Transmission problem Ive noticed a transmission vibration when the trans. shifts from 1st to 2nd gear only . pulled a code P1811 max adapt long shift Im wondering what this is and does the trans. have to be removed the transmission to fix the problem

P1811....Long shift and maximum adaptation limit reached
It means that PCM have found long shift and the adaptation pressure is at maximum
Seal cut, clutch worn out. and so on overhaul trans.
check oil level first
hope it help

Have the transmission control module tested.

Sounds like your transmission is in limp mode. This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.

The other from what you described, trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the converter : ShiftA solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

Thank you for using fixya and have your Safari scanned for the DTC codes that would indicate what issues your transmission is having to put you in to limp mode.

Before guessing at transmission problems, check the fluid level (car warmed up, engine running in Park on level ground) and have the PCM scanned for trouble codes FIRST. This guide is meant for problems that do not show up as PCM codes (like shift A&B solenoid failures, for example).
Also note that many problems that show up as transmission issues are actually PCM or electrical, and may be external to the transmission. Try a different PCM, and check for chafing where the cables come out of the PCM.
What is "limp-home mode" ? This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.
No 1st or 4th available; trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the converter : ShiftA solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.
Trans shifts into gear harshly, car feels sluggish off the line, No 1st, 4th or TCC lockup available, Manual 2nd, 3rd and Reverse are only available gears, CEL is on: Transmision is either in limp-home mode or has lost electrical power. If there are lots of error codes in the PCM, check the underhood fuse that powers the transmission, and if it pops again, look for a short in that circuit like an O2 sensor harness touching exhaust. Otherwise, check PCM codes for a particular fault in the transmission causing the PCM to put it in limp-home mode.
Thank you for using fixya and good luck. Check all your fuses first to ensure it's not a simple as that before you take it to a transmission shop. Call around, most transmission shop will scan free of charge to inspect the condition of your transmission.

I have been hearing a possible solution for this problem is changing the oil filter in the trans oil pan. But ive been looking all over for a solutionand thats the only legit one ive found. It said when the oil gets clogged it doesnt flow to the transmission as nicely as normal therefore leading to lagging changes

This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.

Trans shifts into gear harshly, car feels sluggish off the line, No 1st, 4th or TCC lockup available, Manual 2nd, 3rd and Reverse are only available gears, CEL is on: Transmission is either in limp-home mode or has lost electrical power. If there are lots of error codes in the PCM, check the under hood fuse that powers the transmission, and if it pops again, look for a short in that circuit like an O2 sensor harness touching exhaust. Otherwise, check PCM codes for a particular fault in the transmission causing the PCM to put it in limp-home mode.

No 1st or 4th available; trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the converter : ShiftA solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

Car goes into gear but feels very sluggish like the brakes are dragging, but it will roll easily (starts out in 4th gear), you manually shift to 2 to get it moving, once it's moving you put it back in OD and the car shifts 3rd to 4th on its own and locks the converter at the appropriate time: ShiftB solenoid failed: Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

This is common problems to the transmission when the fluid is getting to dirty and the transmission fluid and filter needs to be replaced. The transmission fluid and filter should be replaced every 45,000 miles to ensure there is no dirt causing the shift servos from binding. The other thing to is that when the transmission fluid get's to dirty, the fluid gets thicker. It retains fluid retention which can cause conflicts in the transmission sensors. What your experiencing is, your transmission is not shifting back to first gear and sticking in to 2nd gear. When you get on the gas peddle, the transmission sensors realize that it needs to be in 1st gear, so as the engine's RPM goes up and the transmission drops back to 1st, you get the jerking condition which will in turn cause you a $2,300.00 transmission replacement. For now when starting off from a stop, let the engine creep forward on it's own first to ensure that the transmission has shifted in to 1st gear. Then get on the gas peddle lightly till you have the transmission serviced. $100.00 transmission service is better then $2,300.00 transmission replacement. Good luck and do not have a transmission fluid flush, just filter and fluid replacement.

• No 3rd or 4th gear: “3-4” clutches are worn out. R&R. The car is safe to drive (in 2) until you can get it fixed.
• Trans shifts into gear harshly, car feels sluggish off the line, No 1st, 4th or TCC lockup available, Manual 2nd, 3rd and Reverse are only available gears, CEL is on: Transmission is either in limp-home mode or has lost electrical power. If there are lots of error codes in the PCM, check the under hood fuse that powers the transmission, and if it pops again, look for a short in that circuit like an O2 sensor harness touching exhaust. Otherwise, check PCM codes for a particular fault in the transmission causing the PCM to put it in limp-home mode.
• No 1st or 4th available; trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the converter : Shift A solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

Check to see if your transmission is in the limp mode, which would only give you 2nd, 3rd and reverse gears. No 1st or 4th gear.

There are diagnostic tools that could help detect what your problem is. The Snap-On Modis, or preferably a "Tech-2" GM scanner. Any reputable transmission shop, or GM dealer should have at least one of the two. It sounds to me like it could be the transmissions "EPC" (Electronic Pressure Control solenoid) The EPC controls main line pressure, in an effort to keep shift firmness, and shift duration at one specific level. This is to compinsate for the natural wear a transmission encounters, and to keep emissions as low as possable, by keeping shift duration low. When the EPC malfunctions (and thats somthing that they like to do in the 4t65E), it typically starts to shift harder than normal. They typically throw a P1811 code. (P1811 is a "max adapt-long shift" code) And the malfunction can be intermittent. Hope this helps, and good luck.
Logan

transmission?