Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ATS Transmission: Shifting into gear stalls truck

[firefighter_2000]

I have an ATS stage 2 transmission with the 5 star converter. I've had this transmission for six months or so, and I really like almost everything about it. Only thing I DONT like, is when the truck/transmission is cool and I shift into Drive or Reverse, it will kill the engine. Is there any way this can be adjusted so that it won't do this or is it just the way it is. I can start the truck, put it in neutral, and pull the truck into drive and immediatly put it back into neutral 2-3 times and then it will finally go into gear and not kill the engine. I just want to be able to hop in the truck, start it up, pull it into gear, GO, and not worry about the truck stalling. Any ideas?

Thanks

Craig

 

[WILLD420]

I'd call ATS, if they won't help you, then start looking around. I don't know if you can adjust the idle speed or not. If you can, adjust it up a hair and see if that helps.

Just guessing, I'd say the stall speed is low enough to load the engine too much when the fluid is cold. If that's not it, then you have the classic problem a lot of the ATS transmissions had a few years back, where the t/c wasn't disengaging correctly. There used to be a lot of threads about this back a few years, but I thought they fixed their issue.

Hope you figure it out soon. That would drive me nuts.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Idle speed

I thought of adjusting the idle speed up, but it seems like every great once in a while... . Maybe one in 50 shifts, it will lock in and try to take off even with my foot on the brake. I really dont need that problem. I'd just like to be able to (even on a cold morning) get in the truck, pull it into gear and: a) not lock in and try to take off like a rocket, and b) not kill the engine.



I haven't tried calling ATS. After reading through some of the older posts and how many people were unhappy with ATS and some of their customer service, I decided to try here first. I bought the transmission second hand (had about 40k miles on it when I got it) and I still LOVE the way it shifts and pulls.



Thanks

Craig

 

[Sticks]

---> ATS <---

^^^^^^^^^^^



There's your problem.



99 24 valve is electronic controlled idle, other than wedging something in the throttle or TPS housing, you can't adjust the idle with out the Cummins InSite computer and program. I don't think the DRB III even has the capability.



You are most likely going to have to try your luck with ATS CS, and being second hand... ouch.

 

[HBarlow]

My advice would be to begin researching other well known transmission builders. There are several other popular builders who do good work and back up their products.

 

[macdaddy]

An aggressive stall speed brought on by your TC causes this. When the oil in the transmission is cooler it becomes more viscous making the engine work a little harder to get things going. My 99 did this.



Try starting the motor. Then move past reverse quickly as not to engage it to neutral. Now wait a few seconds to allow oil to flow through the valve body then select which gear your want, this is how I shifted mine with good results.



Youll also notice that when the oil is cold and the truck is in neutral she might want to move.



As far as the ATS customer service goes, I found Clint and his staff quiet helpful.



Mac

 

[firefighter_2000]

I found the trans through a fellow board member that was parting out a truck that had a cracked block. The price was right (less than half what new would cost and no core charge)... The timing was right since my stock trans with 240k miles was starting to slip pretty bad and not shift correctly most of the time. So I went with it. I still feel like I got a great deal and I'm happy with the transmission except this small issue. I've learned to deal with it for the most part, just annoying and a bit inconvenient. If it was fixed, I'd be 100% happy with it. Right now... I'm at about 95% satisfaction.

 

[cerberusiam]

Like macdaddy said, start it in neutral, or go to neutral immeditely after starting, and let the fluid circulate and warm and it should limit the problem.



Are you using ATF+4 or some other fluid? These transmissions are designed to run with a certain fluid viscosity and when it is changed the reactions change. Add in a built transmissions and expectations plus procedures need to adapt to new variables.



If that is the only thing that is not satisfactory with the trans you got a great deal.

 

[firefighter_2000]

ATF+4 is in the trans. Agreed. I still feel like I got a great deal on a great transmission. It's just one of those little annoyances.

 

[barryg41]

Got a question? I know the stock transmission does not flow oil through the transmission while in park, but does in neutral.



DTT trannies does flow oil through the transmission when in park, which does help heat up the oil.



Does the ATS transmission flow oil in park?

 

[macdaddy]

Got a question? I know the stock transmission does not flow oil through the transmission while in park, but does in neutral.



DTT trannies does flow oil through the transmission when in park, which does help heat up the oil.



Does the ATS transmission flow oil in park?

For some reason ATS says it flows through VB but mine did not. The easy way to verify this is to get the transmission good and hot. Then bring the truck to a stop. Now with the engine idling (and the brake set) go to reverse wait a second then to park and check the fluid level.



Now go to neutral and wait about 30 seconds. If the level drops (different from when it was in park) this will tell you the oil is flowing through the valve body in neutral, not in park.



Mac

 

[John - K5AWO]

My transmission is that way, but it is because I specially ordered a 97% non-slip TC from SunCoast.

Personally, I really like it. I think you need to readjust your habits and not be in such a hurry to go just because the engine has caught hold.

My truck sits several weeks in between trips. The transmission always drains down and it takes a while to get the oil flowing every where again. So, I just put it in neutral, then reverse, then neutral, then drive, and repeat until it is ready to go.

Sometimes, we get a bit in a hurry to go through life. Try enjoying the moment, reflect on where you are going to go, and watch out for that child on a skate board who is about to run right in front of you.

 

[fox]

Guys, it is flow thru the torque converter, not just the VB.

 

[AClayton]

My old ATS did that also... ..... and if you have bigger injectors, it is even worse. Absolutely nothing wrong with your transmission. You will eventually learn to bump the accelerator pedal slightly while you simultaneously engage drive on the transmission. I called ATS about this when I purchased mine and they said it was normal because the TC is so tight and has such a low stall speed.



I certainly hope you have better luck with your ATS than I did with mine. If this issue is all the problem you have, then consider yourself lucky!! Good luck!



Alan

 

[Regcabguy]

After sitting a couple days especially in cold weather,I always idled my DTT on the '98. 5 for thirty seconds or so in neutral. After that it was good to go. never stalled going into gear. Something's not Kosher. That's a safety concern. Stalled engine = no steering nor brakes.

 

[firefighter_2000]

My transmission is that way, but it is because I specially ordered a 97% non-slip TC from SunCoast.



Personally, I really like it. I think you need to readjust your habits and not be in such a hurry to go just because the engine has caught hold.



My truck sits several weeks in between trips. The transmission always drains down and it takes a while to get the oil flowing every where again. So, I just put it in neutral, then reverse, then neutral, then drive, and repeat until it is ready to go.



Sometimes, we get a bit in a hurry to go through life. Try enjoying the moment, reflect on where you are going to go, and watch out for that child on a skate board who is about to run right in front of you.

I've tried many different "habits" to try & get it to not stall each time I put it into gear. I've tried bumping the accellerator a bit to prevent it. Tried the neutral drive neutral reverse neutral drive, and just letting it idle in neutral for thirty seconds to a minute before going. A couple of mornings I've had to let the truck coast down the driveway and into the street before pulling into gear.



As far as sitting to reflect, thinking about where Im about to go, etc... . Another note; I volunteer with the local fire department here when Im off duty on my days off. Sometimes I dont have that moment to reflect and enjoy the moment!



Craig

 

[barryg41]

After sitting a couple days especially in cold weather,I always idled my DTT on the '98. 5 for thirty seconds or so in neutral. After that it was good to go. never stalled going into gear. Something's not Kosher. That's a safety concern. Stalled engine = no steering nor brakes.

Pretty much what I do. A couple of times I was moving the gear selector from park to reverse and the truck actually nudged forward, but quickly fell into reverse and started to move backwards.



Anybody had this happen before with your DTT transmission?

 

[BGoodale]

Hi Firefighter; I have the same problem with my ATS. The best way to eliminate the problem is to put the transmission in neutral after starting and let it idle for awhile. I'm not very happy with ATS because of their customer service ways but I think the transmission is okay. Because I live in colo I visited their shop in Arvada a year or so after I had them do the install. I finally was able to talk to the transmission shop foreman and told him my problems. I think his name is Bob and was very helpfull. There is a way to turn the pressure down but I did not follow thru. You might call ats ask for him. He might be able to help you. Good luck and let me know if I can help. Brett

 

[firefighter_2000]

Pressure reduction

I've read a bit on lowering line pressure but I'm not sure what doing so would actually do for the transmission. Anyone have any insight on the effects of lowering the pressure.

Thanks

Craig

 

[Rescue]

I don't have the ATS transmission but my truck has the same problem of stalling when cold. I also searched all the old forums on this issue but nothing works even letting it run in neutral for five minutes.



If I pull it into gear IMMEDIATELY after it starts and before the oil pressure comes up, the truck surges but will not stall. I know this is not good for the engine so that is not an option.



Here is a time line of events to date of what has happened:





August, 2009: Engine would not start. Towed to Folsom Lake Dodge, VP 44 fuel injection pump replaced.



August, 2009: After VP 44 replacement, engine would stall when going into Drive or Reverse (hot only).



August, 2009: Folsom Lake Dodge inspected, said it was the torque converter.



August 2009: Orangevale Diesel inspected, said it was the torque converter.



August, 2009: Advanced Transmission Options (ATO) rebuilt the transmission/installed DP torque converter.



January, 2010: Engine started stalling when going into Drive or Reverse (cold only).



October, 2010: ATO replaced valve body and torque converter, engine still stalled going into D or R (cold only).



November, 2010: Imler Diesel found two leaking injectors, installed six new injectors, engine still stalled D or R (cold only).



November, 2010: Replaced VP 44 by fuel pass valve, engine still stalled D or R (cold only).



November, 2010: Replaced Torque Converter Lockup Solenoid, engine still stalled D or R (cold only)



December, 2010: Imler Diesel R & R the DP converter and DP rebuilt it to stock stall speed, engine still stalled D or R (cold only).



Niether the transmission guys or the engine guys can find the problem.