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Transmission rebuild on '03 due to towing

H

hexspeed

Full Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2003
Messages
22
Location
Powell, Ohio
GM just paid to replace the 3rd and 4th gear clutches on my '03 1500 Z71 w/trailer towing package. Was towing a 5X8 UHaul (less than 3,000 lb total weight) from NC to OH on I-77 last week. Outside temp was between 30 and 40 degrees and I was doing the speed limit with transmission in tow mode. Just south of Charleston WV, I noticed tach was at 4,000 rpm when I was doing 60 mph in "D"!! Pulled off just as the TRANS HOT warning came on -- NO warnings before this. Idled for about 5 minutes and warning went away. When I tried to continue, I only had 1st and 2nd gears. Dealer is at a loss as to why this happened but told me NOT to tow again without adding a TOC and even then recommended that I tow only in 3rd gear. Man, I love the AV -- it's my first GM "truck" -- but if this is the best it can do when towing!! I'd planned to use it to pull a small Airstream through Central America, but I'm starting to wonder if this vehicle is built to handle that kind of use. Any suggestions/comments???
 
Sounds like an isolated problem as many, many people here tow much more than that.

I have to tow a loaded 5X8 back from Kentucky in January. Aint no way I'm running all the way back in 3rd :rolleyes:

Glad it's fixed, and I think you should find from others that the Av is a fine tow vehicle. Still, a TOC may not be a bad idea anyway if you're going to tow a lot :cautious:
 
Sounds like there was already something wrong in your Trans and the towing just made it show up a bit sooner. :(

Your Av should have handled that load without any problems.

Check out the Tow/Haul section of the board. I'm sure you will see where the Av has pulled heavier loads over long distances in the summer heat with no problems.

It might also help to switch out gauge cluster to get one with a Temp gauge for the trans. (2500, Denali, Escalade)
 
Yep, sounds like an isolated incident to me.

I regularly tow a 28' travel trailer and 2 horse trailer and have had no transmission problems. I have taken both through the mountains of West Virginia on a regular basis. Very little of that being interstate driving.

I always use the tow/haul feature but do make sure that I put the transmission in 3rd whenever I am going up and down hilly or moutainous terrain.

I would conservatively say that I have towed one or the other of these trailers over 10k miles so far, with 49k on the Av now.
 
I'll just take this opportunity to repeat what has been said many times...

It is totally lame that GM included circuitry for, but did not include a tranny temp gauge in the 1500's. Boo GM! :cautious:
 
Posted by: RichUF Posted on: 12/19/03 08:55 AM
I'll just take this opportunity to repeat what has been said many times...

It is totally lame that GM included circuitry for, but did not include a tranny temp gauge in the 1500's. Boo GM!
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110% agree, and let us not forget the missing Aux. Tranny Cooler. Bad General!!!!!!!!!! :E:
Cheers...
 
av_2500 said:
yea keep it in direct drive... (3rd)
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This should not be necessary unless you are towing a heavy load that is causing the transmission to constantly switch back and forth between OD and third. With tow/haul enganged, this should only be an issue if you are near the Av's towing limit, and/or are going up and down hills.

Unfortunately, hexspeed seems to have gotten a faulty tranny. There is *no way* that transmission should have failed under the conditions he was driving in. At best, it should be replaced, at the very least, it should be completely re-built.
 
Hexspeed

I had a 1500 '02 Avy and was pulling a 8500 lb travel trailer. Pulled it throughout Fla., Bama, Ga., Tenn. with no probems other than poor gas mileage and frequent visits to 2nd gear. 4th gear and cruse control were not an option. The local dealer put on a tranny chiller before I started towing. Nice installation. Just like factory. Personally, if you pull, you need a chiller.

Since then, I traded for a 2500 '04, 8.1. Oh Yeah! Mo power! Now I get better performance and poor gas mileage all-of-the-time. I knew what I was in for, no regrets. If you're gonna pull, you need steam and plenty of it. You need the equipment to do the job.

My guess is your problem was ice-o-lated, based on your reported load. Is there a chance one of your other drivers (example: 16 year old son, no not you >:D ) have been toasting your tires?

Good luck south of the border

2-me
 
RichUF said:
I'll just take this opportunity to repeat what has been said many times...

It is totally lame that GM included circuitry for, but did not include a tranny temp gauge in the 1500's. Boo GM! :cautious:
Click to expand...
I think the trans temp gauge should be standard in all trucks, not just the 2500's only :0:

Terry
 
i have towed one of those same trailers with the '02 Z66 AV i had. i was in tow/ haul mode as well. i will admit that there times when shut the vehicle off and forgot reset the tow/ haul mode. it seems to me that the AV should make light work of that type of weight.
my tranny went out completely. no forward or reverse. only neutral in all shifter positions. i got no explanation either. at least they fixed it. for now on i will tie a string around my finger so i remember to engage tow/ haul. also to help remind me to put the tranny in 3rd gear as well. i do not want a repeat in the '04.
 
Gotta say one thing, this is probably the best "fan club" site I've ever seen for any product -- you guys provide a lot of timely practical advice and support and really keep your posts on target. Kudos to the members and moderators!

As to my tranny, I'm the only driver -- my other car is a 'Vette so the AV doesn't have to take any tire spinning abuse. The good news is that the General and Jack Maxton Chevy in Columbus OH did the fix in two days with a loaner car and no grief. I am taking the advice of the group -- have a TOC on order and am looking for the right trans temp gauge to add to my cluster. Wish the bean-counters hadn't deleted these items on the '03 but a couple hundred bucks seems cheap insurance against being stranded again. Thanks, for the reports that the AV is indeed a good tow vehicle -- you've restored my faith!

Hexspeed
 
The trans cooler is a must if you tow. I also did the the 2500 gauge cluster before adding the aux. cooler and it dropped temp 30 degrees. I towed my 5500 lb camper 1100 miles only stopping for gas and eats, trans temp never went over 190 degrees. My trans shifts very good loaded or empty. 26,000 miles now changed filter and fluid at 20,000. The pan was very clean a little crap on the magnet but way less than I expected. Matt
 
I bought my 2500 just for the tranny gauge, no really I had trouble with my previous vehicle towing my trailer. I knew if I did not want a repeat of that then I need something that could take a beating. Thus the 2500 AV, Nothing is better. You can tow almost anything with it. You 1500's I highly recommaand a TOC and Tranny gauge. $300-400 mod is well worth it.

I also standby towhaul, I use it all the time with no problems. Currently planning my 4th trip to Flordia this April. I know that AV will handle it No problems.

 
HHMMMMM........

OK, after reading a BUNCH of stuff about coolers and tranny problems, last month I decided to NOT install a cooler because I live in Michigan and didn't want the tranny to keep TOO cool during our long winters. My boat/trailer weighs about 3200 pounds, and I don't go too far with it so no problem right? But what if I want to go long distances? Now I worry again. Maybe I should install a guage first and see what temps it runs. But I don't want to risk dash rattles by switching out the instrument panel. Anyone install an aftermarket gauge, and where did you mount it??
 
Before you go and add a Trans Oil Cooler, consider that if your trans fails again, the dealer may try to say it was installed improperly and caused the failure (unless the dealer is the one installing it). Not all would try this, but it is worth asking the dealer about before adding it. I do think the Trans Temp Guage is a good idea, GM should have included it with the Tow Package.

FWIW, I just towed a car with my 02 Z71 from Dallas, TX to Richmond, VA on a UHAUL car hauler with a combined weight of about 4,400 lbs. with no problems. The AV is a great tow vehicle.
 
I had an 02 with Denali cluster which has trans temp gauge. Traded her in for an 03 and also installed Denali cluster with trans temp gauge. I noticed my trans temp would be almost 50 degrees higher than I remember with the 02. Jump on this site and do a search and soon find out I no longer have the aux TOC. Order and install one and temp back down 50 degrees. Even knowing this info many will argue Aux TOC not needed but I for one think it is, even if you do not tow.
 
04ArrivalBlueZ71 said:
But I don't want to risk dash rattles by switching out the instrument panel. Anyone install an aftermarket gauge, and where did you mount it??
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Ditto.... I'm thinking the "ounce of prevention" route. Find an aftermarket guage, mount it in an appropriate place, and learn typical operating temperature range. When the boat becomes a reality in a couple of years, watch for increased temps and evaluate then the need for a TOC. Has anyone had GM install a TOC on an '03 Z71? Thanks

When I purchased my Z71, I spoke to the dealer at length stating my intent was to haul a boat/trailer with a weight upwards to 4500lbs. Most trips (with the boat) would be reasonably short, 100 miles or so each way. A couple times a year the trip would be over 500 miles each way. Sure hope I'm not heading for major problems :eek:
 
I traded in a 99 Chev K2500 HD Diesel for my Avalanche. The Diesel had an engine oil cooler and a tranny cooler out front. When I ordered by Z66 AV I ordered the trailer package which in Canada said that it included the Transmission cooler which the salesman stated was part of the package (one of the main reasons I ordered it). Anyway after getting the AV lo and behold no tranny cooler. The 8.1 has one but not the 5.3. GM went into their stupid mode, the Tahoe, Subburban with the 5.3 and trailer package have the cooler (along with the half ton's etc.) and said it wasn't necessary.

Worked out a deal with the dealer, the option package for the trailer package in Canada was a different price between the AV and the Surburban - I paid the difference and have a tranny cooler installed. My son's 2002 AV has one also when all the dust settled.

The Canadian product brochure in 2003 showed a transmission oil cooler under the Trailering Special Equipment and still does in 2004. It also shows on the Canadian web site as included last time I looked. The option is not expensive and I can't understand what has caused this stand by GM. Make it an option and install the tranny cooler, most people at the Avalanche level arn't going to balk at $100 for a cooler from the factory for peace of mind.

Al
 
abowes said:
The Canadian product brochure in 2003 showed a transmission oil cooler under the Trailering Special Equipment and still does in 2004. It also shows on the Canadian web site as included last time I looked. The option is not expensive and I can't understand what has caused this stand by GM. Make it an option and install the tranny cooler, most people at the Avalanche level arn't going to balk at $100 for a cooler from the factory for peace of mind.
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But if you look closely, the stated transmission cooler is installed. They just didn't say what kind of cooler it is! Look on the radiator, and you can see that the transmission lines enter and exit the side of it. This is the "standard" cooler that is included, and I think it's pretty much agreed that this is not what is needed. Personally, I don't have a problem with this being the "standard" cooler, but at least give us an option for a free-air cooler which is what everyone seems to be expecting.

-- SS
 
In the Canadian brochure the Trailering Special Equipment is an extra cost option and stats it "includes a weight-distributing platform and hitch receiver, 7 pin sealed connector and transmission oil cooler" means you are paying extra for these items. The Tahoe/Surburban Trailering Special Equipment - "includes weight-distributing platform trailer hitch receiver and 7 pin connector, high-capacity air cleaner and heavy-duty transmission oil cooler" for the optional price and you get all those pieces. In the last 20 years all V8 powered North American vehicles with an automatic have a transmission cooler in the bottom of the rad (or side with a cross flow rad). For GM to start mentioning standard items as a part of optional packages is a marketing sleeze.

The situation is such that the dealers (I checked with three) all thought the auxiliary transmission cooler was out in front in the AV with the trailer package as in the Tahoe/Surburban.

Al
 
abowes said:
"includes a weight-distributing platform and hitch receiver, 7 pin sealed connector and transmission oil cooler"

% snip %

"includes weight-distributing platform trailer hitch receiver and 7 pin connector, high-capacity air cleaner and heavy-duty transmission oil cooler"
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So is that the wording games they play? "Transmission oil cooler" is the standard in-the-radiator job, and "heavy-duty transmission oil cooler" is the free-air cooler everyone expects?

Weasel-wording at it's best. :6:

For GM to start mentioning standard items as a part of optional packages is a marketing sleeze.
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I definately agree with you there. It may (or may not) be legal to do so, and to split words, but either way it is sleazy.

-- SS
 
Posted by: 04ArrivalBlueZ71 Posted on: 12/27/03 04:35 PM
OK, after reading a BUNCH of stuff about coolers and tranny problems, last month I decided to NOT install a cooler because I live in Michigan and didn't want the tranny to keep TOO cool during our long winters.
Click to expand...
Not to worry, IF you go with the factory HD Aux. TOC. It routes the fluid from the tranny to the aux. cooler first, then sends the fluid to the radiator cooler tank to 'warm up' to engine temp, and finally back to the tranny. Just think of all those Tahoes, Suburbans and Silverados there in Michigan with the factory aux. tranny cooler... they are probably not having any troubles.

Just a thought... Cheers.
 
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