shift prob....lost.....?

[rckclmr]

i have a 99 ta with an auto tranny and all of a sudden it won't shift out of second gear. this is the first auto i've had so i don't know much about them. i did some research and decided the shift solenoid was the most probable cause, but after changing it out, i'm still having this problem. right before it goes to shift, it feels like it goes into neutral, my rpm's will raise if i stay on the gas and once i let off it catches back in second again. any suggestions on what the hell's going on and how to fix it?

[Firebirdjones]

Does it still have reverse? A common problem in the 4l60e's are the sun shells breaking which causes the loss of either 2nd or 3rd(can't recall) but also loses reverse. Larry.

[rckclmr]

yeah i still have reverse i can put it in drive and it'll do the same thing or i can run it up through the gears but only from first to second if i put it in 3rd its just like putting it in neutral. thanks for the tip....i'll check that out.....any other suggestions are more than welcomed

[performabuilt]

Sounds likley you have a cooked 3-4 clutch set , Sorry but looks like its tranny time

[rckclmr]

what exactly is a sun shell? i've never heard of it. and if it is the clutch set can i just replace that set or will i have to rebuild my whole tranny?

[Firebirdjones]

Sun shells are a common problem in these, I have seen them break on grandmas suburban with only 40,000 miles, and sometimes they last over 100,000 miles. It has nothing to do with hard driving, they are just weak. Remove the front pump, remove the first drum, look at the shaft and there is a snap ring, remove that and the sun shell comes right out, if it's broken you will see it right away, pull it out, replace it and put the trans back together.
Many places make hardened sun shells, some of the cheaper ones, the metal is simply rolled different to give it better strength.
When this is broken you also lose reverse. So this is likely not your problem.
Did you have torque converter clutch lockup? It is necessary for the converter to lock, so fluid can be supplied to the rear planitarys. Without converter lockup the rear planitarys will cook very quickly.
So very hard to diagnose over the computer. But performabuilt is probably right, it may need to be taken to a trans specialist to be diagnosed. It's possible it's something simple but like performabuilt said, prepare for the worst, probably time to be freshened up. Larry.

[performabuilt]

Yes you will have to tear the trans down , it is however most likley the 3-4 clutch , How much more you would have to do would be determined once your in there , Theres no way to guess until you actually look ,

[rckclmr]

alright thanks for the help guys, i really appreciate it

[juiced99ws6]

after you get a price on a stock rebuild you may wanna look at performabuilt.com and check compare prices, why go stock when you can go better for AROUND the same price. MY experience so far on pricing stock rebuilds is only a couple hundred dollars cheaper then ordering a built tranny to install yourself and then you always have the option of selling your core transmission to make up the cost difference. Anyways just something to think about

[performabuilt]

Yes we do not require cores or charge shipping of course you should also check out the vendors on this forum too