Shifts late, but just in first gear

ERICJREAMS

MEMBER
2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
3.4L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
220,000 MILES

When I do a cold start it will not shift out of first at all. I drive it until it warms up, which is a long period of time. It will finally shift into second, but every time it needs to shift into second I have to let off gas at high rpm's just to get it to shift. Every other gear it shifts fine. Please help me.

2 Replies

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,411 POSTS

First thing you should do is check the fluid level. If it is low then top off the transmission and road test. The transmission would need to be warmed up. If the level is good and you have a bunch of foam on the fluid then that would indicate an internal fluid leak. When the transmission warms up the seals swell up to stop the leak which will make it shift okay afterwards. If the Check Engine light is on then scan it for codes. A fault in the transmission will set the check engine light. Here is a link on transmission problems:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

With the mileage on your vehicle I would recommend a complete overhaul if you do have fault codes stored for a solenoid fault. When the clutches start to wear out, the debris can get into the solenoids causing them to jam. If you only replace the affected solenoid you may get by for a little while but the new fluid when you fill it back up will clean away the varnish and cause more problems. You can find a new transmission online with no core charge or find a use transmission online as well. Hopefully it is just low on fluid where you can have it checked for leaks and repair that leak.