Could dirty transmission fluid cause shift solenoid problems?
Asked by Quinn Aug 16, 2014 at 09:08 PM about the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 4-Door 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My 96 blazer appears to have very dirty
transmission fluid. On the dip stick and on
the pan it almost looks rust like. A year
ago(yes I know very dumb of me to wait a
year) it blew trans fluid all over a covered
trailer I was pulling. I topped off fluid but
then I started to have to let off accelerator
between 1st and 2nd for it to shift into 2nd.
I'm afraid to proceed with draining the fluid,
replacing it along with filter given I've heard
this could cause more harm than good.
7 Answers
Eagle. How can you posably do any more damage?
I advise to change fluid and filter but don't flush. Also add a bottle of CTC to trans fluid when you refill it.
dandyoun. Thank you for a useful response. Would you suggest attempting to clean the solenoids at all of they appear to be covered with dirt/trans fluid mix? The outside of the pan is covered with this so my assumption is the solenoids may be as well.
Truth is it probably needs to be gone completely thru. But if you like me at times that may not be financially possible. Carefully cleaning anything you can get to with pan off may be ok. Just use caution cause anything you move will break other debris loose. Make sure to get out what you can without flushing. I not a fan of flushing one in this condition cause you break this stuff loose and it gets in more critical areas your problems get worse. The CTC works wonders at times. Swells all rubber seals and cleans as it circulates. Put some in after you change the fluid and filter. And good luck cause it's a crap shoot whether or not all this will do you any good with it in such bad shape. But I would try if it was mine just to get me by for a while.
I've found a trans for $300, but I got the vehicle for free. So I'm trying to to make do with little $ spent. Much appreciated dandyoun. I'm more keen to the idea of a simple fluid/ filter change. Thanks again.
Ok. The CTC can be found at car quest stores and it does wonders on shifting problems with auto trans. Might want to add some with the new fluid.
Bearbear_73 answered 4 years ago
Not an answer a question my 96 blazer won't get go past 30 in drive it is an auto tran what and the transmission fluid is clean what could the problem be