'97 Expy Not Shifting Out of 2nd Gear

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

rotsrul

New Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Posts
3
Reaction score
0
Location
california
Hello All,

Need some help with my '97 Expy 4.6...Since 5/11 my truck doesn't shift out of 2nd gear. I've tried to read online and found different opinions and not much out there for my specific issue. My tachometer also stopped working about 3-4 months ago and some have said it has something to do with that. Transmission seems to run fine on 1st and 2nd gear around town driving up to about 60mph but engine sounds stressed beyond that so I don't push it. Also I have to have the OD button pushed in with the OD Off to be able to drive, otherwise if I don't the truck revs out at about 40 mph. Can the tachometer have something to do with the gear not going past 2nd? If I take the Cluster out which i've done before to replace a burned bulb, what should I be looking for in order to fix? Should I just replace the Cluster altogether? Recent work: Tune up with new plugs/wires, oil change, transmission oil flush, and also replaced the Vehicle Speed Sensor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:

K5rnt

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Posts
71
Reaction score
2
Location
Durant, Oklahoma
You said you replaced the speed sensor I assume that was to try and fix the no speedometer problem?
Sounds like the shift solenoid but I don't have enough info to say that for sure.
 
OP
OP
R

rotsrul

New Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Posts
3
Reaction score
0
Location
california
'97 Expy Not Shifting Out of 2nd Gear Reply to Thread

Yes, it was to see if it would fix the tach, but didn't work....same issue.
 

K5rnt

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Posts
71
Reaction score
2
Location
Durant, Oklahoma
I suppose that if the tach stopped working the computer COULD put the transmission in limp mode. Maybe? But the speedo is working? Do you sometimes have to wiggle the shifter to get it to start? Before you replace the cluster put a scanner on it and see if you can read rpm from the obd-2 port. That would tell you if the computer is getting an accurate reading for rpm.
 
OP
OP
R

rotsrul

New Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Posts
3
Reaction score
0
Location
california
97 Expy Not Shifting Out of 2nd Gear

Yes, I plugged in the Scanner and the RPM's are registering on the scanner. I even took out the Cluster and checked behind to make sure the plugs weren't loose but everything was snug. I'm at a lost on what the problem can be.
 

omegalita

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 7, 2012
Posts
110
Reaction score
10
Location
Switzerland, SG
Do you have a scanner that reads the transmission-codes?
Do you have checked the oil?
How many miles on it?

Otherwise, clean the valve body of your transmission...
I'm not sure if it's an electrical problem...Could be a breakband (don't know the exact english name for that...)
 
Last edited:

K5rnt

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Posts
71
Reaction score
2
Location
Durant, Oklahoma
Yeah this is almost certainly an internal transmission problem. Probably a valve stuck in the valve body or a bad shift solenoid.
 

jdog771

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2016
Posts
12
Reaction score
0
Location
jackson mi
i know this is a long shot but my 01 expedition is having the same exact problems and im not convinced that the tran is toast...
it started off by shifting hard into 3rd and got worse to the point where you would have to let your foot off the gas and let the rpms come down to get it to shift into 3rd.. once i was past that point it would shift into 4th and it would kick down into passing gear without a problem just like normal but everytime i would come to a stop i had to start the process over until one day it just stopped going into 3rd all together. i can drive in 1st and 2nd no problem as long as i push the O/D button and turn the O/D off other wise it will try and shift into 3rd but just revs out like neutral.. the check engine light was on and had it read at autozone P0743 says TCC circuit condition, ecm energized the TCC solenoid and detected no voltage drop on the circuit, open or shorted solenoid or circuit condition.. so today i changed the tcc solenoid and filter as well as checked the harness that comes down the passenger side of the motor and crosses over the trans for any burnt wires or any signs of damage, put it all back together with lucas trans fix and it is still doing the same exact thing.. i was thinking about going to the local U-Pull auto parts and pulling a valve body and the shifting solenoid pack as well...... i would appreciate anybodys input on this
 

dano100

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
Location
Arden, NC
2006 King Ranch wont shift out of 2nd gear

Hi everyone: Just started having a similar problem. Truck shifts through 1st and 2nd and then doesn't shift into 3rd and revs go way up. Managed to get it parked at home...tried it a week later and same result. Not sure where to go from here. 140,00 miles very well cared for. Complete trans fluid service at a dealer at 135,000
 
Top