Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 98.5 2500 Auto - Up until 20MPH it acts like the Torque Converter isn't locked??

[EHammett]

I have tried searching and found many great articles but I haven't seen the problem I was looking for, I guess I don't know the proper search parameters and I'm also a newbie to this forum which I think is great.



I'm not sure when this started, this is my first diesel and the biggest thing I have pulled and first noticed the problem was this March pulling a 27. 5' camper. When I had to start on an incline I was turning 2000 RPM and it felt like i was just crawling, I'm not sure if this is how they are suppose to act or not since under normal circumstances I'm happy with the power.



Now, the real problem started today. I pulled into the store and left the truck running, when I came out I put it in reverse, backed out, and into drive. When I put it into drive I felt it kinda leap forward (almost like if you were still going in reverse and threw it into drive) and when I pulled out of the store it was like you were driving a manual transmission with the clutch barely engaged, and was chugging much worse than when I had the camper going uphill from a start and I was on level ground today. When I got to about 20MPH everything leveled out like normal. It has not quit.



Transmission fluid is full but needs replacing. I wanted to ask if this was the only problem or is there anything else I need to check into. Is my TC going bad?



I don't know much about automatics so I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could throw some ideas. Someone mentioned to flush the transmission system but I don't know what procedure and what to buy?

 

[Tom W]

Sounds like you might be starting in 2nd gear. If so this is probably caused by a defective governor pressure solonoid or sensor. These parts cost about $200 and are easily replaced when the tranmission pan is off. They bolt onto the valve body. Do a search on 2nd gear starts.



The torque convertor normally locks up above 45 mph.

 

[JoshPeters]

Sounds like a stock converter to me. They have a high stall speed for a diesel. They did this to help "save" the transmission because of the torque that the Cummins can/does produce. The peak torque of your truck is around 1600-1800. By stalling the converter higher than that, you are on the downslope of the torque curve, but on the upslope of the HP curve.



My recommendation would be to do a bit of saving, and check into the many good transmission companies found here on the TDR. Search for Goerends, DTT, ATS, and Suncoast.



You will be AMAIZED at the ammount of power that is lost in a stock converter.



Josh

 

[EHammett]

Going to drive the truck close to home and see if it will do it again today and see if starting with transmission in first changes anything, if so i guess I will be forking out $200 for a governor solenoid, I hope thats all that it is, will keep you guys up to date, thanks

 

[Fishin Guide]

Didn't sound like a second gear start to me. Sounded like the fluid was low.



Double check the fluid level and change that fluid if it's been abused.



Dave

 

[ox1]

Changing fluids in a dying transmission is like trying to plug a tire that left a gator back there on the road. There have been times when we had folks bring in dying trannys (back when I worked in a transmission shop) and we would drop the pan, tell them that it looks like toast. They would decide that they don't have the $ to fix it - so we button it back up and fill with fresh fluid. Vehicle may not even back off the hoist! The friction material was all worn off the plates and was running through the fluid. Once the fluid was changed - it wouldn't grip anymore. ... But that is an extreem case.



Either way - if it aint workin' right - a fluid change aint gunna fix'r.



From my experience - the "fix" for your truck to put a gear behind the rattler.