2001 Tahoe transmission issue

2001 LS, 5.3, 4 x 4, 187,000 miles - no previous transmission issues as far as slipping or problems getting into gear. Driving home and lost all forward and reverse gears all at one time with no warning. The vehicle will go into 4-low/4-high. Is this definitely a transmission issue? Has anyone had a similar problem? It's not low on transmission oil, and there was no burning smell. Thanks for your help.

Hopefully @NickTransmissions can help.

dougefrsh said:

2001 LS, 5.3, 4 x 4, 187,000 miles - no previous transmission issues as far as slipping or problems getting into gear. Driving home and lost all forward and reverse gears all at one time with no warning. The vehicle will go into 4-low/4-high. Is this definitely a transmission issue? Has anyone had a similar problem? It's not low on transmission oil, and there was no burning smell. Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

Does it move when in 2H?

NickTransmissions said:

Does it move when in 2H?

Click to expand...

I did when I first broke down

dougefrsh said:

I did when I first broke down

Click to expand...

Sorry no not in 2h

I don't have much to add in terms of diagnosis...just a story, this happened to me on my 2002 Silverado back in 2007 or 2008. The 4L60E just grenaded itself on the highway at 70mph, with around 90k miles on the clock. Lost all gears except 1 on the column shift. Limped off the highway and had it towed to a shop. It wouldn't even hold itself in PARK. Had to use the e-brake to keep it from rolling away. I remember them saying the pan was full of metal, the fluid looked fine tho. The truck never had transmission issues until then. Had the trans rebuilt and it lasted until I sold the truck around 110k miles.

I'd say your best bet is to get it over to a transmission shop and bite the bullet and put a new trans or have them rebuild it.

The 4L60E was never known for its robust built, but luckily they are fairly easy to rebuild and the cost shouldn't be too bad compared to the newer more complicated 6, 8 10 speeds...

Good luck.

dougefrsh said:

Sorry no not in 2h

Click to expand...

Sudden onset of a "No movement condition" when fluid level has been correct and fluid condition is normal is typically pump failure. Check the dipstick to see if the fluid level is now way over full and doesnt drop back down when you start the vehicle - if so, that's pump failure. You can also do a pressure test to see if the pump is making pressure/working...If it is, either input shaft, converter or total gear train destruction.

Just had a mechanic fix a leaking rear main seal 2 weeks ago. Could his pulling of the transmission have any impact on this?

Yes, but likely not his fault. If I was doing that RMS, I would not even move the torque converter, except to unbolt, and slide the assembly back out of way and then recouple when RMS is done. Especially after 2 weeks goes by. The mileage is in the area of when they give problems. I am at 167k miles and I know the "end is nigh".

Are you saying it goes ok in 4 wheel drive mode? Not moving in 2 wheel drive?