47re downshifting issue

[BillBaker]

So I've got a 47re (Bd Diesel) transmission. It's been having issues ever since it was worked on about 6 months ago with those liable for removing it, working on it and reinstalling it holding NO liability. The issues are (I'll describe this as best I can)......

1. The transmission will downshift normally on a straight away while coasting to a stop or under braking coming to a stop.

2. I cannot make the transmission down-shift under throttle of the accelerator at any speed.

3.Will only downshift at 36 mph or less going up a hill.

4. The transmission will ride out whatever gear I'm in while going up a hill and even sometimes up-shift meanwhile feeling like it should be downshifting to
a lower gear which it does not do until I hit that 36 mph.

Note: Local trans shop says no codes, and want to tear into it to check out the valve body saying something could be sticking?.

*New stuff installed about 6 months ago-Clutches and steels, both bands, rear planetary, sun gear shell, thrust washer, solenoids/switches, front pump bushing, overdrive support, overdrive bearing, snap-ring, gaskets and seals, oil/filter*

Note: This transmission ran flawlessly as I said, transmission was being serviced for an oil and filter change and it was noted there was part or a snap ring and thrust washer in the pan (while running flawlessly). It was then I was referred to someone
who disassembled it and gave their recommendations.


Any thoughts, input, advice appreciated!...

 

[BillBaker]

THE FIX: (overheard between the transmission shop guys)

Me: What do you suggest?

Them: We want to take the valve body out and replace it, think there's something sticking in it.

Me: How much will that cost?

Them: About $400.

Overheard between the shop guys: Don't we have a 47re valve body laying around somewhere?

Me: Thanks...I'll go home and ponder this.

And here I am posting here, knowing a new valve body alone is more then $400 and they were talking amongst themselves about
throwing in one that's been laying around....SMH

 

[DVolk]

Call BD ask were another shop that can do the work ,are you sure you got a BD transmission got a some Crap transmission they had my guess you did .

 

[BillBaker]

Call BD ask were another shop that can do the work ,are you sure you got a BD transmission got a some Crap transmission they had my guess you did .

Spoke to Bd Diesel multiple times. This trans is over 10 yrs old and no info is in their archives. As far as who services their transmissions they have a list and there are 2 in my state, BUT both places say they don't (including a Thoroughbred Diesel shop). Yeah I have receipts from when it was installed, how much, etc. but that's not really important. This was a $4,500 trans over 10 yrs ago. Hope one of you transmission experts has a clue if not I'll be driving it out of state soon for diagnosis.

 

[BillBaker]

Ok so I've had a few people on the outside give me some input and it sounds possibly like a throttle valve issue. I found a place to take it. Will update when I know more over next few weeks.

 

[SSage]

Hopefully they put a new MOPAR TV cable on with a new transmission and adjusted it? If your TV cable is off it won't shift right. You should have a replaced one on there by now anyway, make sure its in proper adjustment. I think its pedal to the floor and adjust for a little give on the arm that connects the cable to the trans. I have replaced mine once when I couldn't get the OEM one to work right. I adjusted the original till its was way to long. The new cable from the dodge dealer fixed my issues.

 

[BillBaker]

Hopefully they put a new MOPAR TV cable on with a new transmission and adjusted it? If your TV cable is off it won't shift right. You should have a replaced one on there by now anyway, make sure its in proper adjustment. I think its pedal to the floor and adjust for a little give on the arm that connects the cable to the trans. I have replaced mine once when I couldn't get the OEM one to work right. I adjusted the original till its was way to long. The new cable from the dodge dealer fixed my issues.

Yes..put a new mopar tv cable on it. Guy who put it on said it was adjustable (which we know they all are) but when he put it on it was already maxed out towards firewall. I compared old cable with new and there was no difference at all. The only slight difference I've got is bending the lever at trans just a bit which did move my shift points up a little- beforehand was shifting 1-2 at 6 mph. Still can't make it downshift with throttle and won't on it's own until it hits 36 mph even going up a hill. I found a place who services these bd transmissions a few hours from my location if I get to the point that I need to take it there. I get 2 diagnostics from shops even though it's throwing no codes...valve body issue or throttle valve sticking. I'm not too familiar but still doing my homework on it.

 

[BigPapa]

The only slight difference I've got is bending the lever at trans just a bit.

You mean you bent the BRACKET, NOT the LEVER, correct?

 

[BillBaker]

You mean you bent the BRACKET, NOT the LEVER, correct?

Correction...yes the bracket. That the tv cable rides on to get more throttle pressure.

 

[SSage]

Well that stinks, I had trouble with my installer too.

I learned the hard way that I should have used a certified or approved installer. I used the guy were I lived to install a crate trans, ended up having to adjust it myself. Mine was a DTT, support from the company was very good, installer really sucked.


There should be no need to bend anything, the TV cable can be adjusted just perfect. Its a pain to push the release in, I think I use a small flat screw driver, its rough on the thumb. Old cables will stick and drag, so its good you have a new cable. I would verify the part number and make sure its routed good, no tight turns or pinch points.

Your best off having a diesel performance shop do the work IMO, regular transmission shops can be clueless for stock trucks. Make sure the shop you use is approved by BD as a service vendor. My shop was claiming to be a DTT full service center, I found out they were not. They are out of business now, I guess they screwed up too many installs.

 

[BillBaker]

Well that stinks, I had trouble with my installer too.

I learned the hard way that I should have used a certified or approved installer. I used the guy were I lived to install a crate trans, ended up having to adjust it myself. Mine was a DTT, support from the company was very good, installer really sucked.


There should be no need to bend anything, the TV cable can be adjusted just perfect. Its a pain to push the release in, I think I use a small flat screw driver, its rough on the thumb. Old cables will stick and drag, so its good you have a new cable. I would verify the part number and make sure its routed good, no tight turns or pinch points.

Your best off having a diesel performance shop do the work IMO, regular transmission shops can be clueless for stock trucks. Make sure the shop you use is approved by BD as a service vendor. My shop was claiming to be a DTT full service center, I found out they were not. They are out of business now, I guess they screwed up too many installs.

Yep I agree...This was the first and only time I went with a guy who I was referred too by a guy who did some axle work for me who does sled pulling. My truck was at his shop (a few hours away) and I went with his advice and he handed the transmission off to this other guy. Little did I know he was just doing trans work on the side and wasn't a legit place who would actually hold some liability. The place I found is actually listed under Bd transmission services so I hope I'm headed in the right direction as I spoke to them also.Finding out "after the fact" that my trans wasn't even flushed with both the trans guy and the guy who pulled it knowing there was shavings, snap ring parts, and thrust washer parts laying in the pan neither advised or suggested a flush. Could be chunks in there for all I know doing some mischief to the trans. Will get this resolved one way or the other!...I will post it when I find out what the issue is.

 

[BillBaker]

UPDATE

I had truck to a *3RD TRANSMISSION SHOP* with better results. Funny thing is all said the same thing "you need more throttle pressure". All places went right to the throttle valve cable and said needs to be adjusted. All places were told beforehand that cable was already maxed out (towards rear) and was brand new. Last shop who said same (need to adjust throttle valve cable) scratched their heads and said hmnnn. Did my own research and suggested they check line pressure and throttle pressure adjustment on the valve body. They did this and trans is better but not exactly normal as I would say. If anyone has followed this issue from the beginning they'd recall this trans was shifting fine with no issues (even after 160,000+ miles). It was noted when servicing that part of a snap ring and thrust washer was in the pan. Had a good mechanic refer a trans guy who took it apart and I went off his suggestions as to what should be replaced on trans. Got truck back and immediately noticed issues with it including shuttle shifting, too early upshifts, no downshift under throttle,etc.

So there remains a question... why did the valve body need adjustments to line pressure and throttle pressure after this? Everything was fine on the trans beforehand. After questioning a trans guy (not the one who worked on it) a got a response saying perhaps that they had to boost those pressures due to pump body clearance from metal fragments/shavings traveling through it. NOTE: I found out after the fact that the transmission was NOT flushed knowing that there were shavings/chunks/parts in the pan.

I will update as this is resolved, if it ever gets resolved. I get the feeling there may be a new trans in the future. Such a shame someone did botched work on a perfectly normal operating transmission that was $4,500 brand new and I was really hoping to salvage it since it performed so well for 11+ yrs and 160,000+ miles.

 

[BillBaker]

UPDATE

My suspicions of a worn out valve body after X amount of years and mileage was correct. Suspecting this I had a Goerend valve body built and with the help of Don Dillehay *suggested by Scott (aka BigPapa) * we dug into this trans, switched out the valve bod and a few other parts and trans is all better. Amazing 3 shops couldn't diagnose this and it took a dang year and X amount of $$ to resolve this... tsk, tsk...