Where are you in PA, Jim? If you're anywhere near me maybe I can swing by one afternoon or weekend and help troubleshoot.

 

Both power ports are hot and I pulled every fuse in both boxes and checked em all good using a ohm meter.
BTW I'm near Bloomsburg.

 

You're about 2 1/2 hours from me.. a bit much for a weekend excursion. If it isn't fuses, then it must be grounds.. maybe :-) Something funky going on, like a break in a wire somewhere.. I don't know. Did you try physically disconnecting the battery and letting it sit for a while? Just like rebooting a computer.. but I think more is happening. Sounds like a trip to a qualified mechanic might be in order - trying to diagnose over the net is very hard to do.

 

Didn't try a reboot by disconnecting the battery, I'll give that a try tomorrow.

 

The reboot by disconnecting the battery cable didn't help.
does anyone know how to check if the relays in the fuse box are installed correctly? The way the stabs are arranged on most relays they can be installed two different ways

 

The pins and holes should be labelled; 86, 85 etc.

 

To my knowledge of replays they can't installed wrong.

 

Take it to your parts house and they will check the codes for free. If their scanner does not connect, then check your hot and grounds in the OBD2 connector under the dash. I think pins 4&5 are ground and pin 16 is hot. Google you an image so you dont get it upside down. As far as the transmission not shifting into 4th, my first thought is a 3-4 shift solenoid inside the transmission.

 

Donbrew
thanks for the tip on the relays
The connecting stabs are arranged on a x pattern which allows for two different instulainsta configurations.

 

Auto zone code scan read: p0013, p0700, p0973, and p0014.
all related to the transmission or camshaft position.
thinking the next stop will be to a chevy dealer service shop for an evaluation.
Thanks to all for your help and input.