89 GMC 1500 Tranny Question

I am looking at maybe purchasing an 89 1500 that has a transmission problem. The ad says after 10 minutes of driving the transmission downshifts to 1st and won't get out until the truck turns off but the motor is fine. It sounds like maybe limp mode to me. The price is right at a mere $700 and if it is a simple cheap fix then this truck will be the perfect replacement for my husband's crappy 99 Suburban that appears to be having PassLock problems and I'm sick of. Worst case scenario I do have an 88 K5 that can donate it's transmission, just have to drive a few hours to pull it out and hope it fits in the trunk of my car lol. I haven't contacted the poster of the ad yet because I don't currently have the money to buy it and I don't want to waste his/her time.

I just want to know if this is worth considering and keeping in my pocket for when we get the money and it is still available. It seems like one of those "too good to be true" cases.

Thanks in advance.

Whenever I see something for sale with a trans problem, I assume the worst and that it will need to be completely rebuilt. Then if its still worth buying, an easy fix is a good surprise.

Limp in mode is in the fully electronically controlled trannys. Being and 89 it would have a 700R4. The torque converter lock up is the only electronic component in a 700R4. No luck on a limp in issue.

Skylark beat me to it....

ccreddell said:

Skylark beat me to it....

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So abusive aren't I?

Most of the time....

RichLo said:

Whenever I see something for sale with a trans problem, I assume the worst and that it will need to be completely rebuilt. Then if its still worth buying, an easy fix is a good surprise.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the only reason I am considering it is because I do have a working Trans to put in there if it needs it. Well it was working when the engine last worked, which was a few years ago. But it is still all bolted up and hasn't been left open to the elements.

skylark said:

Limp in mode is in the fully electronically controlled trannys. Being and 89 it would have a 700R4. The torque converter lock up is the only electronic component in a 700R4. No luck on a limp in issue.

Click to expand...

Ahhh yeah, it's been so long since I had an older vehicle that was the in-between stage of being fully computerized. I knew it has the 700R4, but thought it had a bit more computerization. But I would rather little to no computer over all of the sensors, hence why I'm trying to replace the 99 with something older.

Ah well...I think a lot of us would like a truck with all the mod cons and the simplicity of a 1955 second-series Chevy Apache! Good luck on your search.

I ended up contacting the poster of the ad via text and email and he/she never responded back. Knew it was too good to be true. Oh well. Thanks anyways guys. Maybe I'll get my 88 K5 back instead.