Transmission not shifting properly?

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Most certainly. The VSS can be the entire problem. However, before just replacing it, have you checked for diagnostic trouble codes? Usually a bad sensor will set a code indicating the failure.

Pic 1 shows VSS location.

If you check the VSS and it's good, continue to the next test.

If you get a code 16, there is most likely an issue with the VSS buffer. Here are the directions for testing it.

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
This DTC concerns a loss of 2002 pulses per mile to the PCM terminal "F13." This may be caused by loss of power to the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) buffer or an open or grounded signal line.

DTC 16 WILL SET WHEN
Less than 2 mph.
1400 to 5000 rpm.
Throttle angle less than 2%.
ECT greater than 60°C (140°F).
MAP less than or equal to 27 kPa.
CKT 1716 open or grounded.
All conditions must be met for 2 seconds.

ACTION TAKEN (PCM WILL DEFAULT TO)
None.

DTC 16 WILL CLEAR WHEN
Conditions for fault are no longer present and Tech 1 "clear DTCs" function is used or 50 ignition switch keycycles have passed with no further faults or ignition switch is turned "OFF" and battery feed voltage is removed for 10 seconds.

DTC CHART TEST DESCRIPTION
Number(s) below refer to circled number(s) on the diagnostic chart.

1. This tests for B+ at VSS buffer.

2. This tests for proper ground path for vehicle speed sensor signal buffer.

3. This tests for vehicle speed sensor signal buffer signal to PCM.

4. This test checks for faulty connections and a faulty VSS buffer.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
Check connections at VSS buffer and PCM. Refer to appropriate trouble codes if DTC 24 or DTC 72 is also set.

The remaining pics are a flow chart for checking this issue. The last two pics show location of the VSS buffer.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions

Joe
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEONARD74
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
The transmission will not shift in auto. Can put in 1st and shift to 3rd manualy have checked fuse, changed fluid and filter
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SCOTTY DEE
  • MECHANIC
  • 592 POSTS
Scan the transmission control module for codes. There were a lot of these that had valve body updates to the transmission. These guides can help us

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RYLAND51
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My truck would not shift out of 1st gear, fluid and reverse all good, speed odometer not working, looked at the plug on the side of the transmission, it was ok, looked back a foot away. Mice chewed thru one of the wires. Spliced with butt splices, everything is good now.
This truck sits parked most of the time.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like the wire is related to the signal from the vehicle speed sensor. (VSS). That will cause the transmission shifting issue and the speedo as well.

Glad to hear you got it fixed, Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYCEN ROGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 24,000 MILES
I have first and second gear but no third fourth and the turn signals fast. Code 24 speed sensor won't work put new one in transmissions brand new.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. The no third or fourth is most likely caused by the wheel speed sensor code so we need to fix that. I attached the test for this code. If the transmission is new and the sensor is new then more than likely you have a wiring issue which you should find following this test.

Let me know if you have questions as you work through it. Thanks
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYCEN ROGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Finally somebody that knows what they're talking about from One Professional to another I appreciate your help. I'll send you a picture so you know what kind of vehicle I'm working on and how much it means to me since I've built it from scratch everything.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYCEN ROGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Now the charts that you sent me, do I start with the first page and then go to the second page then the third where do I start?
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYCEN ROGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I also have a code 16 and a code 28 which is bad wiring 16.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. I attached those codes as well. Yes. You start with the flow chart and the second page is the wiring diagram for this code. Then the last page is a description. I would read the third page so you are familiar with it but it looks like you may have one issue causing all three of these so I would start with one of the speed sensor codes and fix that one. Then I bet the others will not return either. However, if they do, just move onto to it. Worse case scenario you have three separate issues but I highly doubt that.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ALPHAPA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 260,000 MILES
My trucks transmission seems to shift too late into second and third. It also has a hard shift into second. Most of the driving is in 20 to 40 mile zones. When I need to drive 20 mph the trans is in first gear. Will change into second until about 22 to 23 mph. Seem to me that if you are not accelerating it should shift up into third so that I can drive at this speed and not use up a lot of gas.
If I need to cruise at 30 mph it stays in second. Will not change into third until about 37 mph.
Why doesn't it shift into third high gear if you are not accelerating. I can under stand if you are only rolling about 10 or 12 mph. All of my other vehicles that I have ever had shift into 3rd even before 20 mph if I am not accelerating.
When accelerating hard with other vehicles they would hang in first gear past 20 mph and hang in second past 35 mph before shifting into third.
Also its not downshifting like when I want to pass a car on the highway. It will drop out of overdrive. But it doesn't go into overdrive until about 56 mph. So If I am doing 40 or 45 mph and I step on the gas it will not down shift into second for a quick get away.
When I come to a stop it will downshift into low and as I accelerate it will do the late shifting like described above and hard shift into second.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,512 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the engine has low vacuum due it a clogged catalytic converter. To be sure here is a guide so you can test it to confirm the issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Also we should run the codes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PETE MATTHEWS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Will not shift into neutral in drive all the time. Scan said output sensor.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,443 POSTS
DTC 24 - Vehicle Speed Sensor error (open circuit or no activity) Does the speedometer work? If not check the speed sensor on the back of the T-Case for bad/damaged wiring. Or a defective speed sensor.

DTC 61 - This one comes up with three possible definitions. The one GM lists as applicable to your truck is a bad BPMV (Brake Pressure Modulator Valve) (for DTCs 61/62/63 all the same solution, replace the valve.

DTC 73: Pressure Control Solenoid (PCS) Circuit Current Error (Force Motor Circuit)

Circuit Description: The pressure control solenoid is a TCM-controlled device used to regulate transmission line pressure. The TCM compares TP voltage, engine rpm and other inputs to determine the appropriate line pressure of a given load. The TCM will regulate the pressure by applying a varying amperage to the pressure control solenoid.
The applied amperage can vary from 0.1 to 1.1 amp. The TCM then monitors the amperage on the return circuit.

DTC 73 Will Set if - The return amperage varies greater than 0.16 amps from the commanded amperage.
All conditions are met for 1 second.

I would start with the speed sensor as it tells the system when and how to shift and may be causing the DTC73 because it does not shift.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PETE MATTHEWS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Speedometer does work. My scan says dtc61. Is the b solenoid stuck on? Would this cause it to be in forward gear all the time?
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,443 POSTS
Not sure how solenoid B could be stuck on, The 4L60 only has one solenoid and it locks the convertor clutch.
Un plug it and see if you can shift now.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE GIBBS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,995 MILES
Will go 15-20 miles an hour then rpm's go up.
Happened in stop and go traffic. By the time I got to stopping place it was overheating. Had to replace gasket on water pump. No water in transmission fluid or fluid in water. Gives no codes.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

There is a governor in the transmission that controls the shifting. It is a common failure for this issue.

Roy

1. Raise and support vehicle
2. If necessary, remove exhaust system.
3. Remove governor cover from case using extreme care not to damage cover. If cover is damaged, it should be replaced.
4. Remove governor.
5. Reverse procedure to install and check fluid level.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE GIBBS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Called around could not find another governor in town give me a few days but I did feel this one apart and that is the problem you can see one of the pins for the butterfly weights is sheared and the gears are half gone
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)

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