Questions and Answers

GMC Jimmy Is A Slow And Hard Shifter Q. I have a 1998 GMC Jimmy 4WD with a 4.3 liter V-6, full power options and an 4 speed automatic transmission. It has 79,000 miles on it and now it likes to shift slow. It shifts a little hard from first to second, smooth from second to third, and slow from third to forth and OD. If you step on it hard, you can see the tach drop about 2,000, hesitate and drop more until it is in gear.

When you step lightly to shift down it takes a lot of pedal for it to kick down. It's almost like the engine lacks power to gain the little speed needed. The truck has been very well kept and maintained. Where should I start? All fluids are good and changed recently.

Thank you,
John

A. Try a dealer and see if there are any updates for the PCM programming. There may also be some service bulletins out for this problem. I remember seeing one and it sounded like what you're describing. Sounds like a valve may be sticking inside the transmission. They had lots of problems with those valve bodies.