Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ATS transmission low-gear shifting issue

[alaskax]

I love my new ATS transmission/converter, but in the week or so since I've had it, a wierd condition has happened about 6 times now:



After running the truck fairly hard (playing), and coming to a stop, and then taking off again, it does not want to shift from 1-2, or from 2-3. Only way to do it is to take it to about 3200 rpm and then letting off the pedal. It reluctantly goes in to 2nd. Same scenario to get it to go from 2nd to 3rd. However, once in 3rd, it shifts into OD like normal. The pattern seems to be that letting it sit a couple of hours does not change anything, but in EACH CASE everything is back to normal the next morning.



I have verified the throttle mechanism (sensor?) on the transmission itself is not sticking. Not even sure if it is the fault of the transmission or some electronic issue, but was hoping someone might have a reasonable idea/similar experience? Thanks!



John

 

[rraulston]

mine does the opposite. I shift 1-2-3 and am in 3rd by 20 mph. I hold 3 forever and shift to od normal. Wish i could hold each gear longer. No idea what to do but wear my hand out shifting with the gear select lever... RRR (dont try this at home, but when you go from 2 to drive with the lever and accidentally go through neutral and into reverse, thats an eye opener!!)

 

[LSMITH]

What did they tell you when you called? You did call them right?





RRR you can have your cake and eat it too, but only to a degree. It is a VB set up issue, and can be handled over the phone if you call your vendor.

 

[jwilliams3]

John,

Give ATS a call.

800 949 6002

Ask for Clint or Don.



--Justin

 

[alaskax]

Yes, I was planning on calling Clint first thing this morning anyway, which I did, and he seemed pretty sure it was going into failsafe mode, and all I needed to do was add a 100 ohm resistor to a wire he specified to reduce the exciter voltage. All excited, I did it as soon as I got home this evening. Alas, after running it again, it went into that mode again.



The ATS guys are very helpful, I just wish I wasn't 1100 miles away. I will need to continue to work it out with them. Thought I might shorten the process by learning from someone who had the same issue.



John

 

[LSMITH]

John, sorry your truck is not healed yet. Please bear in mind that helping with technical problems on auto trannies is slippery ground. There are some that will bash no matter what is said, and that is why it is hard to get help when in your situation.



Keep working with the guys at ATS, if you can think of any other info to add to your original post please do, there are some that will help regardless if they know how.



None of the "slippery ground" around auto trannies is your fault, and it should not impede your getting help. I will apologize for all those TDR members with some common sense when I say I am sorry that the auto transmission thing is totally out of control, and that is why you are not getting much help from the membership. It should not be that way but we are outnumbered, the situation is hopeless. Sorry again.

 

[TnLRacing]

Trans Problem

Sounds Like something is Sticking in your TV circuit. This is what the Kick down rod is connected to. One Reason that OD functions normally is it is controlled electronically rather than mechanically like 1-3. One cause of this problem can possibly be an improperly or inadequately flushed cooler. One bit of info That maybe helpful in the diagnosis is what was your original trans failure?

 

[alaskax]

LSmith,

Thanks for the tidbits… I’m the kind of person that does not understand how one gets too “attached” to their particular brand(s) etc. What’s wrong with a little diversity to keep things interesting? I guess we can get our identity (ego) mixed up with this stuff, but the way I look at it is it’s just a matter of shelling out $bucks$, and we really don’t have much to do with it except hope that our purchase was a reasonably good one and that we don’t screw up anything that WE put in!! :{



TnLRacing,

I assume that the TV circuit means the linkage from the throttle to the transmission? I verified right away that THAT was not sticking, which I reported to Clint. However, it seems reasonable that this could be the trouble area. I understand that 1-2-3 is mechanical AND electronic, but OD is primarily the TPS. There’s certainly some details there that I don’t understand. Also, it ONLY happens after using some power, although the transmission never gets over 180 F. If I just leisurely cruise along, it doesn’t happen. In any case, the next morning everything works great again.



I’ll call Clint tomorrow again to see what he says since the resistor fix didn’t seem to work. Perhaps it’s a different color wire on my year truck! I appreciate your help!

 

[rraulston]

lsmith, i am going to call them soon. (ATS) I am quite happy with it all however. Just need to change shift points. Saw some kind of box that can controll shifts by speed or RPM. . . Things that make you go HHHHMMMMM... ... ... ... ... . RRR