700R4 transmission won't upshift out of low

it will not upshift out of low, I tried shifting it manually, it still stays in low.
it has reverse,has no slippage.engages in every range firmly. any help will be appreciated.


fluid had reddish color, didn't smell burned,I saw no metal flakes in the fluid. I just bought this van a week ago, it had a bad front seal in the trans,which has since been replaced

What year and engine and mileage on transmission?
Any codes engine or transmission?

If metal in fluid pull pan and check filter and for what is in bottom of pan.
Post back wiyh more info?

What year and engine and mileage on transmission?
Any codes engine or transmission?

If metal in fluid pull pan and check filter and for what is in bottom of pan.
Post back wiyh more info?

the van is a 1992. engine is a 350, with 154k on both engine and trans.
check engine light was not on.( can't pull any codes till the battery is hooked back up.)I have the pan loose, but not removed yet,(I have to remove the trans crossmember before I can get it out) what fluid spilled out looked clear,but I will have the pan off this afternoon,and will post what I find.

this van appears to have had good care, I honestly don't think the mileage on this one is an issue, as I had this same trans in another GM car, and it had 275k, and had never been apart,worked like a charm.

Things to check.
If good reverse and no slipage you may be able to save it.
Check govenor gear for being stripped out and governor weights for being stuck.
Check TV cabel for proper adjustment and being hooked up and for a double pull on cabel.

Check for metal or clutches in pan and check filter.

And when you put fluid back in it make sure the fluid is full engine running hot in park.
Let us know how it goes and what you find.

Things to check.
If good reverse and no slipage you may be able to save it.
Check govenor gear for being stripped out and governor weights for being stuck.
Check TV cabel for proper adjustment and being hooked up and for a double pull on cabel.

Check for metal or clutches in pan and check filter.

And when you put fluid back in it make sure the fluid is full engine running hot in park.
Let us know how it goes and what you find.

when I first test drove it before I bought it, I filled it to the correct level. the trans went in all gears firm,and moved without slipping. I pulled the governor yesterday,the gear was good,and the valve inside seemed to move freely. I guess it wouldn't hurt to disassemble and clean it to be safe.

I will pull the pan right after lunch,and report back what I find inside

thanks for the info!

Also make sur you check the TV cable and confirm fluid level.
Good luck

Also make sur you check the TV cable and confirm fluid level.
Good luck

just finished with pan removal, and I did not see anything out of the ordinary in the pan , I saw no metal flakes,or clutch pieces. filter looked normal. I got the battery hooked back up, to check for any codes, there were none, except for the acknowledgment code 12

That year is not computer controlled on shifting.
How is TV cable and adjustment?
Is it hooked up? And pulling good?

That year is not computer controlled on shifting.
How is TV cable and adjustment?
Is it hooked up? And pulling good?

TV cable is hooked up,looks like a replacement one. I moved it 6,maybe 7 notches up in the slider,( it looked like it was barely thru the slider before) it seems to have good pull, moves freely and smooth. maybe it was not adjusted right by the installer?

do you recommend adding any transmission additive when I put the new fluid in?

TV cable is hooked up,looks like a replacement one. I moved it 6,maybe 7 notches up in the slider,( it looked like it was barely thru the slider before) it seems to have good pull, moves freely and smooth. maybe it was not adjusted right by the installer?

do you recommend adding any transmission additive when I put the new fluid in?

Just clean new fluid.
No additive is the best additive.

On your TV cabel adjustment set it for a full pull at wide open throttle for first adjustment and see if it will upshift.
Also at about haft pull it goes to a double tv valve setup and it should have a stronger/harder pull on the last haft of pull.
Let us know how it goes.
Good luck

Just clean new fluid.
No additive is the best additive.

On your TV cabel adjustment set it for a full pull at wide open throttle for first adjustment and see if it will upshift.
Also at about haft pull it goes to a double tv valve setup and it should have a stronger/harder pull on the last haft of pull.
Let us know how it goes.
Good luck

ok, I'll keep you posted as to what happens

what MPH do the normal shift points occur ,so I can know when I have it right,or is there any way to tell?

First thing is to get it to shift.
Depending on engine load fine tune settings
15-20 mph 1 -2 gear
25-35 mph 2-3 gear
45-55 mph 3-OD.
Let us know how it goes.

First thing is to get it to shift.
Depending on engine load fine tune settings
15-20 mph 1 -2 gear
25-35 mph 2-3 gear
45-55 mph 3-OD.
Let us know how it goes.

hopefully early next week I'll have it ready to test, I'll let you know how it goes!

thanks for helping!

I got things all buttoned up,and refilled the trans with fresh,new fluid. started the engine,and ran it thru the gears, it has firm ingagement in reverse,and the forward gears. I decided to take it for a test drive, and it is still doing the same thing :banghead: not up shifting. so,while I was driving,I slowed down coming to a stop, I moved the gear selector to low, and I felt it downshifting into low.
so, when I pulled away from the stop sign, I tried upshifting manually, no luck. I was told that the vehicle speed sensor plays a role in the shifting of the transmission, here's part of a quote from an article I found online:
" Transmissions rely on VSS information for shift strategy."

while I was under the van I noticed it had an oily covering on the outside of it. should I try replacing this sensor?

On a reg 700R4 the VSS does not control shift.

Only valve body and governor.

Drive it a little more and manual shift it some and see what it does.
When you drop in in manual low and the back to 2 -3 or od does it catch another gear?

On a reg 700R4 the VSS does not control shift.

Only valve body and governor.

Drive it a little more and manual shift it some and see what it does.
When you drop in in manual low and the back to 2 -3 or od does it catch another gear?

when I try to manually upshift it from manual low,it doesn't do a thing. I also tried shifting from od to d, and from d to 2 and vice versa, with no change

what's stumping me is, it will downshift to manual low,but not upshift. this is driving me nuts! :banghead::banghead::banghead:

when I try to manually upshift it from manual low,it doesn't do a thing. I also tried shifting from od to d, and from d to 2 and vice versa, with no change

what's stumping me is, it will downshift to manual low,but not upshift. this is driving me nuts! :banghead::banghead::banghead:

Strange on that.
You might look at valve body and check for stuck valves.
Good luck

Strange on that.
You might look at valve body and check for stuck valves.
Good luck

can I access those shift valves without having to remove the entire valve body?
my reason for asking that is, I don't want to worry about losing any check balls, if any are present

wish I could put something in it that would help free any sticky valves, as I really don't look forward to draining and dropping the pan again

can I access those shift valves without having to remove the entire valve body?
my reason for asking that is, I don't want to worry about losing any check balls, if any are present

wish I could put something in it that would help free any sticky valves, as I really don't look forward to draining and dropping the pan again

About the only way is to drop the valve body and have a look at valves.
I have had several thta had TV valve bad or worn out.

Or swap out another valve body in it.

Also you might run a pressure gauge check on it and see if it is losing pressure some place.
Good Luck

About the only way is to drop the valve body and have a look at valves.
I have had several thta had TV valve bad or worn out.

Or swap out another valve body in it.

Also you might run a pressure gauge check on it and see if it is losing pressure some place.
Good Luck

well..... looks like I have a valve body removal job ahead of me :banghead: Is there anything special I need to know? I will have to do it with the trans still in the van.Also is there a valve body separator plate that would hold check balls in place while the valve body is out? Lastly,where would I find valve body gaskets for it,if I needed them ? any tips will be greatly appreciated.

well..... looks like I have a valve body removal job ahead of me :banghead: Is there anything special I need to know? I will have to do it with the trans still in the van.Also is there a valve body separator plate that would hold check balls in place while the valve body is out? Lastly,where would I find valve body gaskets for it,if I needed them ? any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Parts place or transmission parts place for gaskets.
The seperator plate comes down with valve body.

Get a transmission hand book on the valve body and valves and check balls.

Transmission places have ATRA and ATSG hand books with all of the good info and pictures.

Good Luck

I had a wild thought, maybe I am not adjusting the TV cable the right way??
what I did, I moved the cable adjuster toward the engine,is this the right way?

anyways, I'm going to take a day or two break from it,then tackle the valve body

I had a wild thought, maybe I am not adjusting the TV cable the right way??
what I did, I moved the cable adjuster toward the engine,is this the right way?

anyways, I'm going to take a day or two break from it,then tackle the valve body

Set it so it has a full pull on wide open throttle.

Open throttle/gas pedal all of the way open and the cable should be pulled all of the way like tight with gas pedal all of the way down.

Set it so it has a full pull on wide open throttle.

Open throttle/gas pedal all of the way open and the cable should be pulled all of the way like tight with gas pedal all of the way down.

I'll definately double check that first before I go through all the trouble (and mess) of removing the valve body, maybe I still don't have it set right yet

I'll keep you posted!

thanks!

I rechecked the TV cable adjustment, it is set for full pull at WOT, I held throttle lever wide open,cable is nice and tight. so, looks like I will be pulling a valve body, ugh!

I rechecked the TV cable adjustment, it is set for full pull at WOT, I held throttle lever wide open,cable is nice and tight. so, looks like I will be pulling a valve body, ugh!

Good luck and you might run a pressure check/test for pressure loss.
ALSO WITH VAQLVE BODY DOWN YOU CAN RUN A AIR CHECK ON CLUTCH PACKS.
Good luck

if I have to end up replacing the entire transmission, what years of the 700R4 interchange? and does it have to be from a van/truck?

if I have to end up replacing the entire transmission, what years of the 700R4 interchange? and does it have to be from a van/truck?

Use one from same engine and close to same year.
Always check the bone yard interchange.
Good luck

well, I managed to get the valve body down, the 3 check balls fell into the drain pan ( hoping I can find where they go in the valve body)
man, it was a messy job!!
I plan on removing each shift valve,and place them in a seperate bag to clean and inspect them,and I will then have the main casting taken and have it cleaned and blown dry with air. hopefully this will cure the problem

well, I managed to get the valve body down, the 3 check balls fell into the drain pan ( hoping I can find where they go in the valve body)
man, it was a messy job!!
I plan on removing each shift valve,and place them in a seperate bag to clean and inspect them,and I will then have the main casting taken and have it cleaned and blown dry with air. hopefully this will cure the problem
You May be more than 3 balls.
Get a good transmission hand book.
They have Good pictures and diagrams of everything.
Make sure all valves and springs are in right spot and not worn out and move free.
Also air check all clutch packs when valve body is down.
Good Luck

You May be more than 3 balls.
Get a good transmission hand book.
They have Good pictures and diagrams of everything.
Make sure all valves and springs are in right spot and not worn out and move free.
Also air check all clutch packs when valve body is down.
Good Luck

the ones that were in the drain pan that came from the valve body, was a large,and 2 small ones. if there are more the might be up in the case, underneath the separator plate, which stayed in place when I lowered the valve body. I found a site, that has lots of exploded views,to help me with this latest project. I'll keep you updated!

I found a shift valve that moved rather stiff, was the one closest to the manual,or selector valve ( I forget what it's called). I went thru and moved all the other shift valves,and they are moving freely. I cleaned and lubed the offending valve with clean fluid,and put it back in, and it moved free again. I bet the sticking one was the 1-2 valve, which was the cause of the problem.

so I'll clean the other valves, then I will double check all the valve movements,and put it back in. I don't have access to any air,so I can't air check the clutch packs. so all I can do,is put everything back together,and hope for the best.

I found a shift valve that moved rather stiff, was the one closest to the manual,or selector valve ( I forget what it's called). I went thru and moved all the other shift valves,and they are moving freely. I cleaned and lubed the offending valve with clean fluid,and put it back in, and it moved free again. I bet the sticking one was the 1-2 valve, which was the cause of the problem.

so I'll clean the other valves, then I will double check all the valve movements,and put it back in. I don't have access to any air,so I can't air check the clutch packs. so all I can do,is put everything back together,and hope for the best.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

well, I buttoned everything back up today,put the fluid back in it, and went to take it out for a test drive,and now it won't come out of park :banghead:
I put everything back exactly as it came out. I was pressing on the brake pedal while trying to move it out of park.

what's wrong now??:banghead: I am getting very frustrated now!!

well, I buttoned everything back up today,put the fluid back in it, and went to take it out for a test drive,and now it won't come out of park :banghead:
I put everything back exactly as it came out. I was pressing on the brake pedal while trying to move it out of park.

what's wrong now??:banghead: I am getting very frustrated now!!

Check fuses on park lock solenoid.

Check fuses on park lock solenoid.

I didn't know it had a park lock solenoid, all I saw was the standard mechanical linkage on mine

if it does have one, where would the fuse be? in the fuse block,or inline?


also, is there a way to remove the trans pan without having to remove the crossmember? (also can't lower exhaust, studs are rusted)

I didn't know it had a park lock solenoid, all I saw was the standard mechanical linkage on mine

if it does have one, where would the fuse be? in the fuse block,or inline?


also, is there a way to remove the trans pan without having to remove the crossmember? (also can't lower exhaust, studs are rusted)

Is the shift lever locked in park:
Unhook the linkage going to transmission and see if it is linkage to transmission locked or inside transmission.

If the crossmember is in the road it has to be moved back/down/over.

Is the shift lever locked in park:
Unhook the linkage going to transmission and see if it is linkage to transmission locked or inside transmission.

If the crossmember is in the road it has to be moved back/down/over.

yes, it's locked in park, I'll crawl underneath (again :banghead: ) and see what's wrong this time

found the source of the problem, had something backwards at the selector lever.I corrected it, it now works.

however, after going thru the mess of removing,and cleaning the valve body, the no up shift problem still persists :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: so, should I toss this trans,and get another one??

found the source of the problem, had something backwards at the selector lever.I corrected it, it now works.

however, after going thru the mess of removing,and cleaning the valve body, the no up shift problem still persists :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: so, should I toss this trans,and get another one??

You have done all you can to save it.
Yes it is time for a rebuild or another ttransmission.
Good Luck And let us know how it goes.

I was afraid of that all along, I should have replaced it before I spent the money replacing the seals,and doing all the other work in it. I guess I thought since it was going into the gears ok,it could be saved. wonder what caused it to do what it is doing??

anyways, I thank you for all the advise and help you've given me

I was afraid of that all along, I should have replaced it before I spent the money replacing the seals,and doing all the other work in it. I guess I thought since it was going into the gears ok,it could be saved. wonder what caused it to do what it is doing??

anyways, I thank you for all the advise and help you've given me

You are welcome
You did you best to save it.
Good Luck on another one.
Let us know how it goes.

Throttle valve is not stroking in the bore,,,,stuck in detent mode,,,,should have return spring installed and seperator plate drilled...better yet transgo "cutter valve" installed

gbaum

found another trans, however the VSS sensor wheel is damaged, so I want to use the one off my dead trans, can someone tell me how to get it off the shaft?

found another trans, however the VSS sensor wheel is damaged, so I want to use the one off my dead trans, can someone tell me how to get it off the shaft?

It takes a special puller to remove it with breakingg it.

Or you can buy a new one and take a piece of steel pipe the right size and drive it on your replacement transmission.
Good luck.

It takes a special puller to remove it with breakingg it.

Or you can buy a new one and take a piece of steel pipe the right size and drive it on your replacement transmission.
Good luck.

thanks for the info

I solved the sensor gear issue, and installed the trans earlier this week. when I started it today to test drive it, it makes a loud clattering sound as it is running, it can be felt on the bellhousing. I know the converter was seated properly, I double checked this before bolting the trans up. What could be wrong now???

I solved the sensor gear issue, and installed the trans earlier this week. when I started it today to test drive it, it makes a loud clattering sound as it is running, it can be felt on the bellhousing. I know the converter was seated properly, I double checked this before bolting the trans up. What could be wrong now???

Cracked flywheel?
Converter bolts tight?
Splash cover rubbing?

Cracked flywheel?
Converter bolts tight?
Splash cover rubbing?

flywheel wasn't cracked, convertor bolts were tightened to spec. I lowered the splash cover so it was clear of the flywheel & convertor, still makes the noise.

flywheel wasn't cracked, convertor bolts were tightened to spec. I lowered the splash cover so it was clear of the flywheel & convertor, still makes the noise.

Any chance ther starter drive or end is rubbing flywheel?

checked the starter clearances, and all was well, I just had a thought, is it possible that I might have the flywheel on backwards (wrong side facing the convertor) would that cause the problem I am having?

checked the starter clearances, and all was well, I just had a thought, is it possible that I might have the flywheel on backwards (wrong side facing the convertor) would that cause the problem I am having?

Not sure about that.

I would unbolt converter and slide it back and then start engine and see if it still has noise.

Not sure about that.

I would unbolt converter and slide it back and then start engine and see if it still has noise.

I unbolted the converter, fired it up,and there was no noise. I then bolted the convertor back up, and the noise was back. the number of input splines was the same,30 splines. I could feel the converter contacting the front pump tangs,so I know it's seated fully. someone told me that the starter might need shimmed, could that be the problem??

I unbolted the converter, fired it up,and there was no noise. I then bolted the convertor back up, and the noise was back. the number of input splines was the same,30 splines. I could feel the converter contacting the front pump tangs,so I know it's seated fully. someone told me that the starter might need shimmed, could that be the problem??

Might not hurt to try that.

I put 3 shims in, and it still makes the noise. here is a pic of the flywheel, it shows the side that I have facing the convertor:
is this right?, or does the side shown in the pic face the engine??
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/carnut_2007/8.jpg

I put 3 shims in, and it still makes the noise. here is a pic of the flywheel, it shows the side that I have facing the convertor:
is this right?, or does the side shown in the pic face the engine??
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/carnut_2007/8.jpg

Yes that is right.
Does the transmission go into gear forward and reverse?

I can feel it trying to go in gear, but the vibration noise gets louder,and becomes a higher pitch.

I can feel it trying to go in gear, but the vibration noise gets louder,and becomes a higher pitch.
If full of fluid and will not go into gear.
It is a internal transmission problem.
Might as well pull it out and go for another transmission.
Let us know how it goes.
GOOD lUCK

If full of fluid and will not go into gear.
It is a internal transmission problem.
Might as well pull it out and go for another transmission.
Let us know how it goes.
GOOD lUCK

Ugh. I think I will just get rid of this van, pulling the trans in a van is not exactly easy, and having to do it outside in the elements doesn't make it any easier.

Thanks for all the help!

Ugh. I think I will just get rid of this van, pulling the trans in a van is not exactly easy, and having to do it outside in the elements doesn't make it any easier.

Thanks for all the help!

You are welcome.
Sorry about the bad news on it.