S10 problem
I couldn’t resist buying the boy’s s10a, it goes a little forward and good backward.
Have any of you ever had no slipping oil in an automatic transmission?
I’m wondering if there’s something else wrong. Other than worn discs, I think the transmission worked right away when he put it in. and thought I’d try this.
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describe a little forward and good backward. Is it not shifting and revving really high rpms without engaging or just barely moving? Did you try to put it in second gear and try to move? The solenoids could be toast or maybe the fire, crisped the wires going to it? It is really a question for not me. I don’t claim to be a mechanic. 
It could be slipping. I have used the oil, it works for a short period of time. Sometimes flushing the transmission fluid works. You do like 1/3 of it. What does the fluid actually look like?
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My son changed the gearbox on it and it only moves forward a little slowly at high revs.
He says it doesn’t move forward at all with normal oil, he thinks there are 10 liters (2.6 gallons) in it now that it moves a little slowly.
I’m wondering if he forgot a connector or hose, which makes the pressure in the gearbox too low.
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Jan it sounds like your GM automatic transmission is in Limp-Home mode.
The cable shifter set up to mechanically allow for only a valved Reverse and, only a 2nd range forwards.
You need to scan it for transmission codes.
And to see if through the outside of the transmission electronic controller; AND the vehicle wiring harness the transmission can communicate.
Fluid will not fix a vehicle controller, wiring harness or plug ends problem.
Steve Unruh
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Thanks Steve.
The boy hasn’t got the shifter right, and it could be something more too.
I’ll see if my reader can handle this s10a.
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One of the key things from a distance you have stated is: (goes) " . . .good backwards".
That says you are getting engine power transfer through the internal torque converter, and the internal torque converter clutch. That the pressure pump is able to build up at least a minimal internal pressure.
With a properly adjusted command shifting cable IF the computer cannot control the internal solenoid valving the system is designed to give you at least just reverse and 2nd range forwards. This is a base emergency minimal operation mode.
A good bi-directional scanner will be able to tell you many things such as a mis-adjusted control cable.
JanA. There are at least a hundred different things that could be the problem.
And most likely with now with all old; and now a mixed parts vehicle it will be more than one problem you are fighting.
Just a hardened cracked o-ring seal on the input shaft can bypass bleed off enough pump pressure to give you fits.
Automatic transmissions; and especially electronically controlled automatic transmissions are far, far away from a manual gearbox, See-Do; or See-Not-Do level of technology.
I much rather sort out EFI systems problems. Much easier.
Steve Unruh
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Steve, do you have any recommendations for a gauge for the s10 2001?
I can’t find one that takes the gearbox and is relatively cheap.
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