Transmission No 1st gear and basically limp mode. Free fix.

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byargeon1

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I hope this is ok posted here. I can go into more detail and post pics if needed. I've got an 02 z71 Tahoe that suddenly lost first and 4th. Fluid was perfect but had 5 or 6 codes for solenoids and electrical issues for transmission. Replaced both shift solenoids and no change. Finally figured out the fuse for power to transmission was in drivers fusebox as Ign 0. It was fine. Decided to check for voltage with key on and it was 0. Traced it back to ignition switch and found a little white wire broken loose from switch. I disconnected my battery, removed switch, and soldered the wire back to its pad. Been going strong since. Its almost like it's better than before because it had to have been ready to break and probably wasn't getting full voltage or I'm just happy to have 4 forward gears again. So if you've lost 1st for no apparent reason,check for voltage to Ign 0 fuse inside cab. If 12v it's something else but if 0 find that wire and save yourself a lot of money and time. New switch was $157 if I didn't fix it. If this helps 1 person that's enough for me. Any questions just message me and I'll help if I can.
 

ivin74

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I hope this is ok posted here. I can go into more detail and post pics if needed. I've got an 02 z71 Tahoe that suddenly lost first and 4th. Fluid was perfect but had 5 or 6 codes for solenoids and electrical issues for transmission. Replaced both shift solenoids and no change. Finally figured out the fuse for power to transmission was in drivers fusebox as Ign 0. It was fine. Decided to check for voltage with key on and it was 0. Traced it back to ignition switch and found a little white wire broken loose from switch. I disconnected my battery, removed switch, and soldered the wire back to its pad. Been going strong since. Its almost like it's better than before because it had to have been ready to break and probably wasn't getting full voltage or I'm just happy to have 4 forward gears again. So if you've lost 1st for no apparent reason,check for voltage to Ign 0 fuse inside cab. If 12v it's something else but if 0 find that wire and save yourself a lot of money and time. New switch was $157 if I didn't fix it. If this helps 1 person that's enough for me. Any questions just message me and I'll help if I can.
Please post pictures where you made the repair.
 
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byargeon1

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The pic with red arrows are pointing to the white wire that had completely became unattached from solder point and yellow wire that if I breathed in it hard would also be unattached on ignition switch. The other pic is just the switch circled to show you where you need to look for the switch. I also removed the ignition switch from column to be able to solder ok and not damage anything else.
 

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89Suburban

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Thanks for taking the time to post this.
 
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byargeon1

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It's no problem at all. Hopefully someone will see this who couldn't afford a mechanic and/or new ignition switch and saves them money,time and aggravation. My whole no 1st and limp mode crap happened at the exact same time as my antifreeze wanted to mix it up with my trans fluid. I was saving for a new transmission. What are the odds of trans getting water in it and wire breaking on the same day? Very good from my perspective. Lol. Y'all have a good one and thank you all for the positive comments.
 

mpc2488

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I'm sorry it's took me so long to reply. I will post some pics within the hour. Thanks.
I'm having similar issues.Did it sometimes shift properly and then sometimes not before you fixed it? Like, for example, 1 day I will start it and it will drive perfectly fine with No issues, and then the next day it will drive like it doesn't have first year Or overdrive, no slipping at all.Transmission drives fine other than that.
 

mpc2488

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I'm having similar issues.Did it sometimes shift properly and then sometimes not before you fixed it? Like, for example, 1 day I will start it and it will drive perfectly fine with No issues, and then the next day it will drive like it doesn't have first year Or overdrive, no slipping at all.Transmission drives fine other

I'm having similar issues.Did it sometimes shift properly and then sometimes not before you fixed it? Like, for example, 1 day I will start it and it will drive perfectly fine with No issues, and then the next day it will drive like it doesn't have first year Or overdrive, no slipping at all.Transmission drives fine other than that.
Also , this morning , I started it and drove it and it was Not shifting into first or fourth I drove it for a little while shut it off and turned on and now it's shifting fine In all gears.
 

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