LB7: Transmission Limp and Speed Sensor

3500 LB7

New member
Aug 9, 2011
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Santa Clarita, CA
There’s been a few issues on my truck in the last few months that I can’t figure out nor can the dealer figure out. They want to charge me a bunch of money to take apart the transfer case and transmission just to diagnose, then maybe they can figure out what’s wrong and then determine the fix and cost. I’m hoping I can get some help here first on narrowing a few things down that could be causing the problems before handing over my wallet to the dealer.
1. Only at speeds between 40-60 mph, the speedometer jumps around sporadically and the Service Brake Light and ABS light goes on. Once in a while the brake warning lights would turn off but would come back on eventually. (I’ve recently had the entire instrument cluster replaced under the extended service so I don’t think it’s that.)
2. The truck makes hard shifts between the 2nd and 3rd gear sometimes. I’ll explain. If I accelerate smoothly from stop to cruising highway speeds and get up to the full cruising speed, everything shifts pretty smoothly. But if I’m in traffic and let off on the accelerator just a bit before 3rd gear, the truck would make a hard shift and jerk forward.
3. The truck goes into limp mode sometimes, but more often if I step on the accelerator hard to get on a freeway ramp or merge onto traffic.
 

3500 LB7

New member
Aug 9, 2011
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0
Santa Clarita, CA
That's another strange thing, it doesn't always throw a code. When it does go into limp mode, the check engine light does come on, but after a few restarts, it would disappear again. The next time it happens, I'll check to see if there are any codes.

The harsh shifting from 2nd to 3rd happens all the time with no code. The sporadic speed sensor, ABS and Service Brake System light happens all the time with no code either.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
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Phoenix Az
If the abs light and brake light are on, there is a code in the ABS modual and will need to be pulled with either a tech 2 or some other good scanner that can read that modual
 

DIESELMAFIAPER.LB7

<----new hotness
Jan 17, 2010
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idaho
shop.dieselmafiaperformance.com
Im fighting this problem now as well on a brand new gmax trans the truck said it limped 5th when it didnt i was driving it but the speedo will jump around after 40mph says c0035 front left wheel spees sensor i believe and a c0055 i cant find but id imagine its a speed sensor in tcase? Any input
 

3500 LB7

New member
Aug 9, 2011
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Santa Clarita, CA
I replaced the speed sensor on top of the transfer case but it didn't help. I'll check the speed sensor in the front wheels next. Are there speed sensors in both front wheels or just 1 side? I'd imagine both, but have no idea, so wanted to make sure.
 

770JOHNNYW

New member
Sep 16, 2009
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Gainesville ,Ga
Had this problem before ...its the t case the bushing wears out do to lack of oil to bushing therefore causing the reluctor to pull away from the speed sensor. Rebuild the transfer case with a new oil pump or replace it
 

3500 LB7

New member
Aug 9, 2011
5
0
0
Santa Clarita, CA
That's what I'm afraid of. I was hoping it wasn't the transfer case, cuz that's gonna cost a pretty penny that I can't afford right now. Especially when I just had to pay Uncle Sam some tax $$$. Dang it!!!

I wanted to fix the possible cheaper fixes first, like the speed sensors.