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Chevrolet Express
Platform: GMT Van

shifted to reverse, engine cut out

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Old Mar 4, 2026 | 4:13 AM
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Uncle Wick's Avatar
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Default shifted to reverse, engine cut out

2004 Chevy Express 2500 4.8L under 88,000 miles

I don't know if it has the 4L60E or the 4L80E, but the transmission VIN is GG25V.


I have an exhaust leak at the manifold on both sides of the motor. There are a couple of broken bolt heads, so I have put off fixing them until the weather warms up a bit. I tell you this in case it has an impact on the issue at hand.

This problem just started. It has been quite cold, so I have let the van sit parked for a week or so.

Saturday, my son broke down, so I drove out to help. When I got there (an hour away), I shifted into reverse to back in, and the engine cut out. Restarted the van, shifted to reverse, engine cut out. Restarted the van, shifted to drive, engine cut out. Fluid levels are all good. The transmission fluid does not smell burnt and still looks good. Van was not overheating when I got there. I let it sit for an hour and was able to drive it home. When I got here, it seemed to want to cut out when shifting to another gear, like reverse.

All I can think is either the Computer is overheating because of the exhaust leaks, or the lock-up solenoid suddenly went bad without warning. Can anyone offer advice, please?

Normally, I would just throw parts at something like this until it's fixed, but things are rough ATM and I cannot afford to do that now.

Thank you for looking.
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Old Mar 4, 2026 | 3:47 PM
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Do you have a scan tool? A cheap one and the Torque App would do. Any codes or pending codes? What are your fuel trims? Any misfires? Exhaust manifold gaskets and bolts are cheap. I'd start with what you know for sure is wrong and get some scan tool data before and after to see if there is something else going on.
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Old Mar 4, 2026 | 3:52 PM
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I just picked up one of these that looks like it can pull lots of stuff including transmission. I also have a cheap one with torque app that was $25 way back when.
Amazon Amazon
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Old Mar 4, 2026 | 5:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Triaged
Do you have a scan tool? A cheap one and the Torque App would do. Any codes or pending codes? What are your fuel trims? Any misfires? Exhaust manifold gaskets and bolts are cheap. I'd start with what you know for sure is wrong and get some scan tool data before and after to see if there is something else going on.
p0218 and p0741
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Old Mar 4, 2026 | 6:13 PM
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Is it just a code reader? You don't have fuel trim?
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Old Mar 4, 2026 | 6:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Uncle Wick
p0218 and p0741
So lockup converter issues. That would make sense if it's stuck engaged. I haven't had a modern transmission apart to know where the lockup stuff is.
https://charm.li/Chevrolet/2005/Expr...ch%20Solenoid/

https://charm.li/Chevrolet/2005/Expr...0Charts/P0741/

Last edited by Triaged; Mar 4, 2026 at 8:35 PM.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 3:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Triaged
So lockup converter issues. That would make sense if it's stuck engaged. I haven't had a modern transmission apart to know where the lockup stuff is.
https://charm.li/Chevrolet/2005/Expr...ch%20Solenoid/

https://charm.li/Chevrolet/2005/Expr...0Charts/P0741/
I have replaced a few so not in the fear seat. I was hoping for an overheating EPROM or something easy/cheaper to fix. Oh well, Napa will be delivering parts Friday and I will get to work over the weekend. Thank you for your help.
BTW, If you need, I can pull live data from the scan tool and let you know about the fuel trims and such tomorrow. I wasn't home and pulled the codes from memory to reply and keep the information flow going.

Thank you for your time.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 9:23 PM
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With this codes it does look likely that it's "just" a transmission problem and not the engine stalling out.
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