2000 Chevy Blazer Service Engine Light with P0753 code

A problem with engine performance will cause the transmission not to operate effectively.

P0753....Shift Solenoid 'A' Electrical could be a lost signal from an open/shorted wire/malfunctioning transmission control module and the shifting solenoid itself.

Have the throttle position and vehicle speed sensor tested-these sensors inputs signals to the computer indicating the throttle and governor pressures and in return the computer calculates to command the shifting solenoids to upshift/downshift/lock-up the transmission.

Thank you for the quick reply. I went to another Autozone and had them ran the code scanner on my Blazer. It was #2 ycylinder miss fire generic code - as the guy described. I am going to check the spark plug cables to make sure they are connected properly. I am not a car savvy person, but could that cause the gear shifting problem on high speed? or is that a different problem? I was recommended to change distributer since it has 133K miles. What would you suggest?
As always, any suggestion is highly appreciated.

A P0302 misfire-check the spark plug, fuel injector and compression on this particular cylinder

Thanks you. I will do that later today, BTY the Check engine light disappeared for a few hours and came back on and then disappeared again! I will check plugs and cables and will post my findings here.

Sorry, I did not get any time to do repair work and will be busy for a week or so. So I am taking it to a shop to replace intake minifold gaskets.

I took it to a shop and what they found was that the minifold gaskets were fine! The distributor and cap were in bad shape and had to be replaced. Unfortunately just to replace the gaskets cost me $500!! That was a bad diagnostics from Midas shop mechanic, I should have never took my car there. Obvoiusly I cannot trust them to do anywork on my car. This new repair shop I found really helped me with my anger since I was pretty pissed, the mechanic there was very helpful, honest, and professional. I am glad I found this shop. He also cleaned injets and now the car runs well, much much better. I still feel there are 2 issue left.

1) At idle speeds, the engine RPM should be 600-700. A few times it goes to 500 but jumps back up to 600 and I could feel a small engine knocking kinda behavior. May be cylinder missfire or something.

2) At highway speeds of about 60-65 MPH when I give a little gas to speed up, the car does not pickup the speed right away as it used to. It feels like gas is not going to the engine for a second then it picks up the speed. Mechanic said change fuel filter and see if that takes care of the problem, so that's what I will do.

I am posting these results so someone can make better decision and could benefit from my experience.

Thanks for coming back and the public awareness. You might want to have the idle air control valve, throttle position sensor checked to include if it has a electronically controllled transmission check the vehicle speed sensor for 1/2 problems

DTC P0753 1-2 Shift Solenoid Circuit Electrical (4.3L) Circuit Description The 1-2 shift solenoid (SS) valve controls the fluid flow acting on the 1-2 and 3-4 shift valves. The solenoid is a normally-open exhaust valve. With the 2-3 SS valve, the 1-2 SS valve allows four different shifting combinations. The solenoid attaches to the control valve body within the transmission. The 1-2 SS valve receives ignition voltage through circuit 1020. The vehicle control module (VCM) controls the solenoid by providing the ground path on circuit 1222. When the VCM detects a continuous open, short to ground or short to power in the 1-2 SS valve circuit, then DTC P0753 sets. DTC P0753 is a type A DTC. Conditions for Running the DTC The system voltage is 10-19 volts. The engine speed is greater than 450 RPM for 5 seconds. The engine is not in fuel cutoff. Conditions for Setting the DTC DTC P0753 sets if one of the following conditions occurs for 5 seconds: Condition 1 The VCM commands the solenoid ON and the voltage feedback remains high (B+). Condition 2 The VCM commands the solenoid OFF and the voltage feedback remains low (0 volts). Action Taken When the DTC Sets The VCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). The VCM commands D2 line pressure. The VCM inhibits 3-2 downshifts if the vehicle speed is greater than 48 km/h (30 mph). The VCM freezes shift adapts from being updated. The VCM records the operating conditions when the Conditions for Setting the DTC are met. The VCM stores this information as Freeze Frame and Failure Records. The VCM stores DTC P0753 in VCM history. Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC The VCM turns OFF the MIL during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test runs and passes. A scan tool can clear the MIL/DTC. The VCM clears the DTC from VCM history if the vehicle completes 40 warm-up cycles without an emission-related diagnostic fault occurring. The VCM cancels the DTC default actions when the fault no longer exists and/or the ignition switch is OFF long enough in order to power down the VCM. Diagnostic Aids Inspect the connectors at the VCM, the 1-2 SS valve and all other circuit connecting points for an intermittent condition. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems. Inspect the circuit wiring for an intermittent condition. Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents in Wiring Systems. Refer to the Shift Solenoid Valve State and Gear Ratio table. A faulty ignition switch may set this code. Test Description The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table. This step tests the function of the 1-2 SS valve and the automatic transmission (AT) wiring harness assembly. This step tests for power to the 1-2 SS valve from the ignition through the fuse. This step tests the ability of the VCM and of the wiring to control the ground circuit. This step measures the resistance of the AT wiring harness assembly and of the 1-2 SS valve. DTC P0753 1-2 Shift Solenoid Circuit -- Electrical (4.3L) Step Action Value(s) Yes No 1 Did you perform the Powertrain Diagnostic System Check? -- Go to Step 2 Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check (4.3L) in Engine Controls 2 Install a Scan Tool . Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Important: Before clearing the DTC, use the Scan Tool in order to record the Freeze Frame and Failure Records. Using the Clear Info function erases the Freeze Frame and Failure Records from the VCM. Record the DTC Freeze Frame and Failure Records. Clear the DTC. Are any of the following DTCs also set? • P0740 • P0758 • P0785 • P1860 -- Go to Step 3 Go to Step 4 3 Inspect the CLSTR fuse for an open. Refer to General Electrical Diagnosis Procedures in Wiring Systems. Is the fuse open? -- Go to Step 12 Go to Step 5 4 Use the Scan Tool in order to command the 1-2 SS valve ON and OFF three times while listening to the bottom of the transmission pan (a stethoscope may be necessary). Does the solenoid click when commanded? -- Go to Diagnostic Aids Go to Step 5 5 Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the AT inline 20-way connector (additional DTCs may set). Install the J 44152 jumper harness (20 pins) on the engine side of the AT inline 20-way connector. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Using the J 35616 connector test adapter kit, connect a test lamp from terminal E of the J 44152 to ground. Refer to Automatic Transmission Inline Harness Connector End View . Does the test lamp illuminate? -- Go to Step 6 Go to Step 15 6 Connect a test lamp between terminal E and terminal A of the J 44152 . Refer to Automatic Transmission Inline Harness Connector End View . Use the Scan Tool in order to command the 1-2 SS valve ON and OFF three times. Does the test lamp turn ON and OFF with each command? -- Go to Step 8 Go to Step 7 7 Is the test lamp always ON? -- Go to Step 16 Go to Step 17 8 Install the J 44152 on the transmission side of the AT inline 20-way connector. Using the J 39200 digital multimeter (DMM) and the J 35616 , measure the resistance between terminal A and terminal E of the J 44152 . Refer to Automatic Transmission Inline Harness Connector End View . Does the resistance measure within the specified range? 19-31 ohms Go to Step 9 Go to Step 10 9 Measure the resistance from terminal A to ground, and from terminal E to ground. Do both readings measure greater than the specified value? 250 K ohms Go to Diagnostic Aids Go to Step 11 10 Disconnect the AT wiring harness assembly from the 1-2 SS valve. Measure the resistance of the 1-2 SS valve. Does the resistance measure within the specified range? 19-31 ohms Go to Step 18 Go to Step 19 11 Disconnect the AT wiring harness assembly from the 1-2 SS valve. Measure the resistance from the component's terminals to ground. Do both readings measure greater than the specified value? 250 K ohms Go to Step 18 Go to Step 19 12 Important: The condition that affects this circuit may exist in other connecting branches of the circuit. Refer to Power Distribution Schematics in Wiring Systems for complete circuit distribution. Test the power feed circuit (CKT 1020) of the 1-2 SS valve for a short to ground between the IP fuse block and the AT inline 20-way connector. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? -- Go to Step 21 Go to Step 13 13 Important: The condition that affects this circuit may exist in other connecting branches of the circuit. Refer to Power Distribution Schematics in Wiring Systems for complete circuit distribution. Test the power feed circuit (CKT 839) of the 1-2 SS valve for a short to ground between the AT inline 20-way connector and the 1-2 SS valve. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems. Did you find a short to ground condition? -- Go to Step 18 Go to Step 14 14 Test each solenoid for a short to ground. Replace the faulty solenoid as necessary. Did you complete the replacement? -- Go to Step 21 -- 15 Important: The condition that affects this circuit may exist in other connecting branches of the circuit. Refer to Power Distribution Schematics in Wiring Systems for complete circuit distribution. Test the power feed circuit (CKT 1020) of the 1-2 SS valve for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? -- Go to Step 21 -- 16 Test the control circuit (CKT 1222) of the 1-2 SS valve for a short to ground between the VCM connector C2 and the AT inline 20-way connector. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? -- Go to Step 21 Go to Step 20 17 Test the control circuit (CKT 1222) of the 1-2 SS valve for an open or short to power between the VCM connector C2 and the AT inline 20-way connector. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? -- Go to Step 21 Go to Step 20 18 Replace the AT wiring harness assembly. Refer to Valve Body . Did you complete the replacement? -- Go to Step 21 -- 19 Replace the 1-2 SS valve. Refer to Valve Body . Did you complete the replacement? -- Go to Step 21 -- 20 Replace the VCM Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming (4.3L) in Engine Controls. Did you complete the replacement? -- Go to Step 21 -- 21 Perform the following procedure in order to verify the repair: Select DTC. Select Clear Info. Drive the vehicle in D4 and ensure that the following conditions are met: - The VCM commands the 1-2 SS valve ON and the voltage feedback drops to zero. - The VCM commands the 1-2 SS valve OFF and the voltage feedback increases to B+. - All conditions are met for 5 seconds. Select Specific DTC. Enter DTC P0753. Has the test run and passed? -- System OK Go to Step 1

hnazee01,  The knocking is probably caused by your timing being a little off. This is a spark knock.  On these engines, especialy when you remove and replace the distributer, you MUST use a scan tool to set the timing to + or - 2 degrees from T.D.C. on number one cylinder. Your distributer probably needed to be changed because the gear was worn out. This is common. When this happens the computer adjusts the timing to the maximum range. When a new distributer is installed, your computer cannot reset itself, it must be reset by a scan tool.   Your mechanic probably installed the distributer exactly back in the same position as the worn out one. This is usually the right thing to do, and it's an easy mistake to make also.      If your timing is even a little off, it will feel like the transmission is shifting at weird points and possibably even slipping. It also can feel that the engine is missing, so have the timing properly adjusted at a GM dealer with a proper scan tool.       BTW- if the engine is throwing a service soon light then no. 2 cylinder may still be missing. A sticking exaust valve is probably to blame for this because--the distributer gear was wearing out and the timing was getting later and later in the combustion cycle thus causing excessive carbon build up on the exaust valve and valve seat. When this happens the valve sticks or it does not close all the way and causes a miss..keep me posted and keep these respondses public for future learning.......

I appreciate all you guys helping me out with detail instructions and diagrams. I had some time off during holidays, so I dropped the car to GM dealer shop for a full diagnostic. I was told the dist rotor cap was not put correctly by previous mechanic, just like pear69 described it is an easy mistake to make. They adjusted that, and they mentioned something was of by -7 degrees, sorry I don't know what that is. After all that work, finally the car is runnign good for a week.

They adjusted that, and they mentioned something was of by -7 degrees, what this meant its 7degs off in ignition timing could be advance or retarded timing. Thanks for coming back letting us know the end of results. Have a great year.