LML Duramax build part 6

[Flyin6]

Well packaged and of a simple design, they make for a nice couple hour project.

[Flyin6]

Most overload springs are already drilled near the ends for wear pads, so you have your working hole already. the inserts are created from a stack of these milled wedges

[Flyin6]

...Which you assemble into a stack like this:

[Flyin6]

The directions call for you to measure the thickness of the lower leaf at a specific point and also the air gap at that point between the upper and lower spring. I recorded mine in the booklet

[Flyin6]

One of the critical measurements is the thickness of the leaf spring itself. You must later create a spacer from washers to equal that distance. I was fortunate enough to get it spot on at .480"

[Flyin6]

Further assembly of the assembly. You need to assemble two with right orientation and two facing left. Confusing at first you will very quickly sort it out

[Flyin6]

Here's my group ready to get bolted on

[Flyin6]

The installation is quick. You then slide one or two 1/4" bolts into whichever hole you can get to keep the device from doing any shifting or rotating while engaged

[Flyin6]

Here it is fully engaged

The latch pin holds the wedge in position

[Flyin6]

With some pressure in the airbags and the wedges all engaged:

The weight of that compact track loader will settle things down some for sure.

[TexasRedNeck]

I still can’t believe you need those in addition to the bags.   My dually with the bags was more than enough for 5000 in the bed/pin weight


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[Flyin6]

I guess I look at is mutual support

I've had several bags let go while heavy bouncing on that "Road" into my farm.

My thought is that the bags have almost never allowed the engagement of the load carrying springs. Therefore they have carried most all of the load. Now that the torquelifts are in there, they will engage the load spring almost immediately. Then in addition to those capable springs, the bags will augment to maintain the ride attitude.

It may be the department of redundancy department thing, but, what the heck...And I am about to start transporting that Kubota a lot more often.

[TexasRedNeck]

Roger.

[wyorunner]

...And I am about to start transporting that Kubota a lot more often.

Did you hire it out? Or trade work rather..

[Flyin6]

...And I am about to start transporting that Kubota a lot more often.

Did you hire it out? Or trade work rather..

I'm going to trade some labor. In the future I am thinking of taking on some small/fun jobs and doing some favors for friends.

Its a very capable machine, might as well let it pay for itself or buy some mud tires and turbochargers!  ;-)

[Bigdave_185]

I need a yard finished come on up pal.


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[dave945]

I’ve got some dirt to move around, wife was just telling me to rent one for a week. It is on your way back from the farm after all.


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[TexasRedNeck]

I could use that Kobelco to expand my pond....

[stlaser]

I could use that Kobelco to expand my pond....

Needing a bigger target for your lawnmower? Guessing eyesight is starting to fail in your later years? 

[Bigdave_185]

I think we would need to add another set of leafspring thinga-mA-JigGerZ to Haul that load Tex.


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[Flyin6]

OK going to borrow my thread back for just a moment

Driving the truck all was normal for a short time. Today, it went into limp mode, and this time had an erratic speedometer along with it seemingly in the wrong gear. Perhaps that all stems from it being in limp mode, that being shifted permanently and remaining in 3rd gear.

So I pulled the codes and got:

0708 which is a TCM code for "Transmission Range Sensor Circuit High Input"

I also had ECM

0673 Glow Plug cylinder three
0700 This is a generic OBD II code that simply indicates that the TCM signaled the ECM to post a code indicating a TCM notification of trouble.

So, I remember the Ally 5 speeds had loads of problems with the wiring harness connections going into the TCM. Things like pin alignment, broken plastic loom holding the pins in place and things like that. In the past I have monkeyed with that harness when I installed the autocal 5-position switch so going there first is a valid place to start. Aside from that it will either be the gear selector position problem or the TCM itself, requiring a new one. Man I hope not, but I am now in it to win it and without reliable transportation (I didn't get my burb back)

[Bigdave_185]

Pull your shifter lever


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[Flyin6]

Pull your shifter lever


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Explain that PP??

[stlaser]

Pull your shifter lever


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Explain that PP??

Careful what you ask for that guy is named Dave! Thread may need sensored after his response!! 

[Flyin6]

^^^ Copy S!

I need to make a correction.

I opened up the ECM harness not this TCM harness I was talking about...Two seperate items!

So, question: I may need a TCM as I progress along this repair logic. I am currently looking at trans input and output speed sensors, and also the PRNDL switch replacement (Another trip inside the trans pan!)

If that isn't it, then it is either wiring as inside the pan harness or main harness or the actual TCM.

So I have looked at the GM ACDelco TCM and it seems to be over $600 and some a bit less. I show one on Amazon for $256 which I believe is not an AC-Delco part. Anyone know anything about this? Stay AC or are the aftermarket units OK?

Edit: My bad. Looking at the $256 unit...It has an AC-Delco tag on it!

[MEbowMAX06]

Last year I had a couple issues with my 06. First was a dying alternator which causes a slew of problems when the trans doesn't get proper voltage.
The next issue I was having was very similar to what you are experiencing. I chased a bunch of hypothesizes like trim valves, harness issues, leaky harness connector coming out of the trans. The actual problem was a mashed trim valve spring on my transgo shift kit. At some point the spring got hung up on the valve body and the valve proceeded to turn the spring into small pieces.
Symptoms were violent shifts, limp mode locked in gear, incorrect shaft speed codes.
Pull your A trim and B trim solenoids, the valve trims should pop out with the solenoid.
Best of luck.

[Flyin6]

Last year I had a couple issues with my 06. First was a dying alternator which causes a slew of problems when the trans doesn't get proper voltage.
The next issue I was having was very similar to what you are experiencing. I chased a bunch of hypothesizes like trim valves, harness issues, leaky harness connector coming out of the trans. The actual problem was a mashed trim valve spring on my transgo shift kit. At some point the spring got hung up on the valve body and the valve proceeded to turn the spring into small pieces.
Symptoms were violent shifts, limp mode locked in gear, incorrect shaft speed codes.
Pull your A trim and B trim solenoids, the valve trims should pop out with the solenoid.
Best of luck.

I haven't installed a transgo kit into this truck, I did in the Suburban, perhaps that's what you were thinking?

So I emailed the great folks up at Motorops in Ontario. I got an email back in minutes telling me they would have an answer pdq. I was asking if I could flash a new TCM with my autocal or if I needed to start new. With all these varied things going wrong, that TCM is square in my gun sights as a probable culprit at this time. I do not think anything mechanical is wrong with my transmission. Heck it looked like new inside and when it works, it works like new still.

[Flyin6]

Oh and I ordered a new glow plug to clear that #3 bad one DTC

[KensAuto]

Don't know if you are aware but you can't just replace the TCM. It has to be programmed after installation. It will limp instantly.

[TexasRedNeck]

Thats the exact one that I bought to replace my bad one on my LML.  Friend coded it to the VIN for $50.

Did you have TCM tuning?  If so from whom?

[TexasRedNeck]

Don, I didnt reload my TCM tune from PPEI after my TCM went bad.  I had a sneaking suspicion that the tuning might have had something to do with it.  I sent you a text.

[Bigdave_185]

Last Christmas when I was gifting a trans shift issue. MikeL tore into the truck and the first phone call from him was that my shiftlever/gear selector on the steering wheel column, the connecting power wires were damaged.   He said it causes many grimlins in these trucks and that’s why it’s where he started.    It’s simple to pull the steering wheel plastic off and one bolt to removed the shift lever.   It’s worth a simple check and no $$$$ to check


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[Flyin6]

Don't know if you are aware but you can't just replace the TCM. It has to be programmed after installation. It will limp instantly.

Yea, I know.
So I already emailed motor ops to see if I could program it with my autocal with the upgraded tune...Or have to get it tuned with the GM calibration first

[Flyin6]

Thats the exact one that I bought to replace my bad one on my LML.  Friend coded it to the VIN for $50.

Did you have TCM tuning?  If so from whom?

Yes, TCM programming from "Motor Ops" in Ontario

[Flyin6]

Last Christmas when I was gifting a trans shift issue. MikeL tore into the truck and the first phone call from him was that my shiftlever/gear selector on the steering wheel column, the connecting power wires were damaged.   He said it causes many grimlins in these trucks and that’s why it’s where he started.    It’s simple to pull the steering wheel plastic off and one bolt to removed the shift lever.   It’s worth a simple check and no $$$$ to check


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OK, I'll look at it, thanks

[CHEVSILVER1500]

Dad had this same problem on his 2011 LML. New TCM from amazon (the 256 dollar unit) and a reflash of the TCM from the dealer and zero issues since. His would even act like it was shifted to park or reverse when you would let off of the accelerator pedal. Very sketchy feeling to say the least

[Flyin6]

Threw the towel in...Ordered the new TCM...Ouch

[TexasRedNeck]

Let’s hope that does the trick.

Even scarier is when my speed sensor went out on the transfer case.

Dash lit up like a Christmas tree and it wouldn’t come out of first gear.

It was a very easy fix, but wow, it had me worried for a while.


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[Flyin6]

Let’s hope that does the trick.

Even scarier is when my speed sensor went out on the transfer case.

Dash lit up like a Christmas tree and it wouldn’t come out of first gear.

It was a very easy fix, but wow, it had me worried for a while.


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Well that right there tells me it probably isn't that.

Speaking with our newest member, Jake, today...He said he would look toward wiring, as in likely that bundle inside the pan. Even though I am low mileage at 105K, I have some years on all that business. He told me about replacing yours at one point in the bus transmission. Maybe I'll be in there next, dunno. I guess I'll just keep at it

And today it has not thrown any codes. It did have one flare shift under medium acceleration. I pulled the DTC's afterward and the cache was empty. That's weird, would have thought the sensors would have picked that up...

TCM is due in tomorrow

[TexasRedNeck]

We did replace it and there were some hardened wires.    It ultimately it was the C solenoid causing reverse and first to engage at the same time. Nothing intermittent about that. It was immediate and broke until we chased it down. Pressure switch manifold(the thing you replaced in the pan) and harness and then finally the solenoid.


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[Flyin6]

We did replace it and there were some hardened wires.    It ultimately it was the C solenoid causing reverse and first to engage at the same time. Nothing intermittent about that. It was immediate and broke until we chased it down. Pressure switch manifold(the thing you replaced in the pan) and harness and then finally the solenoid.


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Ya, I'm eyeballing that harness to be sure
Putting together my action plan.
TCM due in today
Cleaning of the wiring connections and coating with die-electric grease is the next step that I'll perform along with the TCM schneegans
If that does not do the trick, then the pan comes back off and the neutral position switch thing a-ma-jig along with some testing is next.
That requires me to pull the valve body
(Read: Transmission fluid shower)
If I have to go that far, am contemplating adding in a transgo kit

And as a BTW, Motor Ops sent me the files to flash the new TCM again, for free. Great people up there in Canada!

[TexasRedNeck]

Color me paranoid but I’m wondering if the TCM tuning contributes to TCM failure.  That’s why I never reinstalled mine.


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[Flyin6]

Color me paranoid but I’m wondering if the TCM tuning contributes to TCM failure.  That’s why I never reinstalled mine.


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I can't see how that is possible. TCM is solid state
Like saying watching the democratic presidential debates caused your tv to fail.
I haven't heard of any such thing...anyone out there?

[KensAuto]

There's plenty of cases of tuning causing a "bricked" computer, but that usually happens when flashing, not after running it problem free for awhile.

[rpar86]

I thought the LMLs didn’t need the TransGo because they were already built mo-better?

Edit: from the man himself

https://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/transmission-shop/274898-transgo-jr-lml.html#/topics/274898



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[Flyin6]

hmmm

Not like the democratic presidential candidates debate then...

[Bigdave_185]

I want to see what MikeL response is about the trans tuning.  He told me it would void his warranty on my truck


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[Flyin6]

OK, not my best wek for vehicles

Truck was supposed to be fixed today, but something interesting happened

And the Burb is still down, awaiting Black Bear to complete the tuning, but that will likely take a week or two longer...Whew!!!

So, I had a local gentleman come over to the house to flash the GM code into the TCM I just purchased. While he was updating his computer to enable him to reflash, the GM site where he was updating went down. I have to think it happened this way for a reason. He called, and GM said they just had a hard failure and couldn't give him a time when he would be able to download.

So that cooked our goose on being able to reflash today. During the ensuing conversation, he asked me all about my symptoms, and obviously knew quite a bit. He told me he had been doing this for many years and almost never was the TCM. He did say, that most of the time it was the wiring harness, and particularly, the internal wiring harness inside the pan. He suggested I replace that first ahd see if my ailments were cured, so that's what I'm going to do next.

I just ordered a new Allison harness which looks to be the right one. I shared pics of mine with a shop in Michigan and the trans guy there said, "Yep, we have the right one, which was sitting on his desk after he opened the box to inspect. Should be here this week, so the saga continues.

And my new book, "How to spend your summer when all your vehicles are broken down" should hit the shelves in time for Christmas! :-(

[dave945]

So what does that leave you driving Don?  The Jeep?  Or do you have some other nondescript vehicle you are afraid (I mean too cautious)to share details of?

Sorry to hear about the vehicle trouble. But when they are running right, all of their will seem like a bad dream(I hope)
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[rpar86]

It’s the ‘tuck... he’s probably rolling around on the lawn mower.


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