transmission shifts hard

1,540

Asked by KGarber1 Jun 17, 2015 at 05:17 PM about the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD Extended Cab LB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

5.3 L engine (from 2002 Silverado) with a 4l80e transmission shifting hard from 1st to 2nd
gear. All other gears shift normal

26 Answers

1,540

Did the parts store thing and no codes. Filter and fluid changed 2+ years ago. It looks clean on the dipstick. Read somewhere it might be the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) so I'm going to try to check that out tomorrow. Ever hear of that?

26 people found this helpful.
1,540

I plan on cleaning the throttle body before changing the TPS. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks

11 people found this helpful.
1,540

Cleaning TPS/body didn't work. Still not getting any codes except Mass Air Flow sensor voltage high. Could that be it?

15 people found this helpful.
1,540

Thanks shoes. I tried cleaning the sensor and didn't help. I'll try resetting PCM and see what happens

9 people found this helpful.
1,540

Found problem. Broken wire from PCM to transmission shifter (connector on top of shifter) ground wire broken and power wire barely hanging on. Ops check good.

64 people found this helpful.
1,540

Soo much for "experts" at AAMCO and McCarthy's transmissions in Newport News Virginia. Told me it needed rebuild and or replacement. CROOKS!

25 people found this helpful.
1,540

Mass Air Flow sensor is "disconnected" by my son-in-law. He has some kind of "electronic tuner program" (hooks to his laptop). He has that and 2 O2 sensors disconnected (no catalytic converter installed). I have him sending me the program and cable now so I can figure out hopw to tune up the truck. New fangled gadgets drive me crazy.....lol. Thanks for your help

4 people found this helpful.
580

I have a 2000 that shifts hard 1-2 only sometimes idk what it is

43 people found this helpful.
290

Ok thanks. Doing work on my 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. If i floor it, it takes forever to shift gears. Rpm jumps up to 6 and sticks for about a minute unless i come off the accelerator. I know my throttle body could use a good cleaning but i also get a small evap leak code. Having a hard time locating that. When i get up to 80mph or if i floor it i get this strong odor through the ventilation system that smells like a mix of oil and gas. When i bought the truck and changed spark plugs i noticed an oil like moisture on the back end of about two plugs that had that same smell. I was told that it could be some valve and ring could need replacing along with check to see if catalic converter is clogged. Just started doing work on my own vehicle so idk any of the mechanic jargan as you can tell...lol.

9 people found this helpful.
100

i have replaced the solenoids, that did not work for me, do not waste your time and money. as i can see now is a factory defect for the transmission. i own a GMC 1500 sle 2wd 2007, nice truck but i am disapointed with that transmission. (4l60 or something like this)

10 people found this helpful.
50

mine is a 2008 so It might be the same problem.... second gear is very sluggish all the rime and sometimes the 1rst gear as well

5 people found this helpful.
180

I have aGMC sierra 1500 2006 with 367k I have a hard shift 2nd gear only can someone help that tell me my trans is going out .is it true?

18 people found this helpful.
60

I checked out my tranny having same problem found out I was lacking dexron vi

6 people found this helpful.
80

I have a 03 gmc Sierra 5.3 liter when the tranny gets warm it shifts from 1st to 2nd super hard wether I'm in the accelerator or not I have a flat bed with all leds installed I was told it could be because of not have an led light resistor in it could be causing it I know Ford's have that issue with the led lights any suggestions?

8 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2002 chevy tahoe automatic transmission gave out , put a new one in still having the same problem not going into 3rd gear and so forth.

4 people found this helpful.
80

I have the same problem. I just bought a used Yukon Denali it’s a 2008 and trani is shifting rough on second and third only. I got a good deal on the suv so I decided I would fix it. Did some research and came across a tsb that might help many solve their problem. “A few TSBs, #PIP4304A and #PIP4184B, and 09-07-30-004A, appear to be on point. I’m not that familiar with how automatic transmissions work, but the TSBs appear to involve disassembly of the transmission and the possible replacement of valves, control modules, etc., which sounds fairly involved. I have not noticed a delay in the engagement of forward gears after putting it in drive, which I think is mentioned in one or more of the TSBs.” Let me know if this helps. I just scheduled an appointment at a GMC Dealership I hope they fix the issue under that tab because it seems right on point. I’ll let y’all know what happens.

8 people found this helpful.
70

I have a 2007 gmc Sierra 2wd reverse wont work and it shifts hard into 2nd gear but shifts out fine my dad drove this truck for 7 months and transmission never quit and still drives the same the people he bought it from had a just put that transmission in it and when the reverse wouldnt work they decided to sell it any ideas ??

7 people found this helpful.
40

My answer is please do not buy a Chevrolet Silverado and less you want to ride around and hear and feel clunking all day long

4 people found this helpful.
20

Hey I drive a 2001 GMC Yukon XL SLT 1500 my truck have over 200,000 miles on it I'm having problems with it it catch you here then act like it don't want to stay in gear what can be the problem that is a good running vehicle

2 people found this helpful.
50

I have a 2014 Silverado and it has a stutter and whining sound. I do not have any codes reading and it started while driving down the road one day. I have a scanner and it appears to be that the motor is running like normal. I am afraid it could be something with the tranny or transfer case. If I leave truck in park or neutral and rev to 1500-2000 rpm and hold it runs fine. If I drive and rpms are at that range I have problems. Anyone know where to start? It only has 104,xxx miles and I have had it for 3 yrs and done nothing to the tranny.

2 people found this helpful.
20

GuruGPP15 have you found the solution? I have a 2013 Silverado with 109,xxx having the exact same issue. Thank you.

1 people found this helpful.
50

Salvador: It was my transmission going out on the truck. The tranny pump went out and had metal shavings in it badly and caused the torque converter to go out. I got a new tranny and converter and it runs fine.

3 people found this helpful.
20

GuruGPP15: Thank you, I just started to notice the noise hopefully the tranny has more miles to give. Currently looking into monster build transmissions.

1 people found this helpful.
50

Just had my 2002 Silverado trans rebuilt. When the truck is warmed up I get a hard shift between 1-2nd. I have 312,000 and this is rebuild number 2 in 6 years.

5 people found this helpful.

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