiam]

Yep, one or all of those 3 pieces are the likely culprit. More problems ensue when you run the truck with them misbehaving but usually the sensor and solenoid will clear things up.

 

[mweiman]

I installed the HD electrical kit from Electrical Advantage with the GM solenoid conversion over a week ago and it has been working perfect ever since. It took about 2 hours to put everything in and cost was $270 plus fluid and filter. It got to where it would not shift out of first gear before we worked on it. Thanks for all your help, I am sure any of the local trans shops would have said the transmission needed rebuilt.

Thanks again,

Matt

 

[cerberusiam]

Glad you got it fixed. The $270 is cheap compared to a rebuild.

 

[TMutziger]

I have been having the same problems with mine. After reading this thread, I ordered the same kit from Electrical Advantage. I can not believe what a difference it made. Like new again. I too believe if i'd taken it to a trans. shop, they would have said it needed to be rebuilt. Saved me a lot of money for now. Thanks from me too.