I installed the Sonnax kit yesterday and was really happy with the results. Today the truck was running well, but after my wife and I stopped for lunch, we jumped in the truck and it would not shift out of first gear!

I checked the fluid and everything was fine. When I had the tranny opened everything looked pretty good and there were very little metal shavings.

The one thing I noticed was the little spring clips did seem kind of loose on the valves. Is it possible that one came out? Would that cause this problem? I have priced a new valve body and it is $200. I hope this is the cause and nothing more severe. Makes me think I never should have opened it...

Kwik, Cookie, and all the other geniouses here- please help. I am gonna open it up tomorrow. If it is the clips, where could I get some suitable replacements? Should I just get the new valve body from the dealer and forget about the Sonnax kit?

Thanks in advance (sorry for the long rant but you know how it is with your truck)

 

haha, that isnt a long rant.

yes, one of the retainer clips coming off could cause this. it is probably in sleeve controls the 1-2 shift. most likely this retainer clip came off, and it just blew out the valve and spring assembly. this would prevent you from changing gears, as there is no resistance to build up hydraulic pressure to make the shift.

i would drain the fluid into a clean container, you can most likely re-use it. then drop the pan, you will most likely find the end cap, and the two springs that modulate the shift. then drop the valve body, the clip is probably in there. you can get a new one from your dealer, or what i did- was compress the clip tighter, to the point that it will barely go on. it would be alot tighter and probably wont come off again.

good luck.

 

strokin_it7.3

I called the dealer and told me they can only sell me a whole new valve body ($200).
I hope to find the springs and such stuck to the magnet, but I am concerned about the clips. I am gonna try calling a few tranny shops and see if they have some I can buy. Any ideas of what else I can use if I cannot hunt down some of them. Sring clips or jesus clips maybe?

One of the clips in there looked like it was a homemade clip. I am willing to bet that would be the culprit.

 

All three of those clips are the same, so if one looked different, it MAY HAVE BEEN home-made.

Oh, joy! A cludge-monger has already been in your tranny!

Pop

 

Actually, there were 4 clips. The three that went on the valves that stayed there all the looked the same. The clip that held the valve that was replaced looked a bit bigger and completely different- defenitely like someone made it. Still, any ideas what I could use as a substitute?

 

yes, the modulator sleeve was significantly larger.


PS- i have been searching the internet relelentlessly tonight to try and find some clips for you, to no avail.

i would first drop the pan and valve body, to see if the clip actually broke, or just popped off. if it isnt broken, crimp it significantly tighter, and bend the bottom of the clip around the bottom of the sleeve as much as possible.

 

I am searching like crazy too Strokin_it7.3

That is why my responses are coming fast. Thanks to everyone. I am bummed that my baby is not running.. I appreciate all the help this forum offers

 

I Would Think That A Tranny Shop Should Have Some Of Those Clips Laying Around Somewhere Or At Least Get One From Somewhere. You Can't Tell Me That A Tranny Mechanic Has Never Lost Or Broke One Of Them Before.

But I'm With Strokin_it's Solution... Maybe Your Old One Needs To Be Bent Or Crimped To A Point That It Goes On Tighter.

 

Yeah, but I am sure when a tranny is rebuilt they put in new clips. I am gonna try some local shops because I want to at least replace the homemade one. ANd I'm with you 4x4

"You Can't Tell Me That A Tranny Mechanic Has Never Lost Or Broke One Of Them Before."

 

Ok, this morning I opened it up and took out the valve body. I went down to see friend who owns a tranny shop and he replaced the clips and set it down back to stock. Figured ok, its gonna work.
Put the valve body in filled it with fluid, and guess what..
It shift up into 2nd but thats it. no OD
I noticed that the "off" light on the gear shift was blinking. It has gotta be something electrical. Any ideas?