Hi, I would like any thoughts you might have on a problem I've noticed with my 2005 H2.

Lately, when I get in the car in the morning, I've noticed that right after I start it, the driveline jerks. I think it's getting worse.
This morning I started the car, and it jerked backward. (It scared me!) I only notice it after it's been sitting all night. I have been backing into our shop to park (flat, level floor) and I noticed it 4 or 5 times now in the past couple of weeks. The last gear it's in before I put it in park is reverse.
Also, I'm noticing that at a stop light, or after slowing down almost to a stop, when I give it gas to get moving it will act underpowered and then jerk forward. Like it's not quite in the right gear.

I'm going to tell the dealership because it's still under the Manufacturer's Warranty, but I was hoping to get some info before I go in. I'm headed to Moab at the end of next week.

Any thoughts on this from you folks?

If you need the truck for next week, I would get it to the dealer ASAP. My truck has been at the dealer for 8 days now. I will get it back tomorrow with a new transmission. My dealer said that he had to keep waiting for GM tech support to call back with further instructions. They were reluctant to put a new tranny in a truck with only 4,000 miles. They finally realized that they weren't going to fix it and sent a brand new tranny. Good luck.

Funny, my '05 GMC work van does the same thing when I stop at a light. It feels like I'm pulling a 2 ton trailer for a couple of seconds then goes to normal. Dealer said it's normal, that the gear didn't get shifted down all the way. Sorry for not having a solution but just letting you know what story I was told by the dealer.

Your dealer is an idiot.

I don't have any engine light or anything, so I'm afraid they'll keep it forever just trying to get it to duplicate the problem.
My truck has 24000 miles on it so far.
I looked in the Manual, and performed a cold transmission fluid check, but haven't done it hot yet. The fluid looks clean; no stuff in it, nice and pink. Level was ok.

Your dealer is an idiot. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>My service writer said that too, about my 03 H2. I'm concerned with this one, because I feel like it's moved on to another problem. I need more ammo.

It sounds as if your truck isn't coming out of gear properly. When you leave a stop light, the truck is still in the same gear as it was when you hit the brake. You end up pulling off in 3rd or OD.

The problem is the same when pulling into the shop, the truck isn't coming out of reverse until you start the truck.

I assume you've checked the tranny fluid?

BTW, that's just my thought as I'm not an expert. There may be an exterior actuator that needs to be replaced.

Uh oh. Do we have a winner??!?!?!

Tranny Failure

H2 ROCKS,

Here is a link to my posts about the same thing. I had the same problems and got a new tranny out of it back in Feb. Get it in soon cause it only gets worse. Soon the truck will be in gear and not move anywhere.

No. No. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I hope you mean nice and red, should be mid-dark red and clear. Pink and cloudy means water contamination. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Pink. I only had it on the rag and my finger when I was looking for stuff floating around in it. It was not dark in color. I'll double check today. I don't think it was contaminated with anything. Like clean oil or old oil? This looked clean.

GLBL, thanks for the link.

I did. I RTFM and did a cold check. The level was right on the loop at the bottom of the dipstick.

Ok, not enough coffee this am or something. What is RTFM?

My question really was did you go drive it around for a few miles and then stop and check it to make sure fluid got put everywhere it was supposed to be.

Read The F-ing Manual.
I did a cold check. In the owners manual there is a proceedure for hot and cold. I'm going to take it in to town and have them look at it and make an appointment.

Read The F-ing Manual.
I did a cold check. In the owners manual there is a proceedure for hot and cold. I'm going to take it in to town and have them look at it and make an appointment. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Well Sh!t, I was trying to make it into some type of transmission flush, transmission fondling

I don't know much about auto trannies, so how it can still be slightly in gear and not be fluid related is over my head, right now.

Red-neck Transmission Fondling Maneuver

I hope I can get it resolved. I have a Lion to tame.

So you guys are saying that it will shift funny if it's got low fluid level. And if it's contaminated, it's got different issues.
I just like a car that you can turn the key and it goes. Down is gas, up is brake. Yes, I'm blonde, and it's comforting.

I saw the inside of a transmission once. It reminded me of a corn maze.

[quote]Originally posted by H2 Rocks:
Red-neck Transmission Fondling Maneuver
[quote]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Red-neck Transmission Fondling Maneuver, see I knew there was something in there.

BTW, corn is maize

Red-neck Transmission Fondling Maneuver, see I knew there was something in there.

BTW, corn is maize </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Haven't you ever seen the stupid maze they make in corn fields and you go out there and try and find your way out?

This is what the inside of a transmission looks like.

I know, R-E-L-A-X, I was just kidding.

Making a play on your words. I brought up the maize maze several months ago. And yes, the inside of a tranny looks like a M-A-Z-E.

Just borrow Drty's truck, he won't need it.

****THINKING OUT LOUD*****

I'm wondering if it is the shifter linkage in some way. It's not allowing it to fully shift or something.

Of course, that wouldn't explain the starting off in 2nd gear deal.

Thanks. I'm going in at 1pm to have them take a quick look at it.
Crap always happens before a big trip.

K, here's the verdict. I stopped in at the dealership this afternoon, and they checked the tranny fluid while it was hot. 1.5 quarts low. However, there are no signs of it leaking out of the transmission, and no signs of it leaking into the coolant loop. So, we're going to monitor it and after Moab I'll go back and get the service guys to see if it's leaking into the transfer case. They said it would be easy to tell if it runs out when they take the fill plug out of the t-case. Meanwhile, no one can tell me where the other 1.5 quarts went. I had it serviced at the dealership about 6 weeks ago before a long trip to Arizona, and they checked and topped off all the fluids then.
It's a little mystery.

Well, you sure don't burn Tranny fluid.

I have a hard time thinking it leaked into the transfer case, since it would seem it would have to be forced pass 2 seals.

That's what they said. I can't believe they'd bring it up if it wasn't something they hadn't seen in the past.

I've had it plenty hot before. Never red line, but up towards 250. They said that shouldn't cause any problems.

Maybe your rigs pissed about all the chrome you attached to it?

There is some UV dye they can add to your Tranny fluid and you might want to get them to do that before Moab. Afterwards, when you get back, they can UV light everything and also UV light the T-case fluid and see for sure.

Good idea, I'll ask.

They lied, it will burn up your ATF real fast at 250F , also prolonged 250F periods will will harden your seals and varnish will form. Short periods of high heat aren't as bad, but they can break down the ATF very fast.

If the ATf looks and smells okay, then you are likely okay, but 250F tranny temp is too hot. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>He said it looked ok. I saw him check the coolant reservoir and smell in there.

As far as high temp goes, I'm sure it's been at least above 210ish and below 250. I can't remember seeing it above 250. (might have once knowing me.) Edit: I have never had an overtemp light.

They said they couldn't see any evidence that it had leaked out anywhere. And I've never seen any on the ground, but that's not something I look for everytime I stop for gas on a long trip. I will now.

They checked the t-case and changed the oil while I was there. He didn't say that any leaked out. That's why they want me to drive it. They'll check it after the trip, which is about 2500 miles for me.

My H2 loves it's blanket of chrome. It yearns for more...

My two cents is that the tech that did your trans service only checked the level cold and left it at that. 1.5 quarts is almost exactly the amount in a torque converter and the only way to fill it is by putting it in gear and running the vehicle with the park brake on.

All they did was refill my tranny fluid and a month later it went up in smoke. I would see if you could get them to pull your pans and check for shavings. When they pulled mine down they were full of shavings. My fluid looked and smelled fine and I was about a quart low. Those bastards are lazy and won't do any work if they don't have to. My temps were running about the same as yours when it went up. After the tranny replacement my temps are under 200 even under severe stress. I just don't want you to end up stranded in the middle of the highway when/if it goes out completely. LIKE HAPPENED TO ME!!!