Transmission problem

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Revredneck

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My wife just got home from the store and complained that her 2001 Montana was driving funny. I took it out for a ride and this is what I discovered --
2001 Montana, extended wheelbase, 3.4 V6, all the bells and whistles, 226,000 miles -- no major repairs, ever.
It starts off in 2nd gear and shifts to 3rd normally. Won't go into 4th and the Torque Converter Clutch doesn't engage.
I changed the fluid and filter about 6 weeks ago, and there was no debris in the pan. The fluid appears normal on the dipstick, level is full.
I have not yet had it checked for codes. The Check Engine lamp stays on because of an evaporative problem that I have chosen not to chase down right now.
Any ideas? Please help!
 
well if another code develops you wont know about it. Could be shift solenoid.
 
What happens if you force it into first then start out ? I also have to say with that mileage I am surprised that the tranny lasted that long ,you must change the fluid,filter regularly. Wonder if you would disconnect the battery for a while, maybe to try reset the computer ??? Also did you check your fuses ?
 
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Update -- I borrowed a scanner and pulled a code P0751. It looks like the 1-2 shift solenoid is not working. Anybody ever changed one of those on this kind of vehicle?
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nope never changed one or even saw one changed. But I believe you access it through the side(driver) of the tranny.. Good luck and keep us posted and educated.
 
SUCCESS!!
I managed to get the side cover off the transaxle (through MUCH effort) and discovered the shift solenoid is bad.
In case anyone is interested, the cradle must be dropped down on the driver's side, including separating the ball joint and removing the driver's side axle. The engine and transaxle have to be supported in order to accomplish this. I did it by running a board across the trusses above and then hooked my come-along to the lift hook on the engine to hold up the assembly while the cradle was being dropped. I also had to loosen the cradle bolts on the other side to allow it to drop far enough. Additionally, I disconnected the steering shaft at the base of the steering column to avoid any damage to the rack and pinion.
Once the cradle is lowered, I removed the air box and disconnected all the connectors on the wiring harness that runs over the top of the side cover (under the master cylinder). Then I lowered the unit using the come-along in order to gain access to all the bolts that hold the mount bracket on, and then the bolts that hold the cover on.
You really have to let her go way down, but when you get both the cradle and the engine low enough, the cover will come right off, and you can easily access the valve body and solenoids. The solenoids are retained by hairpin clips that you just pull straight out. I checked the solenoids by connecting 12 volts across the two pins while blowing through the end of the valve with my mouth. The bad one just didn't work. I also checked the resistance across the pins and the defective solenoid was obviously bad.
Now waiting on parts, and feeling a LOT better about putting it all back together. By the way, be sure to place a drip pan under the transaxle. When the cover comes off and that end of the transaxle down, it lost a lot of fluid (probably 6 quarts or more).
I hope my experience and this information will be of help for someone else.
Good Luck and God Bless
 
Wow what a job and thanks for posting this is sure to help other members ,this is what a forum is all about people helping people. Would you have any pics of this surgery? I have to admit I think I would farm this job out,in fact I bet 99 % of the tranny shops would want to replace the whole tranny . How long of a job is this ?
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Photos of the operation

Here a few photos I snapped of the way everything looks right now. It has taken about 3 hours to get to this point, so far. I expect it will take about the same to put it all back together. By the way, the shift solenoids have been removed and do not show up in the picture of the valve body.
 
Fixed!!

Well, I got all the parts rounded up and carefully put it all back together with no problems. It works great, and boy, am I relieved.
I thank God that it wasn't more complicated than it was, and that I was able to do it safely.
Good Luck and God Bless
 
Glad to hear,everyone likes a happy ending and I guess this makes you a tranny expert and thanks again for sharing your experience and God less you as well.
 
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