# 1990 Chevy G20 Van (5.7L V8) Automatic Transmission Issue **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 5, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007 "2019-08-05T00:37:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dfree2016\_147530](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dfree2016\_147530](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dfree2016_147530)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/1 "2019-08-05T00:37:25Z")
I have gotten transmission services every 30,000 miles since I’ve owned this van, with the last one back in March. All of a sudden, the van will not go into 3rd gear. It goes in reverse, first, and second. But when its ready to go into third, its like it goes into neutral; just reves up. Since I’m traveling/living in an unfamiliar area on temp assignment, I just brought a cheap car for now, but I want to get my van fixed. I’d assume if it goes in reverse, first and second, the transmission cannot be 100% shot? One guy said it may be as simple as a loose linkage or it needs a new shift cable. Any ideas? The parasites in this town I’m in just want to charge me $2,500 to replace the transmission (plus tow it in there) without coming to look at it. Since it can only go about 15 mph, I cannot drive it to a shop. Are there any possible repairs I could have a mobile mechanic do to get going again? Any ideas and potential costs for this? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/2 "2019-08-05T00:39:47Z")
How many miles on this transmission? Tester ---
**Author:** ![dfree2016\_147530](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dfree2016\_147530](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dfree2016_147530)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/3 "2019-08-05T00:42:49Z")
240,000 miles. I bought it with 150,000 and have had three transmission services since. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/4 "2019-08-05T00:44:55Z")
Is this the same van with the steering problems and mismatched tires ? If so it might time to let it go . ---
**Author:** ![dfree2016\_147530](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dfree2016\_147530](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dfree2016_147530)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 12:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/5 "2019-08-05T00:46:36Z")
That’s all repaired. Turned out to just be bad tires. Just looking for some advice here. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/6 "2019-08-05T00:47:53Z")
That’s not bad. But even if you maintain a vehicle, things are going to wear out. If you had never maintained the transmission fluid, the tranny would have failed long ago. Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/7 "2019-08-05T00:49:02Z")
It could be a faulty solenoid. Or it could be a band adjustment is required. Or you may need a replacement transmission. Or just a linkage needs adjustment. Hard to say without someone knowledgeable taking a look at the shifting linkages and measuring some transmission fluid pressures. Common sense says to start with a proper transmission service, drop the pan, replace the filter, and refill with fresh fluid. If that helps but doesn’t solve it entirely, drive for a couple hundred miles and try it again. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-chevy-g20-van-5-7l-v8-automatic-transmission-issue/146007/8 "2019-08-05T01:26:08Z")
I’m assuming you have no idea how well the transmission was maintained in those first 150k miles . . . ? It doesn’t matter, anyways . . . you did pretty well Some cars need a transmission overhaul before reaching 240K miles I know this may not help . . . but I suggest getting your car to a shop that will repair/overhaul your transmission, versus installing another one. Such a shop should be able to diagnose what the actual problem is, versus just telling you over the phone that it needs to be replaced You might want to ask around . . . there’s got to be a reputable independent transmission shop in the area that actually diagnoses and repairs, even if it’s the next town over. If you’re an auto club member, you undoubtedly have a few tows each year as part of the membership