pacearrow96
Arnold,MO
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I need help in determining if my trans is broken or not. It is a '95 GM 4L80E behind a 454 7.4L. on a 33 ft. Class A MH chassis. I changed the fluid and filter about 3 weeks ago and took it out for a shakedown run and all was fine. I went to leave on a week end camping trip Friday and it wouldn't engage in any forward gears. Reverse took about 4-5 seconds to lock in. Is there any way to diagnose the issue myself? Are there any major transmission shops that will work on a unit of this size?
THANKS!
Jim E.
Jim E.
'96 Pace Arrow Vision 33L
'95 P30/32 chassis
'96 Tracker 4dr 4WD toad
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Did you check the level of the fluid after your shake down run and get under your rig to check for leaks?
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Retiredblade
Western, Pa
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Did it work before you changed the oil and filter? If so, then you may have put the filter in wrong, just a suggestion, why would it work before you changed the oil and right after it doesn't?
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mobilefleet
on the road
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I betcha the filter has come off inside the transmission......and you also may have double gasketed the filter o-ring that fits on the filter tube. When u remove the old filter the old o-ring usually stays stuck up inside and you have to remove it with a curved pick.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Jim can you tell us more info on the history/mileage of your rig.
The 4L80 is a very common GM transmission so all shops should know it well.
How much mud was in the bottom of the pan when you cleaned it out.
Going with a Jasper, etc remanufactured (not rebuilt} worked out well for us in the Blazer if it comes down to replacing. They have nationwide replacement for the first 75 or 100K miles which is a plus.
Sudden death can occur after an ATF change in a transmission that has not had changed every few years regardless of mileage.
Have you physically checked the shifting linkage to see is something is slipping externally when shifting manually?
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sc3283
St Louis
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Most likely the filter fell off....that is if you did the filter and atf change as PM and not as an attempt to repair a problem
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96 Monaco Dynasty 36'
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1fastdad
mo.
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In some cases if the trans had a lot of miles and age on it when you changed the fluid the neww fluid can wash the old varnish out of the trans and clog the filter. It is also posible that the sealing rings are worn.
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pacearrow96
Arnold,MO
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Thanks for the advice. It has right at 93000 miles. The filter was changed as a PM after the trans had a workout due to another issue (TPS wiring) while out on a trip which required manual downshifting to climb over moderate grades. The fluid was very black and had a bad smell. The trans still worked right after the TPS wires were repaired and I went on my short ride afterward. The odd part to me is after sitting 2 weeks to have no drive engagement at all. The fresh fluid idea seems logical. Would the filter coming loose still allow reverse to engage? I will check that out anyway. This thing is too big for me to R&R myself because by the time I get it high enough to have clearance it will be too high to lower and raise the trans. I need to know if there is a recommended transmission shop or chain in my area to have it towed to. None of the local GM dealers or trans shops in my area are capable of lifting it to do the work. The closest truck shop that I have found so far wants $8000 which more than the coach is valued.
THANKS AGAIN!
Jim E.
* This post was
edited 09/22/11 12:45pm by pacearrow96 *
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crankshop1000
se michigan
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The filter cant fall off and even if it could the suction pipe is down low enough in the pan to still work. I'd bet on the level being off.
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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crankshop1000 wrote:The filter cant fall off and even if it could the suction pipe is down low enough in the pan to still work. I'd bet on the level being off.
If not installed all the way so the retainer tang captures it the filter can fall down. and a filter without a good seal on the tube, the tranny will suck air causing shifting problems.
I've changed fluid/filters on many a 4LE60/80. From the symptoms, my first guess is that either low fluid, or the filter dropped down, the filter wasn't fully seated to start with, or when removing the old filter, the OLD seal was NOT removed and a new on stuck on top, keeping the filter from seating properly. Or, instead of installing a new seal, the old one was left in and reused. Believe me, it can be a real PITA to get the old seal out, it seldom comes out with the old filter, and I've usually had to use a pick to distort the old seal metal band to get it out with a tool. End result of any of the above is that the fluid drains back into the pan, you suck air for a while on startup and no engagement untill you get fluid flowing. And it can be tough to get the filter fully seated with a new seal. it takes a strong push.
when you changed the filter are you sure you got the old seal out? As I mentioned it seldom will come out by itself or with the old filter.
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