[Royal Bonjour]

New So I have just recently have had a problem happen to my 1997 Chevy Suburban. I was driving down the road and the next thing i know is my engine just starts revving excessively. I noticed that I did not have any transmission and I was on the freeway. I coasted as it felt like i was in neutral and looked down and it had not switched to neutral and was still in drive but acted as like it was in neutral and free flowed down the freeway. I coasted into a gas station and pulled into a parking spot. Looked underneath and noticed that there was tranny fluid all over the undercarriage. Park works, shift into 4X4 and still the same thing. Every gear is just like neutral. The torque converter is spinning also. What could be the problem?

 

[RayVoy]

What do you mean, "the torque converter is spinning"

 

[Aquila99Sub]

How are you able to confirm that the Torque Converter is spinning? From my limited experience with transmissions, you either have a blown / dead transmission where the gears or drums inside are damaged or your torque converter has gone bad and is not engaging or something like that. Your statement that there was transmission fluid all over the place also suggest a leak that eventually let the transmission run dry and the result sadly is the same - dead transmission.

 

[RayVoy]

I agree, however, sometimes just fixing the leak and refilling will solve the problem.

Have you looked for the leak? It is probably a line going to the fluid cooler in the radiator.

 

[Aquila99Sub]

I agree, however, sometimes just fixing the leak and refilling will solve the problem.

Have you looked for the leak? It is probably a line going to the fluid cooler in the radiator.

Does the 1997 have the same filler tube to the transmission in the engine bay like the 1999 does? Can he fill it up and see if the transmission engages again - it might be a quick way to see if that is the issue. Even if it is still leaking - should he discover where the leak is from, at least he'll know how to move forward. Either new tranny, or just fix a leak.

 

[RayVoy]

Sure, good idea

 

[poncho62]

Sounds like he blew a transmission cooling line.

 

[Chesters]

Not often but may be ok, normally when fluid is gone has been low for a bit, and has smoked it, but yes it may still have a chance.

 

[a.graham52]

fix the leak and refill first and foremost. otherwise throw a transmission at it, cooler lines and cooler. it will get fixed one way or another.

 

[RayVoy]

Not often but may be ok, normally when fluid is gone has been low for a bit, and has smoked it, but yes it may still have a chance.

I think he had a sudden loss of fluid Chet, he talked abouuut the underside being covered with fluid.
I think freshh fluid after a repair will get it back to working.

 

[Royal Bonjour]

Thank you fellow members, you have given me some new knowledge to work upon. I will try and refill and see if it engages. If it does then I will try and locate the leak.

 

[xPosTech]

Inspect the lines to the radiator before attempting to refill and check gears. If a line has blown it may dump the fluid as fast as you're putting it in.

Sounds like it happened all at once so best guess is blown line. Once line is replaced be prepared to put a lot of fluid in. Might even be a good time to replace the filter since you're essentially replacing all the fluid.

You coasted into a gas station parking area? Might be worth it to ask them re: using their rack or price to check/replace the line if you buy the fluid/filter from them. Also get permission to park overnight or whatever (CYA) .

Whatever route you take, good luck.

Ted

 

[RayVoy]

You will have 2 lines, if one is leaking, replace both.

 

[xPosTech]

You will have 2 lines, if one is leaking, replace both.

Good call.

Ted