Cold weather plays hell on transmissions. If it is below 32 degrees your trans may only 1st or 2 nd gear until the fluid gets hot. But on the other hand if you have high mileage on the trans, you may just need a seal kit. Which is an overhaul.

 

Yea it is very high mileage, 177,000, and the problem actually starts happening after it heats up.

I just need the truck for 5 more months, so I figure I'll get the new solenoids and baby the heck out of it until April/May

 

Mine did the same thing except all in one day and wound up stranded 20 miles from my house. It would stay in second and then got to where it would just netrual out and not move except in rerverse. And the $500 sounds good to me I got charged $1500 but the tranny places here are all expensive.

 

I had this problem over a year ago. I did the Lucas thing, put two bottles in, never drive it above 3,500rpm, and I never have any problems shifting after I did the Lucas. I know anyday it could fail, but I really want to see how long it lasts. I just use it for work and I bought a tranny a while back, just procrastinating. I don't have to deal with the cold weather here though , we are still wearing shorts.