I am not a GM guy but one of our mechanics works for another used car dealer who primarily sells GM trucks. He hates them because there is an ongoing issue with transmissions and torque converters with these vehicles. It is a pretty well known issue among mechanics. They are big and heavy (the transmissions) and there is no joy in replacing them. They only install remanufactured ones.

Before you freak out, get the car scanned for codes to confirm the issue. Glad you made it home intact.

Low fluid..?

Sometimes…in rare cases…the following fixes SOME things…worth a try..don’t cost nuthin:

unhook the battery cables from the battery , leave for a few minutes and rehook them up.

Everything is controlled electronically so it’s like restarting your computer. Good luck!

I did the same years back on a trip to an important meeting in Tulsa. I felt some poor shifting in my suburban when I hit Tulsa burb traffic. Be the time I got into Tulsa all I had was low gear and reverse. Tranny shot! Found a tranny shop a block or so from my go no more point. Made it there. Tossed them the keys and said I need to get downtown to a meeting. Call me when you get a rebuilt installed. I took a cab into town, made the meeting on time. Went to the nearby diner and drink district and dined and drank figuring I would be there a day or two. By early evening they called me to say my suburban was ready. Another cab ride out to Sand Springs and was home be late bedtime.
Time for you to take it to your trustworthy shop for diagnosis. Hopefully, just a simple thing! Brac

Thanks Gentlemen ......... all great ideas!

The first thing I did when I got to Orlando was check the fluid level ....... plenty of fluid, but very dirty, so regardless of whether it is the computer of not, I still need to get it changed with a new filter. I think I'll disconnect the battery just to see, as when I cut the car off and restarted it the could go, but still shifted funky, at least in the lower gears.

Not sure there is a good answer as how to find an "honest" and reliable shop. I hate to be skeptical and cynical, but a long time ago I determined that auto repair shops are a license to steal.

If the fluid kinda smells like rotton eggs..
That is a good sign of it being burnt..

quote:

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Originally posted by STUD figmo Al

If the fluid kinda smells like rotton eggs..
That is a good sign of it being burnt..

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Probably not burnt Al, but dark enough where it probably isn't too healthy!  I'm going to disconnect the battery this morning to see if the computer will re-set, but am planning on changing the fluid and filter anyway.

quote:

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Originally posted by rinemb

I did the same years back on a trip to an important meeting in Tulsa. I felt some poor shifting in my suburban when I hit Tulsa burb traffic. Be the time I got into Tulsa all I had was low gear and reverse. Tranny shot! Found a tranny shop a block or so from my go no more point. Made it there. Tossed them the keys and said I need to get downtown to a meeting. Call me when you get a rebuilt installed. I took a cab into town, made the meeting on time. Went to the nearby diner and drink district and dined and drank figuring I would be there a day or two. By early evening they called me to say my suburban was ready. Another cab ride out to Sand Springs and was home be late bedtime.
Time for you to take it to your trustworthy shop for diagnosis. Hopefully, just a simple thing! Brac

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Sounds like you found an honest auto repair/transmission shop.  Hope I can too.  I'll ask around to some people I trust if they know someone good and trustworthy.  I know several places not to take it.

May need new fluid...may need a new filter...may need a software update...may need...well...may need a professional diagnosis.

New fluid every 30,000 miles helps a transmission last alot longer than waiting until there are problems. Hope you get this sorted out.

With most auto trannies once they slip it's too late to change the filter and fluid.
Dark color can be caused by the bands shedding their coatings.
Filter replacement on the book's schedule isn't optional.

when i did nothing but service calls ever where we used transfix by lucas it worked at autozone used it twice at 160000 miles

this was my nephews advice and he is the best mechanic

quote:

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Originally posted by BanjoLink

Thanks Gentlemen ......... all great ideas!

The first thing I did when I got to Orlando was check the fluid level ....... plenty of fluid, but very dirty, so regardless of whether it is the computer of not, I still need to get it changed with a new filter. I think I'll disconnect the battery just to see, as when I cut the car off and restarted it the could go, but still shifted funky, at least in the lower gears.

Not sure there is a good answer as how to find an "honest" and reliable shop. I hate to be skeptical and cynical, but a long time ago I determined that auto repair shops are a license to steal.

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First, do not go to a general repair or lube shop. 

Go to a dedicated transmission shop and get it flushed; watch the process and make sure they hook up the hoses and flush the torque converter properly.  Google says the current prices for a flush are between $125-250.

If it is still slipping and shifting wrong it's likely time to rebuild/replace or,,, ahem, type F, mumble, mumble...

I graduated auto technology at SMVTI,but I got some of my best advice from a mechanic/machinist from Woonsocket,RI where he worked for 40 years at Diamond hill Machine Shop.

Bill restored a gray with red pin-stripes 1927 Ford to showroom condition and wrenched on his and buddy's AA/Fuel dragster for 3 years.

They bought Don Garlitts' last front-engined rail and beat Shirley Muldowney once.

Bill told me what I said about automatic transmissions.

Thanks guys! I'll take it to a transmission specialist shop and probably ask them to do a transmission fluid and filter change and flush to see if that corrects it. Spending $150 or so to see if that works is not that big of a deal if it turns out that it has to be rebuilt or replaced. Of course I will let them determine if it is worth the risk, or if they already know it need more complicated work.

that is a ripofff all mechanics know the scam

There are good and not so good mechanics and shops.
Ask around to find a good shop/mechanic and stay with them.
These days the equipment and procedures are very good with great information found on the internet.

I wouldn't tell a shop what to do concerning a slipping trans.I would describe the problem and ask them for a diagnosis.They would take it for a test-drive/pressure test/inspection and tell you the good or bad news.Let a good shop do their best work.

how many miles on the vehicle ? my GM has 280,000 on it ( 4L60E ) and no tranny problems yet... maybe tomorrow but not yet.
those 6L80 trannys usually don't give no trouble till 200k or 250k on them.

quote:

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Originally posted by 1935tb-11

how many miles on the vehicle ? my GM has 280,000 on it ( 4L60E ) and no tranny problems yet... maybe tomorrow but not yet.
those 6L80 trannys usually don't give no trouble till 200k or 250k on them.

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Terry .....158,000 miles

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

I wouldn't tell a shop what to do concerning a slipping trans.I would describe the problem and ask them for a diagnosis.They would take it for a test-drive/pressure test/inspection and tell you the good or bad news.Let a good shop do their best work.

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Yup.  Chat 'em up.

Ask around and get other folks' experiences and opinions with the local shops and mechanics.
Not all shops do everything well.

A captain is only as good as his crew.Find out by talking to people.

unless you have been doggin it ,, it might just need filter and fluid change. let a tranny shop do it... they will know if they drop the pan to change fluid if it has clutches worn out or failing converter... possible solenoid glitches too.

If you have to replace it, make sure to save the turbine ring to use as a tone ring.

If you feel that you can't trust the shop/technician to correctly diagnose and fix your vehicle look around for a better place.
Shop time is quite expensive.