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Transmission Slippage On 1/2 Ton

B

Brian

Charter Member
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2002
Messages
246
Location
Seymour Indiana
I no longer own this 1/2 ton Avalanche but at 3700 miles the transmission started slippy at the shift points and was getting worst. Took the Avalanche to to service dept and they took it apart and found nothing wrong. They ended up ordering a new transmission. I think Chevrolet told to do this since when they finally got it and put it in, I was told there was a bullentin for this and was informed that Service Dept were not to tear them down. Just send them directly back to them. I never pulled any heavy loads with this one. :mad:

More detail on the slippage problem so you might understand my problem. It started slipping between shift from 2nd and 3rd. You could see the tach jump up about 300 rpm. It started it between 3rd and 4th, not as bad. While driving about 55mph in 4th, I could see the tach jumping up down about 200 rpm. This was on flat ground, no hills. Hope this helps to identify your problem.

Main questions are.
Has anyone has had the same problem?
Has anyone heard of the bullentin?
Has anyone heard the reason for the transmission fairlure?

Thank you for your help and time.
 
Brian:

I did a search on the NHTSA web site on service bulletins for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. There are currently 19 on record. At first blush that seems like a lot however many are amendments of prior bulletins as more details become available. Here is the break down:

SB623405

Info on water management system

SB623431

Regarding dealer installed options

SB623434

Updating soft tonneau cover part numbers

SB623473

Some vehicles built prior to June 13, 2001 may have a seam in the rear wheelhouse that is not completely sealed

SB623505

Fluid leaks at the rear axle differential cover

SB619791

Annoucing seminars for dealership service deparments

SB620829

Wet carpet in the front or rear footwell

SB623617

Instrument cover panel soft cover having peeling, blistering, or cracking paint on all GMC, Chevrolet, and Cadillac trucks

SB626534

Time variations on auto-PDI

SB626050

Updating roof rack installation instructions

SB626052

Some vehicles reported with rear axle oil leaks

SB623775

Updating roof rack installation instructions

SB62365

Some early production Chevrolet Avalanches left the factory missing their OnStar antenna

SB626197

Updating roof rack installation instructions

SB625134

Customers reporting tailgate difficult to close

SB623503

Wind noise being generated with roof rack and sunroof installed when sunroof is open at high speed

SB621248

Updating roof rack installation instructions

SB625109

Updating roof rack installation instructions

As you can see from the list, slipping transmission aren't currently on the menu of listed bulletins. Also as you can see not all 17 are related to problems (heck how to install the roof rack is listed at least 5 times). Also, sometimes like the wind noise bulletin and having a problem closing the tailgate there isn't a problem at all - people complaining about things that are, "as designed."

I'm not aware of any issues with the transmission and I haven't heard any complains or seen any at Town Hall. Most people will complain loud, you have to pry praise out of folks. So far my dealings with General Motors since I bought the Avalanche have shown a very strong committment to quality. I'm thrilled to hear that the General just said, "forget it - give him a new Avalanche."

That isn't the Chevrolet I knew 10 years ago that would have told you too bad. GM's come a long way, and I'm sure your Av will be trouble free.

I will close with this - before my Av I owned a '98 Pontiac Montana that gave me a ton of problems. In 3-1/2 years and 66,000 miles I had to have $5,500 in warranty work done including a new transmission. I wasn't impressed and I traded in my paid off van because it was living at the Pontiac dealer. If you read the popular press, they'll tell you the Montana/Sillouette/Venture are solid quality with no major problems reported. I guess mine wasn't built on a good day. Sometimes, even with a well built vehicle, a stinker or two can pass through the line - I'm glad GM made good, and I'll bet that this is the end of your problems.
 
I have 5100 on mine and have had some minor concerns with the tranny.
I 've noticed the "ICE" display when below freezing but on dry pavement. This has happened right after start-up and after 10 min. drive, shut-off and then pulling out of a parking lot on five-six occasions. I think it could be the early sign of slipage but have not been in to complain yet since the road conditions are so mixed here that I'm sure I'd get the same 'ol same 'ol.
The other part of the story is that I will get a "moderate" cluck after accelerating up-hill and then letting off the gas. This also happens when slowing from Hiway speeds to make a turn, braking and then going about 25mph (downshift to first). I've checked the U-joint to my abilities and it seems OK. I'm hessitant only ause of the crap I went thru with my Jeep dealer ('94 lost out to the Av!) and with a marginal (local/relative for a salesman) dealer. I have'nt owned a Chevy in years but hope things have changed. I'll at least get it on record and will keep my fingers crossed for better ???
 
All Chevrolet trucks I have own have done the clunk sound. I always thought it was the torque converter.

More detail on the slippage problem so you might understand my problem. It started slipping between shift from 2nd and 3rd. You could see the tach jump up about 300 rpm. It started it between 3rd and 4th, not as bad. While driving about 55mph in 4th, I could see the tach jumping up down about 200 rpm. This was on flat ground, no hills. Hope this helps to identify your problem.
 
Uhhh, The "ICE" on the mirror isn't a warning that your drive train is slipping. It's a warning that the temperature is below 32 degrees and that there could possibly be ice on the roadways. I goes off and displays the temp after a short period.
 
argentte- That would explain the frequency at start-up or shortly after. I have noticed it only below freezing but the mirror/display is new to me. Thanks :) Still not so warm and fuzzy about the clunk...maybe newbie Av worries.. or as Big Tom would say....paranoid and worrination (sp) have set in. I'll let you know after the dealer checks it.
 
One last thought on the "ICE" message. Why would I not get it every time if it's only a temperature thing?

I've had this beastie in below zero with no message...however brief. I like to see the temp. to just prove to the wife I can judge it well enough without a guage. ;)
 
The "ice" message on the mirror comes on at an outside temp around 37 degrees F - not sure how low the temp goes before it does not show up on start-up - perhaps there is no lower limit. I think they have it set up this way so that you are cautious when the temp starts getting to 37 degreess or lower as you can get icing conditions if the ground is cooler than the air temp. If you're from Wisconsin - you know what i mean! ;)
 
wfbarto is correct. The "ice" warning comes on at start up for one minute if the temperature is below 37 degrees with no lower limit. Also, if you're driving down the road and the temperature falls below 37 degrees the ice warning will display for one minute. It is a safety feature to warn you that the outside temperature is low enough to possibly support ice on the ground (just because the air temp is 37 doesn't mean the bridge your driving over has a colder ambient due to air inversions or a lower temp caught in the steel). The ice warning has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with traction control or transmission slippage.

This warning feature is not exclusive to an Avalanche - it was on my 86 Merkur xR4Ti, 89 Ford Probe (and saved my arse several times) and on my 98 Pontiac Montana.
 
;)Don't sweat the Tranny clunk. Mine has it also. This is my first Chevy, and after driving very tight and well fitted Toyotas, it took me a while to understand my Av. I took it to a dealer and confirmed that the play in the drivetrain was normal.
 
Thanks to all for the replies. I actually thought it would have been a good idea to link it to the tranny to give a warning when in 2Hi that you should switch over to Auto or 4Hi. Anyway, I guess I was just looking for a comfirmation about the clunk (you can used to just about anything). Now I'm just going to ask why it isn't displaying for me as posted above!

To Brian- Sorry but I haven't seen my Tach vary as you have described...I would be concerned too. I didn't mean to sidetrack your original question.
 
This I am sure would be done in either 2wd or 4wd. I was only in 2wd at the time. Never tried it in 4wd.
 
I have a 2 wd and no tranny problems!!!
 
My 97 2wd Did it, and so did my 99 4WD. I've even heard it in my Avalanche. It is usually if I'm going around a corner at a medium speed. They call it gear lash. I notice it if the truck is coasting faster than the engine is moving it and then I hit the gas. I don't notice it at constant speeds or from a dead stop. Just if I'm already moving and I let my foot off the gas and then it the accelerator pedal again.
 
I just had something "interesting" happen yesterady. Wife and I pulled out of our subdivision and the Ava didn't shift down!!! until I went "what the !@#$" and let off the gas, then after a couple of seconds hit the gas again and it shifted down. First time that has ever happend!!! Has it happend to anyone else? Thought I would just wait to see if it did it again before taking it in.

About the other Tranny problem, I too have noticed several times that when I go to slow down for a turn (to say about 5-10), then turn and hit the gas again it seems as if it's "Hunting" for the right gear. It may be normal to GM, but not to me...
 
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