I don't feel like screwing with it, so it is at the shop.

For the past few months, I cant feel it go into overdrive. So a few weeks ago, I got under there and noticed my rear seal leaking black fluid---not good.
Then I checked the fluid...the bottom of the dipstick was black with a thick black film---not good. LOL
Today, it hunted for gears and wouldn't go into overdrive on the way to the shop.

Looks like Im rebuilding the tranny

Ill let you all know what I find out. It Is a 03 with and 00 trans in it...

 

You might try flushing the fluid (NOT back-flushing) and filling it with clean, changing the filter and removing the drain back valve... seal is easy to replace, running it low will cause problems... fluid can do wonders for perceived problems sometimes... Transmissions are expensive...

 

My tech called me today...Scanned the trans computer and it was working --> it said the trans temp sensor was reading 10 degrees...that would keep it from going into OD...

We'll see what happens

 

Sure would.

 

Yea that is definitely the issue.
I will find out Monday what exactly the issue is but it sounds like that sensor was the original reason the owner of the donor van junked it. No one could figure that out.
Ill let ya'all know....I guess I found a good tranny shop LOL

 

Got my van back Yes it was the governor solenoid and temp solenoid. They are both on the same mounting bracket, so both were replaced.
The tech, who was excellent, was confused why the solenoid pack was in there in the first place. The one that was in there would show -40 at start up and then go up to 35 degrees...that was it. Possibly, there was a rebuild and the wrong solenoid was used in the rebuild. This could be why the original owner junked the donor van.
There are two type in the year 2000 - it was a translon year for the 46RE. Also, the wire connector is different between the two packs.
It was never going into overdrive. I was feeling the torque convertor lock up in 3rd and that was it. It is way different now and I am running at 1900 RPMS @ 66MPH. So yes it is working
This was one of those really strange problems that I am happy was figured out!
The fluid was a little brown but nothing bad. There was no sludge in the pan.

 

Another thing I noticed today -- my trans temp idiot light works --- I have never seen It before LOL

 

Does it come on while you are driving??

 

No - it never operated after my motor and trans swap until I had the sensor repaired...
Now it does...