Chevrolet Repair: 2001 Chevy Blazer, chevy blazer, shifting gears


Question
QUESTION: I have a 2001 Chevrolet Truck Blazer 4WD 4.3L SFI 6cyl. I just bought this truck Feb 2012 and when I did they had just replaced the transmission(I have been the only person to drive with this transmission). Now, a few weeks ago my truck was leaking transmission fluid, I brought it to my mechanic and he tightened 9 of 12 bolts underneath and said it was all set. Ran ok for a day then had to bring it back because it wasn't shifting gears. We then replaced the seals and gasket. We went to pick it up but when we were going to leave it would not shift out of 2nd gear. My mechanic is now telling me that it is the solenoids and that I should replace the whole transmission because this would be easier. So my question(s) are how hard is it to replace the solenoid(s)? Do you think I should just replace the transmission even though a new one was just put in 9 months ago? Any advice is appreciated

ANSWER: HI KERRI, IF THE TRANS WAS JUST REPLACED 9 MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS [[COMPLETLEY REBUILD WITH NEW CLUCHES AND SEALS,]]DO YOU HAVE PROOF OF THIS ???  THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD BE REMOVING THIS TRANSMISSION BECASUE OF SHIFT VALVES, OR SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE SHIFT VALVES ARE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION PAN, DROP THE PAN AND THEY ARE ON THE VALVE BODY [INSTEAD OF SLIDE VALVES THEY ARE ELECTRONIC SHIFT VALVES]THEY GET THE SIGNAL FROM THE PCM TO TELL IT WHEN TO SHIFT..THEY SIMPLY UNSCREW FROM THE VALVE BODY. [PIECE OF CAKE]I THINK YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE THIS TRUCK TO ANOTHER TECH FOR A SECOND OPINION..HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND GOOD LUCK...TOM

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QUESTION: Is it ok to drive the truck in 2nd gear to get it to a new mechanic, it is still at my mechanics shop because he told me it was not drive-able since it is in 2nd gear.? I unfortunately, do not have proof of the transmission as I bought the truck from my mechanic and he put it in the day before I bought it, I did see the tranny before it went in though. Is there anywhere I could find a diagram to replace the shift valves? Thank you so much for all your help.

Answer
HI KERRI AGAIN,YOU CAN DRIVE THIS TRUCK EVEN IF IT ONLY GETS INTO SECOND GEAR AS LONG AS YOU GO NO MORE THEN 35 MPH...DID THE TRANSMISSION LOOK NEW THAT THEY PUT IN ??? I HOPE IT WAS NOT A USED ONE JUST PAINTED !!!! WHICH PEOPLE WILL DO THAT AND SAY IT IS REBUILT...AS FAR AS YOU DOING THIS YOURSELF, YES YOU COULD DO IT,, IF YOU HAVE SOME MECHANICAL BACK GROUND. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS FIND OUT WHICH SHIFT VALVES ARE BAD BY GETTING IT SCANNED AND THEN GO TO THE CHEVY STORE AND PURCHASE THE NEW SOLENOIDS. SUCH AS 1 TO 2 SHIFT OR 2 TO 3 SHIFT SOLENOIDS. ONCE YOU REMOVE THE TRANS PAN YOU WILL SEE THE SOLENOIDS AFTER YOU REMOVE THE FILTER. SLIDE THE CLIP AWAY AND PULL THE FILTER STRAIGHT DOWN,HELD TIGHT BY A RUBBER SEAL...NOW JUST BECAUSE THE THE CODES ARE TELLING YOU THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOIDS ARE BAD DOES NOT MEAN THAT THIS IS FOR SURE THE PROBLEM..THERE MAYBE A CLUTCH PACK OR INTERNAL SEAL FAILURE GOING ON AS WELL. BUT,AND THIS IS A BIG BUT. IF THE TRANS WAS REBUILT AS YOU SAID >>> YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS. JUST REPLACE THESE SOLENOIDS AS THE CODES TELL YOU AND THIS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT..ONCE YOU LOOK INSIDE THE TRANS EVERYTHING SHOULD BE VERY CLEAN WITH VERY LITTLE CLUTCH MATERIAL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN. SOMETIMES THESE SOLENOIDS GET STICKY FROM AND DIRT PARTICALS AFTER REBUILT. USUALLY THEY DO NOT REPLACE THESE WHEN REBUILDING A TRANS. JUST THOUGHT YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY FAIL.. LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES.  GOOD LUCK,,,TOM..