4L80E stuck in 2nd gear. Why?

[y5mgisi]

My dad has a 96 chevy one ton van. tbi 350 and a 4l80e. He says its been acting up for a while, but now he has only 2nd gear and reverse Any ideas? I know there are solenoids in there but why would they not function properly?

 

[Thunder]

Throw a scanner on it and check the tranny codes. The computer may tell you what is wrong.
Might have a bad shift, or pressure solenoid. like anyother electrical thing they just wear out after time. Or sometimes the screens in them get blocked with crud if the fluid is not changed regularly.

 

[sweetk30]

sounds like fail safe mode. 2nd and reverse only.

you need to find and fix the problem first.

 

[y5mgisi]

Can i use the paperclip trick to find tranny trouble codes?

 

[Keitha]

Can i use the paperclip trick to find tranny trouble codes?

I think you can find the codes w/ the paperclip trick. Try it out.

 

[MTNMIKE]

96' Is that obd1, or obd2 did you check the fluid and any connections to the tranny ?

OBD 2 uses a scanning computer plugs in under dash on driverside. I believe obd2 came out around 96' or 97'.

I had a friend with similar problems(not a 4l80e), he changed the fluid and filter and it worked fine (it was a newer dodge not a diesel).

good luck!

Mike

 

[y5mgisi]

TTT, I have heard people say this can be caused by the VSS. True? Sorry for asking these questions without having answers. He is supposed to be dropping it off at my house in the next couple weeks so i can fix it and im just trying to plan/think ahead.

 

[y5mgisi]

Also this site says it could be the input speed sensor.

http://www.454ss.com/Articles_new/red/4L80E_Transmission_Problems.asp

 

[Robbie6987]

Same thing mine did when the vss went out, big electical plug on the r/h side can work loose also and cause the same probs. Also it wont always throw a code but u can get it checked for free at autozone if u dont have a scan tool.

 

[dbabicky]

96' Is that obd1, or obd2 did you check the fluid and any connections to the tranny ?

OBD 2 uses a scanning computer plugs in under dash on driverside. I believe obd2 came out around 96' or 97'.

I had a friend with similar problems(not a 4l80e), he changed the fluid and filter and it worked fine (it was a newer dodge not a diesel).

good luck!

Mike

1996 is OBD II

 

[4xcrazy]

wow, a year later? been driving in 2nd gear the whole time ??