A question for a "Mr. Goodwrench" ?????

[shorty27]

I have a 2001 GMC 1500HD. They are telling me that the trans needs to be replaced. 66000 miles. Never worked. Anyone have a rough indea of a percentage rate for failures on a trans like this? It seems unreasonable to me for this to be happening. I just bought this truck in July 2006 and it has been back to the dealership 4 times. Twice for the battery, once for a starter replacement and now this. Dealer doesn't want to know anything. Oh, by the way, when I push the tow/haul button, nothing changes and hasn't since I owned the truck. Since I was unfamiliar with this option, I didn't know if I should feel a change when this button was pushed.

[mrjohnwayne]

yeah you should have delayed shifts with the tow/haul. Don't know about the failure rate though.

[bradrhale]

mine wont let you go into overdrive. it takes it a moment or so but will notice a differance in shift points like jw said. shame you are having this many probs though.

[72'CaminoKid]

what are you towing with it?

[scottie]

the tow button is just a fancy o/d off button. a tranny overhaul isnt very rare and fairly routine, but expensive. the fact that your tow button doesn't work is probly a good inication that somethings wrong with the tranny internals

[75K30]

the tow/haul button is not a fancy overdrive off button. It still allows the trans to go into overdrive, and still allows full converter lockup. Converter lock up is a very important part to keeping the transmission cool.
Your transmission is a durable unit, but like any other mechanical device, it is subject to failure. It is unfortunate that you are experiencing it, but it happens. The fact that you mentioned the tow / haul mode was inop should have been an indication that something was wrong. I understand that you were not familiar with its operation, and that too is unfortunate.
Many transmission failures are a direct result of overheat. This is usually from towing excessive loads. Do you tow a big trailer? Is that trailer something that you should be pulling with a bigger truck? The heavy half campaign was a good way to move 1/2 ton trucks for G.M., but many have found them to fall a bit short when used to pull loads where a 3/4 ton or greater was really necessary.

[shorty27]

Well, I don't tow anything but very rarely. The heaviest I have towed with this truck was another truck on an open car trailer and that was only for about 70 miles down the highway. It towed that like there wasn't anything even behind it. All together weighed about 6000lbs. That is it. Now, although I haven't towed with it, I know that the previous owner had either a gooseneck trailer or a 5th wheel. After some looking and lifting the bed liner, you can see the holes drilled in the floor of the box and the marks where the hitch was attached to the frame. This truck has a 6.0 so the motor should be plenty for anything most people would tow. I do, however believe that the previous owner had a bigger trailer than it was rated for. Possibly he felt some slippage and decided to trade before it became a problem. Now it is my problem ??? I think I got stuck dealing with something they knew was there but won't admit to.


Let me add something. The trans was making a whining noise for 3 days. Sort of the same as when you crank the steering wheel to far and the pump whines. You could also hear something bouncing around the trans once in a while like a ting ting noise. It was also thunking at some shift points but it was irregular. Now, the noise has stopped and you wouldn't know anything was wrong. I have a trans swap scheduled for Tuesday at a cost of about $3000. What the heck should I do???HELP

[mrjohnwayne]

If you can prove it they must fix it. You can use the Lemon law.

[75K30]

Lemon law is not applicable here, since it is not a re-occuring problem, and simply a failed component. You could try to look up vehicle service records from your local dealership using the VIN to determine whether or not any type of transmission work had been preformed prior to you owning the truck. This will provide you with a few answers and maybe you will get luck, and find out that the transmission was replaced or worked on just before you bought it, and it may still have some warranty. The factory has a 12 / 12 warranty on their own stuff. It is a long shot, but you may find a way to go.
Unfortunately it sounds like you are going to have to bite the bullet here, and perhaps you suspisions regarding the over use of the truck were correct. I see many 1/2 ton trucks, and even the world famous 'heavy half' trucks pulling trailers that are too large for them, and start scattering parts. Even though the truck may have bigger springs, and bigger brakes, they still have the drivetrain of their smaller cousins, and are not up to the task of pulling such large loads.
Feel bad about your dilema, wish there was an easier solution

[shorty27]

I checked the service records and there was no trans issues recorded. Only a fluid and filter change that has me suspicious. I guess I got the bad end of the deal this time. You know, I really like this truck. It looks nice and runs nice (most of the time) but I need it to be reliable. Live and learn I guess. I did put in a call to gm customer service so we will see if that does any good.