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Help with 6L80 2-3 shift issue

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32K views 18 replies 6 participants last post by  Paul Cummings  
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#1 ·
I have a 2009 Sierra All Terrain with the 6.2 and the 6L80 trans. It has only 20,000mi and has not been modified or taken off road (I know why did you get the All Terrain then). I Just recently noticed that when I first start driving a delay shifting from 2nd to 3rd and the trans seems to be slipping before engaging in 3rd. It has been warm here in Arkansas and the trans is reading 93 degrees today as I drove away this afternoon, and had this slipping before finally shifting.
I undertand this has been more and more common. Some say it has to do with a cold transmission as it improves above 75 degrees. Mine gets better as I drive it but I would consider it warm already.
Has there been anything that has fixed this issue? Some noted TCM replacement, valve bodies replaced, entire transmission replacement, finally full on computer reprogramming from people like Black Bear.
Does anyone have any advice?
 
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#3 ·
I had just read where people have resolved this 2->3 flare shift with a tune. I was just trying to get a grip on what to expect at the dealership when I take it there as I have an extended warranty. I also was trying to determine if what the TSB for seal replacement would fix it.
Again I just want to get a consensus on what the problem is and what actually needs to be done to fix the problem.
thanks
 
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#4 ·
Hello Paul,

I apologize that you are experiencing a concern with your Sierra and the transmission shifting. I see that you are reaching out to the community for advice. I apologize that I do not have access to any TSB information, but if you were working with the dealership, I would be more than happy to work with you and the dealership. Please private message me and let me know if this is something that you would like me to do. Thank you very much for your time.

Gregory W.
GM Customer Care
 
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#5 ·
Thank you Gregory for your offer to help me. The truck is operable at this point, and I will have it to the shop soon. Work and family obligations right now but I will take you up on your offer of assistance when/if it comes to it. I am a little skiddish about dealership service departments. I have been down the road of "it is operating normal", "could not reproduce", or they want to do some service you have to pay for before they consider a issue that the warranty should cover (ie. I should let them service my transmission at my cost even though the 2009 truck only has 20,000mi on it). I appreciate your concern for my satisfaction. Thanks again :D
 
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#7 ·
Paul Cummings said:
Thank you Gregory for your offer to help me. The truck is operable at this point, and I will have it to the shop soon. Work and family obligations right now but I will take you up on your offer of assistance when/if it comes to it. I am a little skiddish about dealership service departments. I have been down the road of "it is operating normal", "could not reproduce", or they want to do some service you have to pay for before they consider a issue that the warranty should cover (ie. I should let them service my transmission at my cost even though the 2009 truck only has 20,000mi on it). I appreciate your concern for my satisfaction. Thanks again :D
Click to expand...
You are very welcome Paul! Feel free to private message my counterpart Jessica, or I at any time if you have any question or concerns. Thank you very much for taking the time to respond!

Gregory W.
GM Customer Care
 
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#8 ·
Most commonly happens when I get in the truck to go home in the afternoon. I can immediately get on the access road (45mph). I do this under moderate throttle. The trans temp is ususally about 80 degrees due to the summer temp. The 1-2 shift is normal, but it has been having the 2-3 rpm slip with rpm flare. The trans engages 3rd somewhat severly due to the increase of about 4-500rpm. As you drive this symptom goes away. The last few days I have not noticed this 2-3 shift problem. Not sure why it would suddenly start happening then just as suddenly go away? I have not taken it in to the dealership yet to be diagnoised but maybe it does need a fluid and filter change. Truck is never abused, very low milage, it is 4yrs old though.
 
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#9 ·
ATF change recommended 100k (normal service) or 50k (severe service).

I would first look for tranny codes, they don't always set the SES light and pending codes don't set the light until they become current. You can't use a regular code reader to check these, it would only show up as a P0700 (generic trans problem code).
 
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#10 ·
Thanks, I looked at my odometer and I am showing 22,000mi (again on a 09' with the 6.2L 6L80E with a towing pkg.). It is driven daily only about 3-4mi round trip (I use mass transit to work). It has gone on acouple of out of state vacations, and doesn't see mud or towing service (I like having 4WD when I need it, inclimate weather, and I like the look of the All Terrain pkg.).
I got in and today had the 2-3 shift flare again! I will have to take it in to figure it what is going on. I am really disappointed that a truck with such low mi. can be having a problem with a major driveline component.
I figured the ATF fluid would be Ok but I know the dealership will suggest this, and I thought maybe the filter could be clogged, or the fluid be getting old. Just trying to research what others have done to resolve this problem, and trying to anticipate what response the dealer will have. I guess I wont know untill I take it in.
 
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#13 ·
Yes, it is a 2009 with only 22,000mi on it. I just know (from experience) dealerships will often want to try things that are not covered ie. trans fluid/filter change first. I will then have to fight with them when that doesn't work to be reimbursed. I would be agreeable to the software updates for the transmission first since it is not time to have the transmission serviced yet.
 
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#14 ·
There might be a TCM update to fix this issue. Its highly unlikely your filter is clogged or the fluid needs changing at only 22,000 miles. More that likely just a programming anomaly. These vehicles are programmed (supposedly) to provide the best efficiency.

There will probably be no codes but there may be an update for your concerns. Often times all it is is changing the timing of the shift points.
 
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#15 ·
Just an update.
Ok. Called a local dealer service dept. and spoke with a service adviser, nice guy and he takes care of my father in law with his car. He didn't come out and say that there have or have not been others with the same problem, but he said that the fix with the new computer update probably won't work. I told him about the TSB's regarding seals, and TCM updates, and he dismissed it pretty much saying there are a lot of TSB's. I said I had read of others with this problem a long time ago had new valve bodies, solonoids, and finally the transmission rebuilt and still had the problem. Anyway, he wants me to bring the truck in and take the svc manager for a ride along. He didn't want me to leave it to be looked at, but I am going to have to leave it because if I drive it there the transmission will be warmed up and won't do it.
 
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#18 ·
Paul Cummings said:
Thanks, I looked at my odometer and I am showing 22,000mi (again on a 09' with the 6.2L 6L80E with a towing pkg.). It is driven daily only about 3-4mi round trip (I use mass transit to work). It has gone on acouple of out of state vacations, and doesn't see mud or towing service (I like having 4WD when I need it, inclimate weather, and I like the look of the All Terrain pkg.).
I got in and today had the 2-3 shift flare again! I will have to take it in to figure it what is going on. I am really disappointed that a truck with such low mi. can be having a problem with a major driveline component.
I figured the ATF fluid would be Ok but I know the dealership will suggest this, and I thought maybe the filter could be clogged, or the fluid be getting old. Just trying to research what others have done to resolve this problem, and trying to anticipate what response the dealer will have. I guess I wont know untill I take it in.
Click to expand...
Once you take it in please keep us updated. If you have any further issue you can private message and we will offer our assistance.

Thank you,

Jessica L.
GM Customer Care
 
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#19 ·
This reminds me of my 2001 GMC Sierra excab. I had the cold weather/cold start piston slap. GM early on was changing pistons and doing all sorts of things to try to resolve it. They finally determined that it wasn't a problem that would shorten engine life and gave everyone who complained about it a 5yr 100,000mi warranty on the entire engine. I traded my truck with over 100,000mi and no engine issues except a water pump replaced under the engine warranty for free.
It is just disappointing that GM doesn't test and ensure quality of critical components. The drive line is a high priority. Again, I do not use my truck as a truck and have only 22,000mi on it. This reflects very poorly for the brand.
 
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