700R4 Skipping 2nd Gear

EvilGenius · Jul 17, 2024

I'm looking for advice on things to examine on my 700R4 that could lead to shifting right from 1st to 3rd gear. The 700R4 in my truck was shifting through all 4 gears not long ago, but I recently ran it a little with low fluid (10-15 miles total). Since topping it back off I seem to skip 2nd gear and shift into 3rd around 25-30 mph and engine rpms are pretty high. Based on some internet searching there is a chance I didn't do any major damage. Any tips on what exactly to look at if I get the pan off or should I look at anything behind the servo cover? I've never been into one of these before so any tips are appreciated.

As for how I ran it low on fluid... I dropped the transfer case to change out the seals and when I put it back in I forgot to check the fluid level in the transmission. I believe that fluid had accumulated in the adapter between the t case and trans. When I dropped the t case all that fluid came out and then that cavity refilled from the transmission, which left it low on fluid.

PrairieDrifter · Jul 17, 2024

EvilGenius said:
I'm looking for advice on things to examine on my 700R4 that could lead to shifting right from 1st to 3rd gear. The 700R4 in my truck was shifting through all 4 gears not long ago, but I recently ran it a little with low fluid (10-15 miles total). Since topping it back off I seem to skip 2nd gear and shift into 3rd around 25-30 mph and engine rpms are pretty high. Based on some internet searching there is a chance I didn't do any major damage. Any tips on what exactly to look at if I get the pan off or should I look at anything behind the servo cover? I've never been into one of these before so any tips are appreciated.

As for how I ran it low on fluid... I dropped the transfer case to change out the seals and when I put it back in I forgot to check the fluid level in the transmission. I believe that fluid had accumulated in the adapter between the t case and trans. When I dropped the t case all that fluid came out and then that cavity refilled from the transmission, which left it low on fluid.

I hate to be the bad guy, and I'm no auto transmission expert. But if it happened after you ran it low on fluid, I'd say you burnt up second gear.

Maybe something got stuck, but I doubt it. There's more knowledgeable people here than me on the subject.

NickTransmissions · Jul 17, 2024

EvilGenius said:
I'm looking for advice on things to examine on my 700R4 that could lead to shifting right from 1st to 3rd gear. The 700R4 in my truck was shifting through all 4 gears not long ago, but I recently ran it a little with low fluid (10-15 miles total). Since topping it back off I seem to skip 2nd gear and shift into 3rd around 25-30 mph and engine rpms are pretty high. Based on some internet searching there is a chance I didn't do any major damage. Any tips on what exactly to look at if I get the pan off or should I look at anything behind the servo cover? I've never been into one of these before so any tips are appreciated.

As for how I ran it low on fluid... I dropped the transfer case to change out the seals and when I put it back in I forgot to check the fluid level in the transmission. I believe that fluid had accumulated in the adapter between the t case and trans. When I dropped the t case all that fluid came out and then that cavity refilled from the transmission, which left it low on fluid.

Are you confident you have the correct amount of fluid in the system now?

Do you have 4th gear or no?

How you answer question 2 will determine what I recommend you do next...

EvilGenius · Jul 18, 2024

NickTransmissions said:
Are you confident you have the correct amount of fluid in the system now?

Do you have 4th gear or no?

How you answer question 2 will determine what I recommend you do next...

I can't tell if I have 4th tbh. My truck doesn't have a tach and the shift into 4th isn't very harsh. I'm planning on hooking up a temporary tach to try and more clearly identify when the shifts occur and at what rpm. I'll come back in the future with more data.

NickTransmissions · Jul 18, 2024

EvilGenius said:
I can't tell if I have 4th tbh. My truck doesn't have a tach and the shift into 4th isn't very harsh. I'm planning on hooking up a temporary tach to try and more clearly identify when the shifts occur and at what rpm. I'll come back in the future with more data.

If you have 4th but not 2nd, I'd pull the servo assembly out and see if any of the o-rings or sealing rings are damaged...If not, the band is likely shot and you'll need to yank for overhaul. If you don't have second or forth, i.e. the PCM is commanding an upshift into 2nd from 1st and into 4th from third but the transmission isn't mechanically responding, band is shot and same - trans needs to come out for overhaul.

RetroC10Sport · Jul 18, 2024

I lost 2nd and 4th when my "hardened" sunshell exploded.

Matt69olds · Jul 18, 2024

RetroC10Sport said:
I lost 2nd and 4th when my "hardened" sunshell exploded.

And reverse I bet.

RetroC10Sport · Jul 18, 2024

Matt69olds said:
And reverse I bet.

Yes indeed.

EvilGenius · Jul 18, 2024

I sadly appear to only have 1st and 3rd after some more testing tonight. Very frustrating as I've only put 1000 miles on the truck since I got it back together. I'm guess now I'm on the lookout for a new 700r4 or rebuilding this one.

Can any further damage result in putzing around as it is? I only drive it to work 7 miles away. I don't want to park it for the rest of the summer as that would be the most likely result if I pull the tranny. Just being real with myself.

NickTransmissions · Jul 18, 2024

EvilGenius said:
I sadly appear to only have 1st and 3rd after some more testing tonight. Very frustrating as I've only put 1000 miles on the truck since I got it back together. I'm guess now I'm on the lookout for a new 700r4 or rebuilding this one.

Can any further damage result in putzing around as it is? I only drive it to work 7 miles away. I don't want to park it for the rest of the summer as that would be the most likely result if I pull the tranny. Just being real with myself.

Others mentioned sun shell so if you dont have reverse either, that's likely what happened. Those shells are made of soft metal and usually strip at the neck splines or spines separated from the body.

Rebuild yours so you know what exactly went into it. Check out my 700R4 Info Thread for information on parts, procedures as well as additional resources to help you through the process.

EvilGenius · Jul 18, 2024

Reverse works great. Most likely a band issue as you said earlier. Been watching some of your videos to try and educate myself. Is there any issue on reusing the torque converter? Or should I go all new on that as well?

NickTransmissions · Jul 18, 2024

EvilGenius said:
Reverse works great. Most likely a band issue as you said earlier. Been watching some of your videos to try and educate myself. Is there any issue on reusing the torque converter? Or should I go all new on that as well?

Oh ok, if rev works, sun shell is intact for now. Replace with the Sonnax Smart sun shell when you go back together with it.

Never reuse the torque converter. Find a good local converter builder and have him rebuild it.

EvilGenius · Jul 18, 2024

Thanks for the help!

700R4 Skipping 2nd Gear

EvilGenius

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PrairieDrifter

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NickTransmissions

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EvilGenius

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NickTransmissions

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RetroC10Sport

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Matt69olds

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RetroC10Sport

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EvilGenius

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NickTransmissions

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EvilGenius

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NickTransmissions

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EvilGenius

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