Strange transmission problem

[JCope79]

Okay heres a quick rundown on the issue.
2009 Tahoe SSV with the 6spd auto.
It had been parked on jackstands for nearly 4 weeks while i was getting everything together to to longtube headers etc.. etc..
While it was torn down i went ahead and dropped the transmission pan to install a new trans filter.
Last night i got everything back together enough to start it up and check for leaks and whatnot. While it was running I replaced the transmission fluid that was drained when the pan was dropped.
While it was still on the stands and running i figured i would put the trans in drive , reverse, etc. When i put it in gear there is nothing. It doesnt seem to go into any gear at all. No wheelspin or movement at all. Anyone else had a similar problem with their Tahoe? Any suggestions on what to check first. Ill check to see if there are any codes other that the emissions codes from removing the cats. Yes having it professionally tuned is going to be done this week , as long as it will go into gear and can be driven to the tuning shop. Im stumped on what has went wrong. I didnt unplug anything associated with the trans.
On the bright side it does sound Really GOOD.

 

[97audia4]

Does the transmission display it's in drive ?

How is the level of the transmission fluid itself ? Did you remove the cable to remove the pan by chance ?

 

[JCope79]

Does the transmission display it's in drive ?

How is the level of the transmission fluid itself ? Did you remove the cable to remove the pan by chance ?

The display shows to be in gear and the fluid level is within operating level. I was actually wanting to run it on the stands to circulate the fluid a bit and recheck the level
I only removed the pan, emptied it, cleaned the sediment out, replaced the filter and re-installed everything.

 

[Kraig]

Does it rev like it’s in neutral?
Is the parking brake on?

 

[JCope79]

Does it rev like it’s in neutral?
Is the parking brake on?

Parking brake is released, and it will take throttle/rev in any gear i select.

 

[Kraig]

I think in the process of tearing everything down for long tubes and whatnot something is disconnected. Time for a thorough inspection

 

[JCope79]

I think in the process of tearing everything down for long tubes and whatnot something is disconnected. Time for a thorough inspection

Agreed, but the only thing that I intentionally unplugged was the O2 sensors.
I'll check again but is there anything else other than something unplugged that I should look for?

 

[97audia4]

Can you hear it physically make a sounds when you change gears? Any reason the drive line would be disconnected.

 

[JCope79]

No sounds that i have noticed yet.

 

[89Suburban]

This sucks, hope you figure it out. Should be something stupid. You have anybody else under there messing around?

 

[SnowDrifter]

Did you add fluid then start it? Or start it then add fluid? How's the level? When you did the filter, did you remove/replace the gasket for the pickup tube, or leave it in place? Any chance it came out? Filter fully seated?


With the car off, run through the gears and verify the transmission linkage is responding accordingly.

 

[Kraig]

Wild ass guess—a ground is knocked loose.

 

[Doubeleive]

this is when you need a tech2......, but otherwise first thing I would do is get under there and confirm the cable is connected everywhere it should be and that it is moving the control on the transmission back and forth I think someone else posted a while ago that they were doing some other work and somehow the cable was unbolted somewhere and even though it was connected to the transmission it wasn't shifting because it was loose

 

[JCope79]

this is when you need a tech2......, but otherwise first thing I would do is get under there and confirm the cable is connected everywhere it should be and that it is moving the control on the transmission back and forth I think someone else posted a while ago that they were doing some other work and somehow the cable was unbolted somewhere and even though it was connected to the transmission it wasn't shifting because it was loose

 

[JCope79]

After further review/inspection and advise I now have it driving and shifting all gears. (Not quite enough fluid)
However, The transmission is shifting strange . It will shift to a gear and it then seems to go into neutral until more throttle is applied. Its almost like it is hunting /searching for a gear. It had started doing this intermittently before i did the exhaust upgrade but i just assumed that doing a basic service to the trans would solve the issue. If it doesnt get better today after i drive it around a little more im going to take it to a local transmission shop to have it checked out by a professional. I was really hoping to get it tuned some time this week but i guess the best tune in the world will not matter if the transmission isnt operating correctly.

 

[Tonyrodz]

After further review/inspection and advise I now have it driving and shifting all gears. (Not quite enough fluid)
However, The transmission is shifting strange . It will shift to a gear and it then seems to go into neutral until more throttle is applied. Its almost like it is hunting /searching for a gear. It had started doing this intermittently before i did the exhaust upgrade but i just assumed that doing a basic service to the trans would solve the issue. If it doesnt get better today after i drive it around a little more im going to take it to a local transmission shop to have it checked out by a professional. I was really hoping to get it tuned some time this week but i guess the best tune in the world will not matter if the transmission isnt operating correctly.

Sounds like it's slipping. Fluid level is good?

 

[JCope79]

Sounds like it's slipping. Fluid level is good?

Yes, it is good. It is actually a slight bit high. I am kinda suspecting that the converter might be giving up. Im not really sure of the symptoms of a converter going out though.
When it holds a gear properly it will accelerate quite nicely but as soon as the accelerator is released its like its going into neutral and to get it to pull again you have to give it throttle momentarily to get it to engage so to speak.

 

[97audia4]

Yes, it is good. It is actually a slight bit high. I am kinda suspecting that the converter might be giving up. Im not really sure of the symptoms of a converter going out though.
When it holds a gear properly it will accelerate quite nicely but as soon as the accelerator is released its like its going into neutral and to get it to pull again you have to give it throttle momentarily to get it to engage so to speak.

What is the temp of the fluid while driving around?

 

[mikeyss]

Are you doing this with the wheels off the ground? If you are, I wonder if it's confusing TM since there's not any load on the vehicle? Just a thought I had.

 

[JCope79]

Not sure on the temperature of the fluid.
I'll check it out the next time I get time to drive it.
Originally I was testing it off the ground but I have been testing it on the road now that I have it full of fluid.
I have noticed a slight howl or cavitation sound when it is trying to shift but it's not doing it constantly.
I'm to the point of seeking the help of a trusted transmission shop. I'm just hoping it doesn't need a complete build.

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