Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SYS.OK|MANUAL.DBβ LIVE
HOMESERVICE MANUALSCHEVROLET1987SUBURBAN R20, 5.7 K, STANDARDREPAIR AND DIAGNOSIS (SINGLE PAGE)TRANSMISSIONAUTOMATIC TRANSDIAGNOSIS - TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH - TRUCKSTROUBLE SHOOTINGTURBO HYDRA-MATIC 700-R4
1987 Chevrolet Suburban R20, 5.7 K, Standard
Turbo Hydra-MATIC 700-R4
1987 Chevrolet Suburban R20, 5.7 K, StandardSECTION Turbo Hydra-MATIC 700-R4
Every diagnosis of automatic transmission problems should begin with a check of the transmission fluid and linkage. Most of the following conditions can be caused by one or more of the following factors:
- Incorrect fluid level
- Contaminated fluid
- Improperly adjusted linkage
- Damaged or worn linkage.
TURBO HYDRA-MATIC 700-R4 TROUBLE SHOOTING
| Condition | Possible Cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Only, No Upshift - Governor Assembly | ||
| Valve sticking | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Driven gear loose or damaged | Replace governor assembly | |
| Drive gear retaining pin missing | Replace retaining pin | |
| Nicks or burrs on output shaft, governor sleeve, or case bore | Service as required | |
| Improper support pin length | Replace support pin | |
| Governor weights or springs missing, damaged, or binding | Service as required | |
| 1-2 shift valve sticking in valve body, or spacer plate or gaskets mispositioned or damaged | Service as required | |
| Case-to-valve body face not flat or damaged, or governor screen restricted or damaged 2-4 Servo Assembly | Service as required | |
| Restricted or blocked case passages | Clean and clear obstructions | |
| Nicks or burrs on servo pin or case pin bore | Service as required | |
| Missing or damaged piston or pin seals | Replace piston or seals | |
| 4th servo piston installed backward | Replace servo piston | |
| 2-4 band worn or damaged, or band anchor pin not engaged | Service as required | |
| Slips in 1st - Forward Clutch Assembly | ||
| Clutch plates worn | Replace clutch plates | |
| Piston porosity or damaged | Replace piston | |
| Piston seals missing or damaged | Replace piston seals | |
| Input housing-to- forward clutch housing "O" ring seal missing or damaged | Replace "O" ring seal | |
| Damaged housing | Replace housing | |
| Housing retainer and ball assembly not seating or damaged | Replace retainer and ball assembly | |
| Input housing and shaft assembly turbine shaft seals missing or damaged | Replace turbine shaft seals | |
| Accumulator valve stuck in valve body | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Valve body face not flat, damaged lands, or interconnected passages | Replace valve body | |
| Spacer plate or gaskets incorrect, mispositioned, or damaged | Replace spacer plate or gaskets | |
| T V. cable binding or broken | Service or replace as required | |
| Slips in 1st - 1-2 Accumulator Piston Assembly | ||
| Porosity in piston or cover and pin assembly | Replace piston or cover and pin assembly | |
| Damaged piston ring grooves | Replace piston | |
| Piston seal missing or damaged | Replace piston seal | |
| Cover gasket missing or damaged | Replace cover gasket | |
| Broken accumulator spring | Replace spring | |
| Improper oil presure | Perform PRESSURE test; Service as required | |
| High or Low 1-2 Shift Speeds | ||
| T V. cable improperly adjusted, binding, or broken | Adjust or service cable; See GENERAL SERVICING | |
| High or Low 1-2 Shift Speeds - Governor Assembly | ||
| Valve sticking | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Driven gear loose or damaged | Replace governor assembly | |
| Drive gear retaining pin missing | Replace retaining pin | |
| Nicks or burrs on output shaft, governor sleeve, or case bore | Service as required | |
| Improper support pin length | Replace support pin | |
| Governor weights or springs missing, damaged, or binding | Service as required | |
| Throttle lever and bracket assembly misassembled, binding or damaged, or T.V. link missing, binding or damaged | Service as required | |
| Valve body face not flat, T.V. exhaust check ball stuck, or T.V. plunger sticking | Service as required | |
| Oil pump assembly or case face not flat | Replace oil pump assembly or case | |
| Slipping or Rough 1-2 Shift | ||
| Throttle lever and bracket assembly incorrectly installed or damaged, or T.V. cable broken or binding | Replace throttle lever and bracket assembly or T.V. cable | |
| Slipping or Rough 1-2 Shift - Valve Body Assembly | ||
| Throttle valve sticking | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| T.V. bushing turned in bore | Replace bushing | |
| 1-2 shift valve train, line bias valve, accumulator valve or T.V. Iimit valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Gaskets or spacer plate incorrect, mispositioned or damaged | Replace gaskets or spacer plate | |
| Body face not flat | Replace valve body | |
| Slipping or Rough 1-2 Shift - 2-4 Servo Assembly | ||
| Apply pin too long or too short | Replace apply pin | |
| Servo seals or "O" ring seals missing or damaged | Replace servo seals or "O" ring seals | |
| Restricted or missing oil passages | Service as required | |
| Case servo bore damaged | Service as required | |
| Slipping or Rough 1-2 Shift - 2nd Accumulator | ||
| Porosity in 1-2 accumulator housing or piston | Replace piston or housing | |
| Piston seal or groove damaged | Replace piston | |
| Nicks or burrs in 1-2 accumulator housing | Service as required | |
| Missing or restricted oil passages | Replace accumulator | |
| Worn or mis- positioned 2-4 band | Replace 2-4 band | |
| Oil pump assembly or case faces not flat | Replace oil pump or case | |
| Slipping, Rough or No 2-3 Shift | ||
| Internal converter damage | Replace converter | |
| Slipping, Rough or No 2-3 Shift - Governor Assembly | ||
| Valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Drive gear retaining pin missing or loose | Replace retaining pin | |
| Weights binding | Service as required | |
| Governor drive gear damaged | Replace drive gear | |
| Support pin in case too long or too short | Replace support pin | |
| Oil pump stator shaft sleeve scored or mislocated | Replace shaft sleeve | |
| Slipping, Rough or No 2-3 Shift - Valve Body | ||
| 2-3 valve train or accumulator valve stuck | Clean and free valve train; Service as required | |
| Spacer plate or gaskets incorrect, mispositioned or damaged | Replace spacer plate or gaskets | |
| Throttle valve or T.V. limit valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Slipping, Rough or No 2-3 Shift - Input Housing Assembly | ||
| Forward or 3-4 clutch plates worn | Determine cause of condition; Service as required | |
| Excessive clutch plate travel | Determine cause and service as required | |
| Forward or 3-4 piston seals damaged | Replace piston seals | |
| Porosity in 3-4 clutch housing or piston, or 3-4 piston check ball stuck, damaged or not sealing | Replace 3-4 clutch housing, piston or piston check ball | |
| Restricted apply passages | Clean and clear obstructions; Service as required | |
| Forward clutch piston or 3rd accum- ulator retainer and ball assembly not seating | Replace retainer and ball assembly | |
| Sealing balls loose or missing | Replace sealing balls | |
| 2-4 servo pin seals or 2nd apply piston seals missing or damaged | Replace pin seals | |
| Rough, Slipping or No 3-4 Shift - Gonvernor | ||
| Weights binding | Service as required | |
| Valve sticking | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Drive gear damaged, or retaining pin missing or loose | Replace drive gear or retaining pin | |
| Improper support pin length | Replace support pin | |
| Oil pump assembly faces not flat, or pump cover retainer and ball assembly omitted or damaged | Replace pump or cover retainer and bail assembly | |
| Rough, Slipping or No 3-4 Shift - Valve Body Assembly | ||
| 2-3 valve train, accumulator valve, throttle valve, T.V. limit valve, 1-2 shift valve or 3-2 control valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Manual valve link bent or damaged | Replace manual valve link | |
| Spacer plates or gaskets incorrect, mispositioned or damaged | Replace spacer plates or gaskets | |
| Rough, Slipping or No 3-4 Shift - 2-4 Servo Assembly | ||
| Incorrect band apply pin | Replace band apply pin | |
| Missing or damaged servo seals | Replace seals | |
| Porosity in pistons, cover or case | Service as required | |
| Plugged or missing orifice cup plug | Clean and clear obstruction or replace cup plug | |
| Rough, Slipping or No 3-4 Shift - Case | ||
| 3rd accumulator retainer and ball assembly leaking | Determine cause and service as required | |
| Porosity in 3-4 accumulator piston or bore | Replace piston or case | |
| 3-4 accumulator piston seal or seal grooves damaged | Replace piston seal or piston | |
| Plugged or missing orifice cup plug | Clean and clear obstruction or replace cup plug | |
| Restricted oil passage | Clear obstruction; Service as required | |
| Rough, Slipping or No 3-4 Shift - Input Housing Assembly | ||
| Forward or 3-4 clutch plates worn, or excessive plate travel | Determine cause of condition; Service as required | |
| Forward or 3-4 piston seals damaged | Replace piston seals | |
| Porosity in 3-4 clutch housing or piston | Replace 3-4 clutch housing or piston | |
| 3-4 piston check ball or sealing balls stuck, damaged or not sealing | Replace check ball or sealing balls | |
| Restricted apply passages | Clean and clear obstructions; Service as required | |
| Forward clutch piston retainer and ball assembly not seating | Replace retainer and ball assembly | |
| 2-4 band assembly worn or misassembled | Replace band assembly | |
| No or Slips in "R" - Input Housing Assembly | ||
| 3-4 apply ring stuck in applied position | Clean and free ring; Service as required | |
| Forward clutch not releasing | Determine cause of condition; Service as required | |
| Turbine shaft seals missing or damaged | Replace turbine shaft seals | |
| Manual linkage out of adjustment | Adjust linkage; See GENERAL SERVICING | |
| No or Slips in "R" - Oil Pump Assembly | ||
| Retainer and ball assembly missing or damaged | Replace retainer and ball assembly | |
| Stator shaft seal rings or ring grooves damaged | Replace shaft or seal rings | |
| Stator shaft sleeve scored or damaged | Replace shaft sleeve | |
| Reverse boost valve stuck, damaged or misassembled | Clean and free, or replace valve | |
| Cup plug missing | Replace cup plug | |
| Restricted oil passage | Clean and clear obstructions; Service as required | |
| Faces not flat | Replace pump assembly | |
| Converter clutch apply valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| No or Slips in "R" - Valve Body Assembly | ||
| 2-3 shift valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Manual linkage out of adjustment | Adjust linkage; See GENERAL SERVICING | |
| Spacer plate and gaskets incorrect, mispositioned or damaged | Replace spacer plate or gaskets | |
| No or Slips in "R" - Reverse Input Clutch | ||
| Clutch plate worn | Determine cause of condition; Service as required | |
| Housing and drum assembly cracked at weld | Replace housing and drum assembly | |
| Clutch plate or return spring assembly retaining ring out of groove | Replace retaining ring | |
| Piston deformed or dished | Replace piston | |
| Seals damaged or missing | Replace seals | |
| Retainer and ball assembly not sealing | Replace retainer and ball assembly | |
| Restricted apply passage | Clean and clear obstructions; Service as required | |
| No or Slips in "R" - Low-Reverse Clutch | ||
| Clutch plates worn or retaining ring mispositioned | Determine cause of worn plates; Replace retaining ring | |
| Porosity in piston | Replace piston | |
| Seals damaged | Replace seals | |
| Return spring assembly retaining ring mispositioned | Replace retaining ring | |
| Restricted apply passage | Clean and clear obstructions; Service as required | |
| Case porosity | Replace case | |
| Case cover plate improperly tightened, or gasket missing or damaged | Tighten bolts; Replace gasket | |
| No Part Throttle or Delayed Downshifts | ||
| External linkage not adjusted | Adjust linkage; See GENERAL SERVICING | |
| No Part Throttle or Delayed Downshifts - 2-4 Servo Assembly | ||
| Apply pin seal damaged or missing | Replace apply pin seal | |
| Servo cover retaining ring missing or misassembled | Replace retaining ring | |
| 4th apply piston damaged or misassembled | Replace 4th apply piston | |
| Inner housing damaged or misassembled | Replace inner housing | |
| Governor weights binding, or valve stuck | Service as required | |
| No Part Throttle or Delayed Downshifts - Valve Body Assembly | ||
| Throttle valve, 3-2 control valve or T.V. modulated down- shift valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| T.V. sleeve turned in bore | Replace T.V sleeve | |
| 4-3 sequence valve body channel blocked | Clean and clear channel of obstruction; Service as required | |
| No. 5 check ball missing | Replace No. 5 check ball | |
| No Overrun Braking in "L1", "L2," or "L3" | ||
| External linkage out of adjustment | Adjust linkage; Service as required | |
| No Overrun Braking in "L1", "L2," or "L3" - Valve Body Assembly | ||
| 4-3 sequence valve or throttle valve stuck | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| No. 3 check ball mispositioned | Replace No. 3 check ball | |
| Spacer plate and gaskets incorrect, damaged or mispositioned | Replace spacer plate or gaskets | |
| No Overrun Braking in "L1", "L2," or "L3" - Input Clutch Assembly | ||
| Turbine shaft oil passages plugged or not drilled | Service as required | |
| Turbine shaft seal rings damaged | Replace shaft seal rings | |
| Turbine shaft sealing balls loose or missing | Replace sealing balls | |
| Porosity in forward or overrun clutch piston | Replace forward or overrun clutch piston | |
| Overrun piston seals damaged or missing | Replace piston seals | |
| Overrun piston check ball not sealing | Replace check ball | |
| Drives in Neutral (Creeps) | ||
| Forward clutch not releasing | Determine cause of condition; Service as required | |
| Internal converter damage | Replace converter | |
| Converter clutch apply valve stuck in oil pump | Clean and free valve; Service as required | |
| Internal leakage in case, or face not flat | Replace case | |
| Starts in 2nd in "D" | ||
| Governor support pin too long or missing, or valve stuck in governor assembly | Service as required | |
| Forward sprag clutch assembly installed backward | Replace sprag clutch assembly | |
| No Park | ||
| Parking linkage binding, mis- positioned, loose, or missing | Replace components as required | |
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.