1992 GMC Van NO UPSHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR

Tiny
MCAUTODOC
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 GMC VAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 207,000 MILES
VIN #2GDGG31K6N4506417 / 92 GMC VANDURA
3500

This van has had intermittent/erratic speedometer operation for 3-4 months now and now the transmission won't shift. I have no upshift from first gear, either automatically or manually using the column shift. I serviced the transmission; no clutch material or metal in the pan and the filter was okay, fluid had burnt smell to it. I checked the vehicle speed sensor resistance at 1,328 ohms; the slip ring inside the trans was tight and had no lateral movement that might give an erratic signal. I couldn't read any voltage to the VSS, either alternating or direct current. Please advise as soon as possible, trying to get it running for a customer.
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 AT 8:29 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
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If shifting is controlled by a TV cable, the cable is broke or out of adjustment. The cable would be attached to the throttle body cam and would route to top of trans.

If contolled by vacuum, check vacuum lines.

If neither helps, it is propably internal, governor, governor pressure sensor, pump.
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
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Shifting is electronic, no TV cable or vacuum modulator. I was told by the dealer that there might be a PCM/TCM located on or around the passenger side kick panel and that Chevy/GM has had problems with them but I couldn't find it. Need further diagnostic procedures if you have any or any other suggestions before I condemn the trans, thanks.
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Thursday, March 12th, 2009 AT 6:19 AM
Tiny
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4L80E


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/108325_4l80e_1.jpg

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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 AT 7:08 AM
Tiny
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This has been the transmission from hell; I followed everything you gave me and finally condemned the tranny. The customer (fleet) pulled me a shifting tranny out of one of their junk vans that had recently had the engine blown. This tranny came out of a late model 1992 GMC Vandura with a different pin/11-wire configuration than the van I've put it in, an early model (12/91) with a 12-wire configuration. The customer sent me the male plug that goes in the tranny to adapt to the existing wiring harness along with a wiring schematic (attached). I installed the tranny & plug, road tested it and got it to shift into high gear; even got it on interstate and initially into overdrive but after I turned around to head back the speedometer started wandering between 45-55 mph and then all of a sudden will drop down below 35 mph and the tranny shifts into a lower gear. It then becomes erratic as the speedometer wanders all over the dial and the tranny tries to shift accordingly. I swapped the rear output speed sensor with the input speed sensor to see if the problem would follow the swap and it made no difference at all. I stripped the wiring harness attached to the tranny and found the two wrapped/twisted wire leads going into the input speed sensor to have the outer insulation stripped and touching so I replaced the plug with a like used plug an wiring I had from the wiring harness the customer sent me but this made no difference. I searched and ensured this vehicle doesn't have a PCM (also confirmed by the dealer with the VIN #) then pulled the ECM out and ohmed out the wiring between the tranny plug and the plugs going into the computer. There are two plugs going into the ECM; one 16 pin & the other 12 pin. According to the schematic the customer supplied me, I get continuity from pin E on the tranny plug at three different locations on the 16-pin ECM plug; I also get continuity from pin L on the tranny plug at five different locations, three on the 16-pin ECM plug and two on the 12-pin ECM plug. I'm not sure now that the diagram the customer sent me is accurate; the wiring color doesn't seem to be matching up like I thought it did and I'm at a stopping point. Need any and all assistance you can give me and also need an accurate schematic.
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Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 3:36 AM
Tiny
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I will post on moderators forum to get some more people involved.
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Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi,

Just dropping by to see if I can be of assistance.

I need to confirm this :
What are the model code of both trans?

Gasoline models uses the PCM control whereas Diesel engines uses a TCM so there should be no TCM on your vehicle.

Your problem seems to stem from a faulty VSS or its signal source to the PCM.

We also can't rule out incompatability of tran with the PCM.

Did you try to retrieve for DTCs? If it is VSS signals it could possibly show a Code 24.

The VIN indicates this model is Canadian and some data are not available so I might need more clarification when the need arises.
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Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
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Can anyone supply me with the wiring schematic(s) that show the wiring from the transmission harness plug to the ECM? This truck does not have a PCM; confirmed that at the dealer with the VIN #.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2009 AT 2:59 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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PCM = ECM + TCM. The ECM in your vehicle is known as a PCM as it also incorporates transmission control.

I have 3 different wiring diagrams for different series so you would have to figure which is the correct one for your vehicle. The diagrams won't come out correctly in the post as it is too small so I will send them to you by email.

Just to confirm your email.
" quintonpayne@yahoo. Com "?

Let me know when you receive them.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2009 AT 8:05 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for the reply & info; the email is correct and I'll be waiting for them.
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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 6:45 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Documents on the way.

Let me know if it works out.
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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 10:11 AM

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