2011 tahoe first gear issue

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jhous09

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2023
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
I am having a issue with my 2011 tahoe coming to a stop it seems to come out of first gear and go to neutral and then back into gear. Sometimes it will not go back into gear and will roll backwards until you rev up the engine then it slams into gear and drives fine until you come to a stop. I just had the transmission "rebuilt" but I'm pretty sure this is the same problem I was having before the rebuild. I asked him if he replaced the sprag and he said he "checked it" but didn't just replace it cause it's a 500 part. I'm just wondering if another sensor or component could be causing this issue before I just go buy a used transmission and swap it in to see if the problem goes away so that I can prove that this transmission guy ripped me off.
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
30,552
Reaction score
48,016
Location
Stockton, Ca.
I am having a issue with my 2011 tahoe coming to a stop it seems to come out of first gear and go to neutral and then back into gear. Sometimes it will not go back into gear and will roll backwards until you rev up the engine then it slams into gear and drives fine until you come to a stop. I just had the transmission "rebuilt" but I'm pretty sure this is the same problem I was having before the rebuild. I asked him if he replaced the sprag and he said he "checked it" but didn't just replace it cause it's a 500 part. I'm just wondering if another sensor or component could be causing this issue before I just go buy a used transmission and swap it in to see if the problem goes away so that I can prove that this transmission guy ripped me off.
you didn't get a warranty?
 

Dustin Jackson

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Posts
1,788
Reaction score
2,064
@jhous09 What exactly did you have done to your transmission and how much did it cost you?

If you had a problem and you paid someone to fix it and they didn’t fix it…
 
OP
OP
J

jhous09

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2023
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
I have already pulled it twice and had him go through it again. He just keeps saying that there is nothing wrong with it but at this point I don't really trust the guys work.
 
OP
OP
J

jhous09

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2023
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
@jhous09 What exactly did you have done to your transmission and how much did it cost you?

If you had a problem and you paid someone to fix it and they didn’t fix it…
It was suppose to be a rebuild. I let the builder know exactly what it was doing. But come to find out he didn't replace some of the parts that I guess should be replaced when rebuilding a 6l80. He says he inspected them and nothing is wrong with it so I'm wondering if something else could be causing the problem or a part he didn't replace is the problem
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
21,296
Reaction score
30,248
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
I am having a issue with my 2011 tahoe coming to a stop it seems to come out of first gear and go to neutral and then back into gear. Sometimes it will not go back into gear and will roll backwards until you rev up the engine then it slams into gear and drives fine until you come to a stop. I just had the transmission "rebuilt" but I'm pretty sure this is the same problem I was having before the rebuild. I asked him if he replaced the sprag and he said he "checked it" but didn't just replace it cause it's a 500 part. I'm just wondering if another sensor or component could be causing this issue before I just go buy a used transmission and swap it in to see if the problem goes away so that I can prove that this transmission guy ripped me off.
This is often a problem with the TECHM solenoids that you can rebuild on your kitchen table without removing the transmission from the vehicle. That's what I think but let's ask our resident expert, Nick. @NickTransmissions
 

NickTransmissions

Sin City
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Posts
1,368
Reaction score
3,511
Location
The transmission bench
I am having a issue with my 2011 tahoe coming to a stop it seems to come out of first gear and go to neutral and then back into gear. Sometimes it will not go back into gear and will roll backwards until you rev up the engine then it slams into gear and drives fine until you come to a stop. I just had the transmission "rebuilt" but I'm pretty sure this is the same problem I was having before the rebuild. I asked him if he replaced the sprag and he said he "checked it" but didn't just replace it cause it's a 500 part. I'm just wondering if another sensor or component could be causing this issue before I just go buy a used transmission and swap it in to see if the problem goes away so that I can prove that this transmission guy ripped me off.
Sucks man, sorry to hear...I taught myself how to rebuild transmissions when the same thing happened to me when I was a teenager. Do you have a scanner capable of pulling/reading transmission-related DTCs?

Neutral in first could definitely be the sprag beginning to slip. I replace those each and every rebuild w/a GM AC Delco sprag assembly (Sonnax also makes a rebuild kit for them but I've never used it) - the assembly is around $125.00, not $500. I also replace the snap ring holding that spring in position on the back side of the center support on each overhaul (wonder if that was done at all).

If the TEHCM's fluid pressure switches are the problem, you're looking at TFP 1 as the possible culprit. If it's intermittently failing then you'll get a 'false neutral' condition in first gear followed by the transmission 'slamming' into gear. As @swathdiver mentioned, the diaphragms can sometimes either brake or get clogged up, impeding their ability to communicate information needed to control the transmission and they can be replaced on the bench w/the TEHCM out. Transgo sells a seals and diaphragm kit for those transmissions. The TEHCM should have been replaced with a compatable OEM TEHCM replacement unit.

Swapping in a Salvage Yard transmission:
You MUST verify that the TEHCM part number matches the part number on your TEHCM or have the TEHCM in the replacement 6L80 reprogrammed to match your vehicle's OS. If you don't do this, the replacement trans will never work right. You'll then need to do a fast adapt relearn to re-set the adapts to factory default before attempting to drive it. Go to a reputable salvage yard in your area if you're going to go this route - make sure you have a warranty so you can bring it back if it doesn't work.

You can check out my 6L80 Information thread (link in my signature) for more details around what parts and procedures need to accompany any rebuild of those units.
 
OP
OP
J

jhous09

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2023
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
Sucks man, sorry to hear...I taught myself how to rebuild transmissions when the same thing happened to me when I was a teenager. Do you have a scanner capable of pulling/reading transmission-related DTCs?

Neutral in first could definitely be the sprag beginning to slip. I replace those each and every rebuild w/a GM AC Delco sprag assembly (Sonnax also makes a rebuild kit for them but I've never used it) - the assembly is around $125.00, not $500. I also replace the snap ring holding that spring in position on the back side of the center support on each overhaul (wonder if that was done at all).

If the TEHCM's fluid pressure switches are the problem, you're looking at TFP 1 as the possible culprit. If it's intermittently failing then you'll get a 'false neutral' condition in first gear followed by the transmission 'slamming' into gear. As @swathdiver mentioned, the diaphragms can sometimes either brake or get clogged up, impeding their ability to communicate information needed to control the transmission and they can be replaced on the bench w/the TEHCM out. Transgo sells a seals and diaphragm kit for those transmissions. The TEHCM should have been replaced with a compatable OEM TEHCM replacement unit.

Swapping in a Salvage Yard transmission:
You MUST verify that the TEHCM part number matches the part number on your TEHCM or have the TEHCM in the replacement 6L80 reprogrammed to match your vehicle's OS. If you don't do this, the replacement trans will never work right. You'll then need to do a fast adapt relearn to re-set the adapts to factory default before attempting to drive it. Go to a reputable salvage yard in your area if you're going to go this route - make sure you have a warranty so you can bring it back if it doesn't work.

You can check out my 6L80 Information thread (link in my signature) for more details around what parts and procedures need to accompany any rebuild of those units.
How do you do the fast adapt relearn? I do have a scanner that can communicate with the transmission and it never sets any codes.
 
OP
OP
J

jhous09

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2023
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
This is often a problem with the TECHM solenoids that you can rebuild on your kitchen table without removing the transmission from the vehicle. That's what I think but let's ask our resident expert, Nick. @NickTransmissions
Supposedly the techm has been replaced twice from the builder. I have no way of verifying if that is actually true
 
OP
OP
J

jhous09

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2023
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
That scanner is capable of doing anything you'd want to do on a car/truck/suv trans using a scan tool. I use all SnapOn scanners so if you're not sure how do the fast adapt on the Autel there's prob a few good YT vids available to bring you up to speed.
My scanner doesn't give me the option to do the fast relearn just reset
 

Gearz

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2023
Posts
117
Reaction score
133
Sorry about your troubles. If I said once I said it a thousand times. Why do people have a trans rebuilt. Use a GM remain and pay one time then it has a 3 year warrant. I made this mistake back in the 90’s for my truck that had an intermittent shudder that no one could find so I bit the bullet and put a GM reman in it. The problem with mine was a faulty torque converter or leakage but it cost me more in the long run. I will never have a trans rebuilt again. All GM remans also come with the latest updates which solve most issues Like valve body’s etc….
 

alpha_omega

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2017
Posts
986
Reaction score
1,737
Location
Michigan
Sorry about your troubles. If I said once I said it a thousand times. Why do people have a trans rebuilt. Use a GM remain and pay one time then it has a 3 year warrant. I made this mistake back in the 90’s for my truck that had an intermittent shudder that no one could find so I bit the bullet and put a GM reman in it. The problem with mine was a faulty torque converter or leakage but it cost me more in the long run. I will never have a trans rebuilt again. All GM remans also come with the latest updates which solve most issues Like valve body’s etc….
The only problem with a GM reman is that they only use GM parts, which most of the time is exactly what you want. However, some of the transmission components that GM makes are of “less quality”, especially when you consider any aftermarket components someone may have added - the torque converter being one of these items that needs to be properly welded prior to installation and the other being valve body. Granted these parts may not necessarily NEED to be replaced, but if not you run the risk of another rebuild sooner than expected.
 

NickTransmissions

Sin City
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Posts
1,368
Reaction score
3,511
Location
The transmission bench
@NickTransmissions is there any way to get the Transmission unique number to program the techm other than the side of the transmission?
Not that im aware of but perhaps there's a way to look it up in GMs online diagnostic web interface but that's just a wild ass guess.

Best way is to look at the tehcm itself...
 

Forum statistics

Threads
137,764
Posts
1,991,553
Members
102,753
Latest member
Deennoek
Back
Top