[Outtathecornfield]

I have a '98 1500. Was running well until I had a water pump go bad. It sat for a month until I had the time and help to do the pump (my dad came down and was visiting and helped me out with it).

First day out, everything seemed fine. Was driving back home when I started having problems. It would not shift out of 2nd. My dad and I did some research and read up about the governor solenoid. Seemed like all the same symptoms so we swapped that out.

Still having the same problems. Everything seem fine when I first start driving, but as soon as the transmission warms up, it goes all screwy. One thing I noticed is that if I get the speed to around 50 and RPM around 3k, I can shift to neutral, and then give a little gas as I put it back into drive, and after a couple seconds, it kicks into the higher gear.

Just wondering if anyone else has any ideas. In November, I'm moving back home but plan on having the truck shipped back as I don't really want to risk driving 800 miles. Right now, thinking the band but we are also considering pulling the transmission out and rebuilding it (my dad was a car mechanic for about 15 years and I am an aircraft mechanic, so we have the mechanical ability).

I really like this truck, but it's been giving me problems lately (I had some other issues with it a while back that I squared away) and I still need to do the plenum. My wife is half-serious about wanting me to just get rid of this thing and get a different truck, but I really want to get this thing up to great condition and keep it. I don't like newer trucks and I really do love this thing. Hopefully, we can figure this whole thing out because I want to get it back to purring.

If we do rebuild, what's the chances she'll run like new again in terms of the transmission? Sorry for the side rant and thanks!

tl;dr: Transmission doesn't want to shift into third, but will shift up if doing D-N-D, already changed the governor solenoid, thinking of rebuilding. Any other ideas?

 

[ramvan2500]

I have a '98 1500. Was running well until I had a water pump go bad. It sat for a month until I had the time and help to do the pump (my dad came down and was visiting and helped me out with it).

First day out, everything seemed fine. Was driving back home when I started having problems. It would not shift out of 2nd. My dad and I did some research and read up about the governor solenoid. Seemed like all the same symptoms so we swapped that out.

Still having the same problems. Everything seem fine when I first start driving, but as soon as the transmission warms up, it goes all screwy. One thing I noticed is that if I get the speed to around 50 and RPM around 3k, I can shift to neutral, and then give a little gas as I put it back into drive, and after a couple seconds, it kicks into the higher gear.

Just wondering if anyone else has any ideas. In November, I'm moving back home but plan on having the truck shipped back as I don't really want to risk driving 800 miles. Right now, thinking the band but we are also considering pulling the transmission out and rebuilding it (my dad was a car mechanic for about 15 years and I am an aircraft mechanic, so we have the mechanical ability).

I really like this truck, but it's been giving me problems lately (I had some other issues with it a while back that I squared away) and I still need to do the plenum. My wife is half-serious about wanting me to just get rid of this thing and get a different truck, but I really want to get this thing up to great condition and keep it. I don't like newer trucks and I really do love this thing. Hopefully, we can figure this whole thing out because I want to get it back to purring.

If we do rebuild, what's the chances she'll run like new again in terms of the transmission? Sorry for the side rant and thanks!

tl;dr: Transmission doesn't want to shift into third, but will shift up if doing D-N-D, already changed the governor solenoid, thinking of rebuilding. Any other ideas?

Just rebuild it. You guys have the ability and all tools, so just save yourself the headache and rebuild it. Get the parts from makcotransmissionparts.com and PM me your email address and I will send you the factory service manual. Honestly no one needs one to rebuild these as they are easy, but it is helpful for torque specs. Honestly, from my experience you really just need to replace bushings, seals, rear planet gear, and rebuild the valve body. 99% of the time that will make the transmission new again. Clutches will be fine unless you have a catastrophic failure. I took out clutch packs that were 18 years old, about that, and they still had the ink (model number) stamped on the action friction surface! Like I said, they never wear out unless something really bad happened.

 

[Gen1dak]

Solenoids are useless without adequate fluid flow and pressure. Have you performed basic maintenance (fluid/filter/band adjustment)?

 

[Outtathecornfield]

So, now the damn thing won't shift up for anything. In addition, it gave me a code the last time I drove it (which is when it stopped shifting) which seems to point to the solenoid, again. At least that's what the research is saying. So, now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get it back to Indiana. My dad is wanting to come down here and tow it back, but I'm trying to avoid that at all costs. I'm more worried about his truck ('94 Chevy) as well as him taking the risk.

Anyway, I guess at this point, a rebuild is what this thing needs, but if anyone has any ideas as to what can be done to get the truck up there safely, whether it's swapping out another solenoid or what. I've looked into auto transport, but that's a high cost. Stupid truck. Hopefully a rebuilt tranny will fix all the issues and I can go back to loving her. Oh, yeah, almost forgot: discovered that the rear band on the gas tank broke through. Sigh. Good thing I have cargo straps. haha When it rains....

 

[ramvan2500]

So, now the damn thing won't shift up for anything. In addition, it gave me a code the last time I drove it (which is when it stopped shifting) which seems to point to the solenoid, again. At least that's what the research is saying. So, now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get it back to Indiana. My dad is wanting to come down here and tow it back, but I'm trying to avoid that at all costs. I'm more worried about his truck ('94 Chevy) as well as him taking the risk.

Anyway, I guess at this point, a rebuild is what this thing needs, but if anyone has any ideas as to what can be done to get the truck up there safely, whether it's swapping out another solenoid or what. I've looked into auto transport, but that's a high cost. Stupid truck. Hopefully a rebuilt tranny will fix all the issues and I can go back to loving her. Oh, yeah, almost forgot: discovered that the rear band on the gas tank broke through. Sigh. Good thing I have cargo straps. haha When it rains....

I feel like what I have to say just falls on deaf ears. Rebuild the damn thing, you are past solenoids. How old is this truck? A rebuild takes an experienced person no more than 2 days to complete, and that is from removal to test drive! Go to dealer and get new gas tank hardware, probably cost you about 120 bucks for new hardware and filler neck grommet, but if you do this you will probably never have to deal with it again in your lifetime.

 

[Outtathecornfield]

I feel like what I have to say just falls on deaf ears. Rebuild the damn thing, you are past solenoids. How old is this truck? A rebuild takes an experienced person no more than 2 days to complete, and that is from removal to test drive! Go to dealer and get new gas tank hardware, probably cost you about 120 bucks for new hardware and filler neck grommet, but if you do this you will probably never have to deal with it again in your lifetime.

My apologies. Guess I wasn't clear. I am going to rebuild it. That's been the plan from the start. The issue is I don't have the stuff needed where I am right now to do it, nor the time. The issue isn't the rebuild. I've got no problem with that. It's how to get it 800 miles which is what I was actually asking for advice on.

My last post was more or less me blowing off a little steam as well as seeing if anyone had any advice for getting it back up there besides towing it with another pickup. That's all it was. It wasn't ignoring you, man. I fully plan on rebuilding it and even when it crapped out in the first place, rebuild was always on the agenda. The solenoid fix, in the first place, was meant to be a temp thing to get it back up north.

 

[ramvan2500]

My apologies. Guess I wasn't clear. I am going to rebuild it. That's been the plan from the start. The issue is I don't have the stuff needed where I am right now to do it, nor the time. The issue isn't the rebuild. I've got no problem with that. It's how to get it 800 miles which is what I was actually asking for advice on.

My last post was more or less me blowing off a little steam as well as seeing if anyone had any advice for getting it back up there besides towing it with another pickup. That's all it was. It wasn't ignoring you, man. I fully plan on rebuilding it and even when it crapped out in the first place, rebuild was always on the agenda. The solenoid fix, in the first place, was meant to be a temp thing to get it back up north.

To rebuild it doesn't require anything special. You could rebuild what is in the bell housing with lock ring pliers, snap ring pliers, standard socket wrench set, torque wrench, transmission jack and some ramps. You can make the ramps out of those 15 foot long 12" wide planks from home depot. To support the engine just use 10,000 lb nylon tie ratchet strap. If you want, put the truck in a storage facility and remove the transmission, transport transmission 800 miles and do rebuild and then later bring it back with tools... Honestly. I rebuilt an entire car with basic home tools, you just have to be smart with those tools.

 

[Outtathecornfield]

Don't know if you'll see this, but I tried to PM you but I don't have high enough of a post count. I was wondering if there was another way to get you my address. Thanks.

 

[ramvan2500]

Don't know if you'll see this, but I tried to PM you but I don't have high enough of a post count. I was wondering if there was another way to get you my address. Thanks.

I pm'd you my email. You will have to refresh my memory on everything.

 

[sjsweek]

Hey ramvan can I get a copy of that manual? I have a 1998 I about to strip and start a fresh frame up build on.

 

[ramvan2500]

Hey ramvan can I get a copy of that manual? I have a 1998 I about to strip and start a fresh frame up build on.

Most certainly. I will PM you my email and just shoot me an email and I will have that manual out to you.