S-10 Transmission Problem

My 2000 S-10 ZR2 with 4.3 has some serious trans problems. Last night, about 15 degrees, I was coming home from work and the trans was slipping awful above 40 mph. It would slip at any speed if I put my foot down.

For the last couple weeks it had been "missing" under a load, but I figured it was the engine just not running right. Now I think the trans has been slipping a little bit when it's cold. All day it's fine, but it would slip in the morning. Well, last night when the truck was cold I was barely able to limp it home at 15 mph.

I checked the fluid last night and it was quite low, so I was hoping that it just needed fluid. This morning I put two quarts Dexron-Mercon in and same thing...still slipping.

Could it be there's some ice in the trans that freezes and screws things up? Any other ideas as to what's broken?

I plan on pulling the pan and changing filter and fluid. That I can do myself, but I'd like some more ideas. Guess I'll be returning the gun I bought last night. Gotta fix a transmission. Please help. Thank you!

A common scenario is for the input seal on the transfer case to harden and fluid runs from the trans to the transfer case, running the trans low and overfilling the transfer case. So you basically run low on fluid without ever leaking a drop on the ground. Pull the fill plug on the transfer case, if fluid comes pouring out, that`s where your fluid went.

As for the transmission, chances are that you fried the 2-4 band, 3-4 clutches, and/or the forward clutches. really no saving a 4L60E once they slip even with a correct fluid level. There`s no adjustments, and electrical problems are out. Even with all electrical unplugged, you`d still have reverse and a third gear start but it would pull into 2nd manually.

As for ice, I would highly doubt it. If there was enough moisture in there to freeze up, you`d have other problems anyway. When the clutch material is exposed to moisture the bonding lets go and your clutchs start to flake away in chunks, leaving them metal to metal.

Sorry to sound like the grim reaper, but it don`t look good.

If you do end up having work done on it, make darned sure you replace the input seal on the transfer case, if it ain`t leaking, it`s gonna be. I`ve seen alot of failures due to a $5.00 seal that got overlooked when someone already had the transfer case out.

Good Luck BW

Any ideas on what I'm looking at dollar-wise?

We do all the updates, shift kit, heavy sprag and reverse shell, hi energy frictions and band, new electrical. That`s one we build well above the stock specs..

I suppose it depends on going prices in your area, labor rates and stuff.

One thing I do is itemize out all the bills and keep all the parts replaced. That way a customer can see exactly what was bad and why they just spent the money they did.

I would ask around as to what shops in your area have a good reputation. Usually word of mouth makes or breaks repair shops. Ask for a total estimate from start to finish, heck even ask what their labor rate is. If they aren`t up front, or won`t give you a definate price range and written estimate find someone else to do the work. Don`t get into the "we`ll get it out and apart and call you with a price" thing if they won`t give a firm price range before hand...

Where's the fuild going?