"What are the common problems with the 1989 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 4x4 transmission?"

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The '89 S-10 Blazer 4×4 with the 4.3 V6 uses the GM 700R4 automatic, and the ones that haven't been rebuilt usually suffer from a handful of well-known headaches:

1. 3-4 clutch pack burns up – you'll feel a flare/slip when it tries to grab overdrive and eventually lose 4th gear entirely.
2. Overheating – the stock cooler is small, so fluid temps climb, cooking seals and clutches on long pulls or in traffic.
3. Throttle-valve (TV) cable mis-adjustment – if it's off even a hair, shifts get mushy or harsh and the clutches fry fast.
4. Governor valve sticks – causes erratic or missing 1-2 or 2-3 shifts, especially when cold.
5. Torque-converter clutch fails – you may get shudder on light throttle or a check-engine light.

Good news: the truck you're looking at already had a full rebuild (about $8 k worth of work), so those weak points should have been upgraded with fresh 3-4 clutches, a bigger cooler and the TV cable set correctly. If it shifts crisply and the fluid stays cool, you're in great shape.

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1989 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 4x4

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