My truck has developed a peculiar transmission problem (it's an automatic) . Upon start up, the truck operates normally, except that it will not shift out of first. Reverse is normal. Shifting into 1, 2, or 3 does not change anything. The ABS light is on and the speedometer is dead. Tach seems fine. At an apparently random time, the transmission begins to operate properly, the ABS light goes out, and the speedo works again. I tried refilling the transmission fluid, but no difference. The transmission seems to be making a sort of whirring/grinding noise whenever the truck is running. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.


Checklist:

1. Does the engine crank, or 'turn over'? yes
1a. Does the engine start and run? yes
1a1. If the engine does not start - Crack injector line: do you have fuel? yes
1b. Do you have a Wait To Start Light & the amount of time (seconds) lit. 1-3-second blinks for 10-15 sec
1c. Ambient Condition (temperature outside indicate F or C) 75-80 °F
1d. Engine Cranking speed (if you have an accurate tachometer). unknown, but seems normal
1e. Are you experiencing stalling? no
1f. If Stalling, describe (upon startup only, down the road, hit a bump etc) n/a
1g. If Stalling, do you notice loss of dash or instruments? n/a
-note if experiencing stalling,you must indicate PMD location in #24.

1h. Check turbo inlet and air filter for obstructions. Cone filters have lost disk and stopped air to turbo.
1i. In a no-hot start, pour a bottle of room-temp water on the injection pump. Does it start now? n/a
1.1 Lift pump test - describe results: with ignition on, not cranking--fuel comes out open bleeder cap
2. Service Engine Light while running? on all the time
2a. Service Engine light does glow during start/cranking/bulb check: yes
3. Model year 1999
3a. Odometer reading (indicate if in miles or km) 78884 mi
3b. Miles on major engine components if been replaced (example Injection pump) about 200 mi on the FSD, alternator, and fuel filter
3c. Indicate the model number on the Injection pump: DS4

4. Have you scanned for engine codes? (varies by pre/post 96) no
5. List exact results on engine codes:
6. Air Filter condition (visual check) off-white
7. Fuel filter condition (freshly changed/condition unknown/mileage since changed) changed about 200 mi ago
8. Condition of Battery terminal connections: removed, cleaned and tightened
8a. Known condition and age of the batteries: 4-5 yrs, truck still cranks okay
8b. Are batteries of differing age or are they a matched set? matched
8c. Condition of Major Grounds. removed, cleaned, retightened

9. Upon cold start, does the radiator hose get hard quickly? Yes/no
10. Upon cold start, do you have excessive white smoke? no
11. Do you have excessive cranking time before the engine starts? no
12. Have you used the block heater, and does this effect engine starting? have not used block heater (no need)
13. During hard acceleration, do you have excessive black smoke? no
14. Do you have any unusual exhaust smoke issues? no
15. Turbo check out - pass/fail
16. Do you have an EGR on the engine? (An F or an S engine code 8th VIN digit) F
17. Indicate if you know if it’s a 1500, 2500, 2500HD, 3500, 3500HD. K2500
18. Indicate fuel that you are using: #2 Diesel, occasional bio
18a. If running a VO (Veggie Oil fuel) setup, indicate details of your conversion (homemade, or packaged system) n/a
19. Are you using any fuel additives? If so, please list. none

20. Please indicate geographic region you are in: (example: Texas or Canada) East Tennessee
21. Do you have any service history available that might pertain to the problem you are having? truck was former oil field truck
22. Please indicate any modifications to the vehicle that might help us diagnose better. bumper-mounted FSD
23. Upon unscrewing the fuel cap, do you have a large vacuum formed in the tank? no
24. Location of PMD/FSD? On the pump/remoted over intake/remoted out of engine bay (please specify placement specifically) inside front bumper
24a. If remote mounted, describe wiring harness (homemade or purchased from a vendor?) purchased from vendor
24b. Indicate the location and condition of the FSD/IP grounding wire.
25. Are ALL glow plugs in proper working order as per this thread? not checked

Thanks,
Jack

Trans needs to know your speed to make the shifts.
Fix that and it should be good to go.

Scan it for codes then follow the flow chart for your speed sensor codes that you should have.

Got it scanned at NAPA, came up showing P0722: Output Speed Sensor No Signal. I replaced the sensor on the transfer case, but nothing changed. Does anyone have an idea what's going on, or is it time to take it to the shop?

The noise is associated with either a worn pump, a clogged filter, or a filter that has fallen off of the pickup tube.

I agree that you should get it scanned for codes, but I have had the same sound pn a few different transmissions before

Got it scanned at NAPA, came up showing P0722: Output Speed Sensor No Signal. I replaced the sensor on the transfer case, but nothing changed. Does anyone have an idea what's going on, or is it time to take it to the shop?

Replace the output speed sensor on the side of the trans.
Very common problem.

I've read in several places that 4x4's don't use the sensor on the side of the trans, only the one on the transfer case. Is this info in error?

Chevy, is there a specific pump that you have in mind, or could it be one of several? Would replacing it, or cleaning/reattaching the filter as applicable, be a very involved operation? Currently the only place I have available to work on it would be the middle of my driveway, so I think I could only have the truck apart for 1-2 days max.

The front pump on the transmission will cause whining and very slow gear engagement. The transmission would have to come out of the truck and the pump taken off the input shaft to inspect (something that i don't know how to do).

The transmission filter cannot be cleaned, and it is not very hard to do. I did mine on a gravel driveway myself. It took me about an hour really taking my time. You have to go buy a new transmission filter, and gasket (which it should come with) and you will also need Automatic transmission Fluid...

Check the wires and the terminal connectors for the TOSS. Make sure there are no breaks in the wires. If you replaced the trans output speed sensor (toss)and still doesn't work you might have to replace the (tiss) trans input speed sensor.

I've read in several places that 4x4's don't use the sensor on the side of the trans, only the one on the transfer case. Is this info in error?

Chevy, is there a specific pump that you have in mind, or could it be one of several? Would replacing it, or cleaning/reattaching the filter as applicable, be a very involved operation? Currently the only place I have available to work on it would be the middle of my driveway, so I think I could only have the truck apart for 1-2 days max.


On my 93 when the ouput sensor doesn't work it stays in 1st gear.

I've read in several places that 4x4's (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327937#) don't use the sensor on the side of the trans, only the one on the transfer case. Is this info in error?


Jack, I believe you are correct about the toss is located on the transfer case.;)

The front speed sensor is used on both 2 wheel and 4 x4 trans. The input sensor and the output sensor will send a signial to the speed buffer. The ecm will take the info form the speed bufferr and will ground the correct shift selenoid. Replace your input speed sensor. Back to your issue. Buy only GM speed sensors should be around $18.00. We have many strange issues with Napa products.