700R4 cold slip

[xCaliK5x]

I have noticed after my truck sits overnight, when I drive it in the morning, it will slip like crazy for the first 1/4 mile going up hill from my house, thats it. Other then that, it rockets off the line when its warm and shifts fine. I can let it sit for a few hours and its still fine. Sometimes it seems to hang between shifts (shift kit?). Fluid level is ok, no major external leaks (I get maybe one drip the size of a pencil eraser overnight, and not every time.). It has a B&M shift kit the previous owner installed, I want to pull the pan and change the fluid and filter anyway. I have researched the TV cable, sounds easy or a PIA to check and adjust depending on what forum I looked on. I also noticed a black switch that is above the pan on the pass side that looks lieka 2 pin switch, it ahs nothing conected to it. Any ideas where to start or a common problem? thanks in advance guys.

 

[Blue85]

If it depends on temperature, then it is likely the viscosity change. You may have a little junk in the fluid that jams something up before the oil is warm. Usually the first thing to stick is the innermost part of the throttle valve, as there is no return spring for it. You could test this by tapping on the valve to free it up. Pull the TV cable all the way out and release a few times or go WOT a couple of times (engine off!).

My next guess would be that your the pump is not giving proper line pressure. You might pick up a gauge or stop by a transmission shop. Although I can see where gettting to the shop cold could be a problem.

 

[xCaliK5x]

I will try those suggestions.

I talked to the previous owner, he said the trans was rebuilt before he got it, about 20K miles ago. Who rebuilt it and if they had a skill level higher then a a cardboard box is up for debate. He said the truck has done it ever since he had it. You let it warm up for a minuet in the morning and its fine. He noted it does have a shift kit to allow full throttle/red line in a few gears. Sound correct?

I talked to an old GM tech that I work with. He told me to check, or have checked, the pressure pistons under the cover on the side of the gear box that controls the bands. He said they could crack or stick. I could get them out, but getting them back in is a B$%CH with out the tool (which he doesn't have), and if I get it wrong, he said I could do some damage. I have located a friend of a friend at an AMMCO who deals with these things, so rather then buy the tools and manual, I will take it to him and pick his brain. See if I can get some guidance or learn.

 

[Blue85]

Well if it is slipping in 2nd gear, then it could be the servo. I don't remember ever needing special tools to get the servo back in. You could look for junk in there or wear in the (case) bore. If it's slipping in all gears, look elsewhere.

When did it last get a new filter?

 

[xCaliK5x]

Well if it is slipping in 2nd gear, then it could be the servo. I don't remember ever needing special tools to get the servo back in. You could look for junk in there or wear in the (case) bore. If it's slipping in all gears, look elsewhere.

When did it last get a new filter?

I don't know if its had one. The trans has probably 15-20K on it since a rebuild. I was planning on doing that anyway, I like to start off my new used cars with a clean slate as best as possible.


I will dig and see if I can find a DIY online for the servos. It has a REALLY harsh shift only when cold too. Like going from park to reverse, it feels like it got hit by another car! HEHEHEHE, what fun, the spousal unit LOVES it.... (your sarcasm detectors should be off the charts by now). I told her she will have to drive it to school when I take her Jetta in for warranty work, since the K5 is out of door dent range height wise and my GLI will not be caught anywhere near the college campus parking lot. She just figured out how to climb into it without my help too so we are making progress! It usually results in obscenities and I make my own dinner of hot wings and beer.

 

[Blue85]

So it slips and shifts hard during the same run or it has these different symptoms on different days?

Because alternating between too harsh and too soft makes me think something in the TV valve-train is hanging up. I had mine hang up when it was cold because I had a bad part wearing and putting a little debris in the fluid. It always seemed to stick "in" because I basically couldn't get out of 1st gear until the fluid warmed a little. I never had it stick "out" and make the tranny slip.

You could try cleaning the TV and putting it back in. I can't remember off-hand if that valve can be pulled out without removing the valve body. Even pulling the valve body can be done without scrapping the gasket, you just have to be VERY careful not to lose check-balls or you get the pain of researching where they all go again. The valve is in several pieces so you need to note how they came out and put them back in exactly the same way.

But let's be sure of the symptoms first. It slips during a certain shift, all shifts or while it is in the middle of a gear? Which shifts are harsh? The 1-2 or 2-3 or both?