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  July 18, 2011 10:24 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

  I recently bought an '03 Chevy Express 2500 with 319,000 miles and no records. It drives well but shifts HARD into second gear. How do I diagnose the cause?

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  July 18, 2011 11:51 p.m. doc_speeder Reader

  My truck did that when the TCC was slipping and it went into self-preservation mode. Does your TCC lock up properly?

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  July 19, 2011 6:08 a.m. bravenrace SuperDork

  In reply to MrJoshua:

  That's the lockup clutch failed. It wears the clutch out and the trans increases the fluid pressure to compensate, thus causing the hard shifting. It's a very common failure, and unfortunately requires removing the trans to repair. Usually that justifies a rebuild. BTW, the engine in that van should be an LQ9.

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  July 19, 2011 7:25 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

  bravenrace wrote: In reply to MrJoshua: That's the lockup clutch failed. It wears the clutch out and the trans increases the fluid pressure to compensate, thus causing the hard shifting. It's a very common failure, and unfortunately requires removing the trans to repair. Usually that justifies a rebuild. BTW, the engine in that van should be an LQ9.

  Whats a rough guess on a rebuild? Any idea of the expected lifespan of these trans? (Basically-is a low mile Junkyard unit worth buying instead of a rebuild?)

  Just one zuccinni as i get there property Vibram all 5 ring finger shoes and boots anticipating everyone uncover.

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  July 19, 2011 8:04 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

  I would recommend a lower mile salvage unit, a new filter kit and fluid.

  I have the feeling our government is banking on the popularity of American Cheese.

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  July 19, 2011 8:35 a.m. bravenrace SuperDork

  In reply to MrJoshua:

  This problem is common, so I can't really recommend a used unit unless you don't mind installing it and then taking it back out. But it may depend on how much your van is worth. A decent rebuild will be in the neighborhood of $1500.
  My advice would be to first take it to a reputable trans shop to verify the problem. It's the only cause I've seen for this symptom, but there may be others, so don't take my word as gospel.

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  July 19, 2011 9:18 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

  In reply to bravenrace:

  Lol-the van cost me $1500

  Just one zuccinni as i get there property Vibram all 5 ring finger shoes and boots anticipating everyone uncover.

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  July 19, 2011 10:30 a.m. Nashco SuperDork

  Forget the real cause of the hard shifts and tell the kids it's a race van feature.

  Bryce

  Portland, OR | '69 Bug | '05 Saabaru | '67 122S | '07 Sky Redline | $2009 AWD Fiero Hybrid | '72 N600 | '00 Insight

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  July 19, 2011 12:29 p.m. 93gsxturbo HalfDork

  Find someone with EFI Live or HP Tuners and program it so it shifts hard into every gear.

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  July 20, 2011 12:04 p.m. Vigo Dork

  $1500 for that van? wow..

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  July 20, 2011 10:13 p.m. AquaHusky Reader

  I'm with Nashco. Enjoy the 1-2 shift chirps!

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  July 20, 2011 10:42 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

  Vigo wrote: $1500 for that van? wow..

  Since the internet makes it difficult to detect sarcasm, I will assume that yours was a serious post and there wasn't any! After buying a 50k 2005 Chevy V8 truck motor for $285 for another project I came to the realization that high production volume means massively cheap used parts for high mileage vans. I can basically rebuild this thing with junkyard parts and stay way under market value. I am slightly sad that my first vehicle powered by a big Chevy V8 is a van.

  Just one zuccinni as i get there property Vibram all 5 ring finger shoes and boots anticipating everyone uncover.

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  July 21, 2011 12:55 a.m. Vigo Dork

  If i was one to swap a 6.0 into something id love to have that van for $1500. Id get more than half of that back out of it even after taking the drivetrain out. Maybe get ALL of it back if i tried hard enough. Good buy. :)

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