Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Well, looks like the 4L60E in my 2004 Suburban is on its way out. We discovered this coming back from a weekend camping trip to Steamboat Lake in Colorado (GORGEOUS area, BTW 
)
Stopped in Steamboat Springs for lunch, then headed out on US 40. Climbed the long, grueling climb out of Steamboat up the West side of Rabbit Ears Pass, where the road goes up about 3,000' in 8 or 10 miles, and it was fine. Normally I would manually shift it to 2nd to climb a hill like this but I didn't this time - the trans dropped down to 2nd and stayed there so I just stayed on the throttle and kept me speed steady at 55 - 60. This was with the truck fully loaded (2 adults and a dog), 2 kayaks on the roof and pulling a loaded-down ~2000lb travel trailer. I watched the trans temp and it never got about about 205. Made it to the top of the pass with no drama and continued on to Kremmling, another 45 miles or so.
Then in Kremmling I looked down and noticed the temp had spiked to around 225 - I have never seen the temp that high, even pulling the trailer up an 11,000' pass. At the same time I stopped for a stop light and when I tried to go again, the trans would go into 1st and 2nd OK but when it hit 3rd the engine would rev up to about 3500 rpm with no change in vehicle speed - basically like a slipping clutch. Slowed down enough for the trans to drop into 2nd and it worked OK but as soon as it shifted up into 3rd it would slip again. I checked the fluid - level was a bit low but it didn't smell burnt. Added a bit, but the issue persisted. At this point we still had 110 miles to go and I was under the impression (mistakenly, as it turned out) that my Roadside Assistance through USAA would only cover the Suburban, not the trailer.
I noticed that if I kept the trans in 2nd it seemed to do OK so with a lot of trepidation, I shifted into 2nd and headed down CO 9 towards Silverthorne. After a slow (max speed 45 mph) and harrowing drive (I expected the trans to start slipping in 2nd which would mean we were effectively stuck) we made it home.
Got the trailer unhooked and the truck unloaded but it's still doing the same thing - slipping in 3rd gear.
So, I'm looking for a good, reputable trans shop in the Denver metro area - preferably Southwest (Englewood/Littleton.) We've got a big trip coming up in just 2 weeks and it will be the wife and I and my 79 year old mother, pulling the trailer and driving to Yellowstone National Park (Mom's never been there and we promised to take her.) So I need a good, quality shop, as I don't want to risk any more problems.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
) Stopped in Steamboat Springs for lunch, then headed out on US 40. Climbed the long, grueling climb out of Steamboat up the West side of Rabbit Ears Pass, where the road goes up about 3,000' in 8 or 10 miles, and it was fine. Normally I would manually shift it to 2nd to climb a hill like this but I didn't this time - the trans dropped down to 2nd and stayed there so I just stayed on the throttle and kept me speed steady at 55 - 60. This was with the truck fully loaded (2 adults and a dog), 2 kayaks on the roof and pulling a loaded-down ~2000lb travel trailer. I watched the trans temp and it never got about about 205. Made it to the top of the pass with no drama and continued on to Kremmling, another 45 miles or so.
Then in Kremmling I looked down and noticed the temp had spiked to around 225 - I have never seen the temp that high, even pulling the trailer up an 11,000' pass. At the same time I stopped for a stop light and when I tried to go again, the trans would go into 1st and 2nd OK but when it hit 3rd the engine would rev up to about 3500 rpm with no change in vehicle speed - basically like a slipping clutch. Slowed down enough for the trans to drop into 2nd and it worked OK but as soon as it shifted up into 3rd it would slip again. I checked the fluid - level was a bit low but it didn't smell burnt. Added a bit, but the issue persisted. At this point we still had 110 miles to go and I was under the impression (mistakenly, as it turned out) that my Roadside Assistance through USAA would only cover the Suburban, not the trailer.
I noticed that if I kept the trans in 2nd it seemed to do OK so with a lot of trepidation, I shifted into 2nd and headed down CO 9 towards Silverthorne. After a slow (max speed 45 mph) and harrowing drive (I expected the trans to start slipping in 2nd which would mean we were effectively stuck) we made it home.
Got the trailer unhooked and the truck unloaded but it's still doing the same thing - slipping in 3rd gear.
So, I'm looking for a good, reputable trans shop in the Denver metro area - preferably Southwest (Englewood/Littleton.) We've got a big trip coming up in just 2 weeks and it will be the wife and I and my 79 year old mother, pulling the trailer and driving to Yellowstone National Park (Mom's never been there and we promised to take her.) So I need a good, quality shop, as I don't want to risk any more problems.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
