Transmission Filter & Fluid change issues - check engine light

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.

ggeorgia

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Posts
34
Reaction score
17
Location
Dallas, TX
I currently have 188k miles on my 2004 Tahoe and decided it was time to drop the transmission pan and replace the filter, gasket, and seal. I've had the vehicle since it's had 100k in 2009. No transmission problems to date. It's possible that the transmission fluid was changed at 100k, but I will conservatively assume that it wasn't.

I got around to doing this job this evening and struggled to get the old filter seal out. I'm aware that I needed to be extra careful not to damage the bore. I ended up having to use the hammer and pick method as a last resort. I unfortunately nicked/scratched the just near the opening about 1/8" in length, do too deep. The new seal seemed to press in fine with no issues and appeared to fit fine. I then put the new filter, followed by the gasket and pan. Filled her up with 5 quarts of Valvoline Dexron XI Fully Synthetic.

Started the truck up and proceeded to shift through all the gears. I took it for a quick spin, hear a light intermittent ratting (which sorta went away) accompanied by some hesitation of the transmission to go from a full stop to moving into first gear. Soon afterward, the check engine light comes on. Since it wasn't flashing, I decided to take it on the highway briefly to see how it would perform in higher gears. It was able to get up to speed.

I plan to get the code checked in the morning, but I suspect this has something to do with the fact that I screwed up the filter bore which is somehow causing this hesitation/slippage along with the check engine light. Anyone have any ideas? Much appreciated!
 

01ssreda4

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Posts
1,124
Reaction score
487
Prying that seal out aka destroying it is quite common, i wouldnt worry about it. Get the code checked and go from there.
 
OP
OP
G

ggeorgia

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Posts
34
Reaction score
17
Location
Dallas, TX
Good call 01ssreda4, all fixed! The codes came out to be P0758, C0455, and C0196 -- so, something I should've mentioned is that I think in the process of removing the transmission fluid pan, I may have damaged a solenoid that was hanging on by a thread. When I initially inspected the valve body and wiring after taking off the pan, I noticed a connector and plastic piece dangling--this was part of the solenoid that broke off. I snapped the plastic piece back in place and thought nothing of it. In my previous reply, I mentioned that I was getting a check engine light after testing it.

Today I drained the fluid (again) and removed the pan and put in 2 new Delphi shifting solenoids. Filled it back up with about 4.75 quarts (didn't remove the filter this time which is why I didn't quite need 5 quarts). The hesitation/slippage issue disappeared instantly when testing it -- whew! Test drove it a bit and after 15 miles, the check engine light went off.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,699
Posts
1,872,749
Members
97,508
Latest member
nwalk7800
Top