Any idea what's up with my transmission??

[Lips]

I have an '05 3500 with an automatic. Just recently (40K miles) my transmission started acting up sporadically. Every now and then, when you go to put it in drive, it takes a couple seconds to engange, and/or when it does engage, it kind of sputters in, almost like a transmission that's very low on fluid. It got to the point once where it wouldnt engage at all for about 30 seconds, but usually, it just takes too long to engage, and then it kind of chatters it's way into drive.



Dealer had it, but could not replicate the problem. They did check the bands/clutches and everything looked good. I have a smarty, but never take it off of level I, and I never tow more than 8K.



Any ideas?

 

[sag2]

The converter is draining down. I thought the drain back/bypass valve was in the cooler line, but looking at the parts catalog I don't see it listed. That leaves the valve body but I don't see it listed separate in there either. I'm far from a parts guy so I give up.

But regardless it is still draining back. Unless you try to take off hard when it does it there is no real problem that is going to hurt anything. Until you get it fixed if it feels sluggish when you throw it in gear, drop it into neutral for about 10 seconds and let the converter fill.

 

[WoodChuck]

Like sag2 said or just start it in Neutral and give it a few seconds before you drop it in gear.

You're still under warranty so you might get the dealer to replace the valve body or you could upgrade to a high performance one. Suncoast is one option of many.

 

[Lips]

Like sag2 said or just start it in Neutral and give it a few seconds before you drop it in gear.



You're still under warranty so you might get the dealer to replace the valve body or you could upgrade to a high performance one. Suncoast is one option of many.

As much as I'd love to upgrade to a better valve body, finances don't allow that right now. I guess my big problem is getting the dealer to diagnose it before my warranty expires. It's just one of those things that happens fairly consistently for me, but as soon as i take it to the dealer, it doesnt happen.

 

[EArp]

Mine has done the same thing yours does since it was brand new. Both of my dad's CTD's he's had have also done the same thing. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. It just takes the transmission a couple minutes to build pressure. The reason why you haven't been able to replicate at the dealership is probably because you've been driving the truck. Most of the time when this happens it will be in the morning first thing or when the truck has been sitting for an extended period of time. Just as was suggested earlier, if you start the truck and allow it to idle in neutral for a few seconds, that should fix your problem.

 

[cerberusiam]

The drain back valve is in the top cooler line under the driver side battery. Its probably leaking back while it sits.



You can fix the valve but they are a restriction and trash collector. If you want to fix something a shift kit would be a better investment and will address the no pump in park, or, one Sonnax valve will do the same thing.



Its hard to tell if it is actually a drain back problem or wear in the pump that causes this. Both issues can contribute to the same effect.

 

[WoodChuck]

As much as I'd love to upgrade to a better valve body, finances don't allow that right now. I guess my big problem is getting the dealer to diagnose it before my warranty expires. It's just one of those things that happens fairly consistently for me, but as soon as i take it to the dealer, it doesnt happen.

I'm not sure but I think there's a TSB on this problem. It happens to all of them eventually so they should be able to diagnose it easily.

It doesn't happen at the dealer 'cause the truck is warmed up and lubed up. My first gen would do it only after sitting overnight.

 

[WoodChuck]

The drain back valve is in the top cooler line under the driver side battery. Its probably leaking back while it sits.

You can fix the valve but they are a restriction and trash collector. If you want to fix something a shift kit would be a better investment and will address the no pump in park, or, one Sonnax valve will do the same thing.

Its hard to tell if it is actually a drain back problem or wear in the pump that causes this. Both issues can contribute to the same effect.

I'm pretty sure the valve body has a drainback valve too for the converter.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I did this...



Gutting the auto trans drainback valve on a third generation Dodge HD 4x4 generation Dodge HD 4x4 Install

 

[cerberusiam]

I'm pretty sure the valve body has a drainback valve too for the converter.

Nope, only in the cooler line.

 

[HOBrian]

It doesn't happen at the dealer 'cause the truck is warmed up and lubed up. My first gen would do it only after sitting overnight.

Bingo!



Lips, tell the dealer to let the truck sit overnight and try it in the morning.