Very rough transmission shifting resulting in P0700 code. How do I diagnose/fix

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Car was operating fine. I started to notice it slip slightly when transmission would shift in lower gears (felt like between 2 and 3) but then felt fine in higher gears. Then, while at a constant speed, transmission started erratically shifting/revving with a loss in torque followed by a P0700 code thrown and the car going into limp mode. This all occured over the course of 5 minutes. Limped home in (what I believe was) 3rd gear...car would not shift out of this gear and wouldn't go into manual mode. Cleared the code, it did not immediately return. Was then able to switch to manual and drive the rest of the way home. While in manual mode the transmission shifted cleanly and on demand both up and down (I didn't get it/try to get it past 4th gear) with no issues leading me to believe the transmission itself is OK and suspecting an electrical or sensor issue instead. Where should I look??

What makes this problem better or worse?

Unknown

How long has your 2016 Chevrolet Suburban had this problem?

Today

Visitor

in Virginia Beach VA

Mar 20, 2024

1 Reply

Popular Answer

Bo Faderon Jun 28, 2024

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! It sounds like your Suburban's transmission had a bit of a meltdown with that P0700 code. That code is like the transmission saying, "Hey, something's up!" but not giving specifics. The fact that it shifted cleanly in manual mode suggests the issue might be electrical or sensor-related, not a full-on mechanical problem. First, check the transmission fluid level and condition—low or dirty fluid can mess things up. If that looks good, it’s time to check the transmission control module (TCM) and related wiring. Sometimes, a loose connection or faulty sensor can cause erratic shifting. Clearing the code might give you a temporary fix, but if it comes back, you’ll want to get a detailed scan for more specific transmission codes. Keep an eye on it, and if it keeps acting up, it might be time for a mechanic to dig deeper. Let's get your Suburban shifting smoothly again! If you have any other questions, please call us at 877-913-1554! We'll gladly find you a certified RepairPal shop in your area!

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