1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Hey yall, I'm new to the forums and I've got a problem I need some help with. I've got a 1996 K1500 Silverado Z71 and it has an automatic transmission. Yesterday I was driving along and my transmission went out...I though because it was just like it had went into nuteral. So I pulled over on the side of the road and put it in park, I then put it back in drive and it went into 1st gear and then when it should have shifted to 2nd it went into like nuteral. I then put it in reverse and it worked with no problems. After that I just put it in park and called a wrecker and got him to tow it to my house.

I got in the truck this morning hopeing that the problem was caused by the abnormally cold weather yesterday and drove it a short peice up the road. And to my dissapointment it would shift through 1st and 2nd gear but would not engage third or fourth it would just act like it went into nuteral. I haven't tried manually shifting it because I didn't want to take the chance of messing up more than was already messed up.

If yall can help with this problem I would appreciate it very much.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Well to help diagnose the problem, start with whats easiest and cheap. First check the fluid level. If its good then you could drop the trans. pan and replace the filter. If that doesnt fix the problem then your looking at needing your trans rebuilt or just replacing it. The clutches in the trans may have finallywent out. Also, i have heard alot of stories about how the wiring harness will eventually burn up to the transmission. I cant say for sure that a 96 model truck has the 4L60-E auto transmission. Ive heard that a burnt wiring harness has been a problem on 1997 and newer model GM trucks. You may want to check any wiring to the trans. and see if you have any burnt wires. Good luck.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Gonna need a rebuild...probably toasted the 3-4 clutch pack and the output drum is probably worn down.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Thanks for the replies. I checked the tranny fluid earlier this evening and it was just right, and I plan on a little more under truck inspection tomorrow. I'll look around and see if I can't find some wiring problems, If that's all good then I'll have to drop the pan and change the filter and fluid like you said and give it a little test drive to see if it works. And if it don't I guess I'll start looking for somebody that can rebuildthe transmissionfor a good price...unless there are any more things I should check or tricks I should know before I find somebody to rebuild it.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Save yourself the time of a filter change. As Yankee said your 3-4 clutches are out. You need a rebuild. There are some upgrades you can do to help the strength issues.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Yeah losing 3rd and 4th isn't a wiring or fluid problem...you need a rebuild.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

yankee's right...your lookin at around 1200-1500ish for a rebuild.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Replace the filter??? Huh? Kinda like changing the oil in a blown motor don't ya think.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Well, thanks for the help guys. I guess I'll be looking around for somebody to rebuild it for me.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Where are you located?

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

East central Alabama. I got an estimate from a local guy with a small trans. shop that said he could rebuild it for $1,250 and he'd give me a 6 month warranty. I thought it was a good deal.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Got the truck back and all is well $1270 later (had some other minor things done). Now the next project will be mounting a set of lights (probably Hella 500FF) on the brush guard to help illuminate those dark back country roads.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

now wait a minuate................no 3-4 shift COULD be an electrical problem...lets think about this for a sec what does the tranny use to know when and how to shift??????? sensors...and what does it use to actually shift????? solinoids..... all electrical Items!!!!! Now Im not saying that the tranny doesnt need a rebuild but there is the possibility that it does not especially if it showed no signs of problems before this incident.....lets think this one through a little more guys

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Hey Blake, sorry it cost you $1270, but good to hear you're back on the road. Would really suck to spend and that's not the problem entirely. Warranty don't hurt, either. Transmissions ain't my bag - I'd leave it to the pros, too.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

Sure it could be electrical. But I would bet a paycheck it was the clutch packs and/or output drum. It's a 4L60e. They suck. And those are usually the things that break.

Blake said he got it fixed - he can post up what was wrong with it. A paycheck says it wasn't electrical.

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

It actually was the 3rd and 4th clutches. They just decided it was to time to go out after 221,483 miles... I think it was time for a rebuild anyways.

I know this is off topic but, have any of you guys seen the projection headlight conversions for the 1500's? I thought about getting a set of those for my truck and I saw a place on the internet that had the set for like $135 on sale what do yall think?

RE: 1996 K1500 Silverado Transmission Problems
 

...surprise...

tanny not shifting in to 2
 

ok heres what going on we have a 1996 chev K1500 silverado 4X4 we just got the tanny rebuilt and its all new on the inside and it shifts the first time but still will not shift in to 2 shift and the wire harness in the tranny is new and all the sensors new to. can you all help me out with this im about ready to pull my hair out . we put the tranny in and had to take it back out and take it back to the place were we had it rebiult at . so the we got it back and put it back in the truck and still will not shift in to 2 .

is the tranny full of fluid????? how many quarts did you put in it????? otherwise it sounds like a valve body issue.

ya the tranny is fullof fuild we put 11 quarts in it and it was showing full on the dipstick . I dont thing the man changed out the valve body on it . i will have to find that part out .

Ask them if they can install the monster package. A little more money but all the parts and clutch packs and bands are way more durable and stronger than the stock. I think its $500 for the kit. Thats what I had done to mine and glad I did. Just check out the monster transmissions website for more detailed info.

96 Chevy silverado transmission issues
 

Hello everybody I had my transmission rebuilt twice and a rebuilt torque converter put in my truck but I still have the same issue with it. When it shifts in between gears it flares up. Any suggestions?

That's a wise concept, which sensors do you think could cause this problem
 

Hey y'all, I am having similar problems with my 96. I am firm in the belief that it doesn't need a tranny, because as my husband was working his way through the wiring and speed sensor, and solenoids, ect. that for a whole day it drove and shifted fine. Then it just started acting up again. We have replaced the neutral safety switch as well. Does anyone have any other suggestions??