700R4 Stuck in first - need it fixed fast - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

83burban · 11-24-2008, 03:32 PM

I just bought an 83 suburban yesterday and drive it 3 hours home. Made the drive fine, but when I went to drive it later that night the trans refused to shift out of first gear. It drove 6 bocks before doing this.

TO get it home I parked on the side of the road and waited a few minutes, started it up and drove it a block at a time before the trans would start to slip and not accelerate anymore. Same thing this morning.

Is the trans shot and in need of a rebuild? Could this be a problem with a stuck shift soleniod or something. I have never worked on the R4 and am new to this particular suburban - been working on my 63 for a while.

Thanks for the help

**CPNE** · 11-24-2008, 03:48 PM

I had same problem on an 88. Mine was the Governor gear was cracked and broken. Cheap fix.

The governor is on the drivers side of the car and is under the round cover that is about 3" across. You will need to pry the cover off the trans, as it is probably siliconed onto the trans. A well placed screwdriver and a hammer to hit it with may be needed. The governor must be pulled out of the case to inspect the gear, which is on the end of the governor shaft (turns against the output shaft). If the teeth are worn off (apple cored) take it to a trans shop and pay them to replace the gear. The correct gear and its installation is important. Have them check to be sure the valve is not stuck. If you bent the cr@p out of the cover, buy a new one. Keep the governor clean and carefully install the cover with new silicone bead.

83burban · 11-24-2008, 05:05 PM

Thanks for the advice - but the trans also seems to be slipping really badly. I am guessing that it burned out - not good for me at all since I needed a car that ran and drove now not needing transmission work.

**truckdude239** · 11-24-2008, 06:28 PM

700r4 are a dime a dozen if the TV cable is not set correctly they will burn up you could probley get a good used one for about 200 to 500 buxs

11-24-2008, 03:32 PM	#1
83burban Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: la Posts: 345	700R4 Stuck in first - need it fixed fast I just bought an 83 suburban yesterday and drive it 3 hours home. Made the drive fine, but when I went to drive it later that night the trans refused to shift out of first gear. It drove 6 bocks before doing this. TO get it home I parked on the side of the road and waited a few minutes, started it up and drove it a block at a time before the trans would start to slip and not accelerate anymore. Same thing this morning. Is the trans shot and in need of a rebuild? Could this be a problem with a stuck shift soleniod or something. I have never worked on the R4 and am new to this particular suburban - been working on my 63 for a while. Thanks for the help

11-24-2008, 03:48 PM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,662	Re: 700R4 Stuck in first - need it fixed fast I had same problem on an 88. Mine was the Governor gear was cracked and broken. Cheap fix. The governor is on the drivers side of the car and is under the round cover that is about 3" across. You will need to pry the cover off the trans, as it is probably siliconed onto the trans. A well placed screwdriver and a hammer to hit it with may be needed. The governor must be pulled out of the case to inspect the gear, which is on the end of the governor shaft (turns against the output shaft). If the teeth are worn off (apple cored) take it to a trans shop and pay them to replace the gear. The correct gear and its installation is important. Have them check to be sure the valve is not stuck. If you bent the cr@p out of the cover, buy a new one. Keep the governor clean and carefully install the cover with new silicone bead. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all Last edited by CPNE; 11-24-2008 at 03:51 PM.

11-24-2008, 05:05 PM	#3
83burban Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: la Posts: 345	Re: 700R4 Stuck in first - need it fixed fast Thanks for the advice - but the trans also seems to be slipping really badly. I am guessing that it burned out - not good for me at all since I needed a car that ran and drove now not needing transmission work.

11-24-2008, 06:28 PM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: 700R4 Stuck in first - need it fixed fast 700r4 are a dime a dozen if the TV cable is not set correctly they will burn up you could probley get a good used one for about 200 to 500 buxs __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube



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