73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: 81_Chevy on February 27, 2013, 05:24:40 pm

Title: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 27, 2013, 05:24:40 pm
well i have two more questions for y'all.

my transmission started acting weird in the last two days, on monday morn it was fine going to school but afterschool i pulled out of the parking lot and it went up to 4,000rpms before it shifted into second, then when i turned the corner towards home it stopped in second, like i would give it gas and here the engine rev higher but the truck wouldnt go faster just the same speed, so i let off the gas and then gave it some gas and it was fine.

now instead of at like 2,000rpms to second gear and 2,500rpm to third it now shifts about about 3,000 - 3,500 rpm into second and about 3,500 to 4,000rpms into 3rd gear. im really clueless on this situation. and it is shifting REALLY hard.

the transmission is a Turbo400 all stock, it was completely rebuilt the winter of 2011. i checked the fluid level, full. not smelling burt or not any dark color. im stumped.


any help is appreciated. thanks -Nic
Title: Re: Transmission/ front end problem
Post by: VileZambonie on February 27, 2013, 05:33:27 pm
The second part of your question needs to go in the suspension section.

Are you checking the fluid level in park at operating temp? Are you using the correct dipstick? If the fluid level is correct sounds like it's slipping. You said it was rebuilt a year ago, who rebuilt it?

Title: Re: Transmission/ front end problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 27, 2013, 06:02:50 pm
sorry bout that, ill move it.

ya in park at temp, as far as i know its the right dipstick same one that the truck has always had. umm im not specifically sure on the name of the shop, but my dad checked them out and the were pretty reputable and did good work. ill give him a call tonight and ask since hes out in LA on business.
Title: Re: Transmission/ front end problem
Post by: VileZambonie on February 27, 2013, 06:10:34 pm
A properly maintained TH400 is pretty stout as long as it's not overly abused. There's no indication of bubbles on the dipstick or discoloration? If you manually shift 1, 2, 3 does it slip?
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 27, 2013, 06:20:11 pm
no bubbles that i know of, but i will double check, and theres no discoloration still the purple/red color. the thing is i dont think its slipping because if i manually shift out of 1 2 or 3 the rpms will just increase until it shifts, like ill drop it in 1 and take it to 3,000 or so and shift up into second but it wont shift into second until it hits like 4,000 or so.  :-\ :o ???
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 27, 2013, 09:16:13 pm
another question, is my truck still safe to drive at the moment?

i have other transportation to school (my jeep), but i would prefer my classic pickup  8)
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 79gmc15 on February 27, 2013, 09:40:41 pm
Just throwing this out there,  is the vacuum line hooked up to the transmission? In good shape?
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 28, 2013, 07:19:18 am
i just replaced it not to long ago, so its in good shape. and as far as i know its hooked up, but i will double check this morning
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: Engineer on February 28, 2013, 07:35:49 am
Just throwing this out there,  is the vacuum line hooked up to the transmission? In good shape?

This.

Check this first.
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: pholliday1 on February 28, 2013, 11:31:02 am
one step further... put a vacuum gauge on it and take a reading while the engine is running.. kinda sounds like vacuum modulator isn't working/ or part of the valve body is sticking.
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 28, 2013, 11:47:08 am
i will do that when i get home today from school! i have a feeling that its the modulator because there has been some fluid coming out of it in the past since the rebuild. what should i be looking at for vacuum pressure wise?
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 79gmc15 on February 28, 2013, 11:53:42 am
I think it's watching to see if it holds pressure. Don't go crazy on the pressure, 20# is probably more then enough. Watch the gauge though. It probably shouldn't move. If it does, dbl check your connection, try again. But if it's leaking oil then something is up anyway.
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 28, 2013, 01:03:08 pm
alright i will do that today after school!  :D

another question, if i keep driving it like this, could there be damage to the transmission?
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: Engineer on February 28, 2013, 03:22:02 pm
If you have tranny fluid in your vacuum line then your modulator is bad.

Driving it probably won't kill it, but why take the chance?
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: VileZambonie on February 28, 2013, 06:42:59 pm
As far as late shifting, no vacuum at the modulator will cause a delayed upshift.

Quote
like i would give it gas and here the engine rev higher but the truck wouldnt go faster just the same speed

This indicates the transmission is slipping
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on February 28, 2013, 08:01:32 pm
yep, there was tranny fluid in the vacuum line.

and yeah vile i understand now, but it only did it that one time so im not worried about it that much since the trans was rebuilt not to long ago. and im thinking the little vacuum to the trans may have caused the slipping?

so how would i go about changing the modulator on my transmission? how much would it cost?

thanks -Nic
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: pholliday1 on March 01, 2013, 07:22:23 am
Should just have one little bolt and retainer u clip holding it in. Just remove clip and PULL straight out the new one " should" have new o ring with it. Can't remember what they cost? I don't think it was to expensive though.
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on March 01, 2013, 09:20:56 am
alright thanks for the help pholliday!   :D

will there be any trans fluid that comes out with it? dont want to make a mess of my dads garage  ;D
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: pholliday1 on March 01, 2013, 10:45:20 am
Yes, trying to remember how much.... I'm thinking not that much
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: Engineer on March 01, 2013, 06:00:42 pm
$20 + or -
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: 81_Chevy on March 02, 2013, 02:05:01 pm
ok so i went out last night to O'Reillys and got one, was like 13bucks, i put it in this morning and i guess it kinda worked. my trans doesnt shift hard now, but it still has the high rpm issue. still a little confused  ??? do i need to adjust the regulator? cuz i know its regulates when the trans shifts.

-Nic
Title: Re: Transmission problem
Post by: pholliday1 on March 02, 2013, 03:22:30 pm
Yes ,there is an adjustment for the regulator  ,umm thinking you may want to start a new thread on that if someone doesn't respond ,unfortunately I don't know the proper sequence to adjust it is sorry.