Auto Hesitation on Cold Startup

[CJ Lagos]

Hey guys,



I've got a 98. 5 with the DTT TC & VB installed a few thousand miles ago. Recently I've noticed something wierd with the truck in the morinings. I start it up and I've really got to get on it to get the truck to move. Let's say I'm parked on a hill with the nose of the truck down, if I put it in Drive and take my foot off the brake, the truck will roll down the hill. To get it moving, i've really got to get the RPMS up there.



Another thing I've noticed is that sometimes if I start the truck too quickly and shift to Drive quickly, there is what seems like erratic throttle control. The truck kinda wants to buck and does it in spurts. This is usually with my trailer attached if that makes any difference. This is usually after the truck is warm. If I don't shift to drive so quickly it doesn't happen.



CJ

 

[MidwestMotorman]

Basic things...

First things first...

1. Check fluid level

2. Did a new filter go on at the same time?

3. Bands adjusted? (do the nwer trans have them?)

4. Maybe the trans is finally done for?

5. Erratic throttle might be the trans slipping, casuing the rpms to fluctuate.



For your sake, I hope the trans is a little low, causing it to suck a little air on the morning start (if parked at an angle). Be sure to check it correctly. Good luck.

 

[Cooker]

Check fluid?



If fluid is good it sounds like it could be TC drainback. It is always good to warm the truck up a little in neutral if it sits for a while. This get the fluid circulating a bit before you move.



-Ryan

 

[Runaway]

More than likely you're alittle low on fluid. Secondly you are experienceing the TC drainback. My old 99 auto did it all the time. Keeping the fluid at max helps prevent this. I believe with the modified VBs, these trannies are more prone to the drainback. But there are more knowledgable folks out there that will be chiming in here soon.

Good luck...

 

[ViperRacer]

I just did a DTT VB and TC on my 99 3500. I did it "first" before any power upgrades (I have a compbox and DDII's sitting in the garage waiting on my pyro gage to arrive). The transmission was "spottless" and I put in a new clutch pack to boot. I have the same issue... . first time in the day you put it in gear and just sits until you rev it up and it finally pulls away... . my fluid is full. I guess this is TC drainback... I don't like it much. On short trips, like lunch it takes off right away when I restart it. Seems to me there are always "surprises" with even the best aftermarket stuff... . maybe the factory ain't so incompentent after all.



Bill K???? any advice on this.

 

[WyoJim]

After market?

Viper, it is no necessarily an after market problem. We have two Cummins Auto's. The totaly stock one has a drain back problem and the other one does not.

In a post by Bill K. he explained that the transmission pump pumped a quart of fluid in 20 seconds and up to a 2 minute warm up in neutral would be helpful for the problem, besides it oils everything else in the transmission eliminating dry starts so to speak. So we just let ours idle in nuetral for a minute or so the first start each morning.

 

[Devildog]

I have DTT prducts and have no problems, you may want to call BILL K at DTT and ask him your question. Good luck.

 

[Joe G.]

This is just an extra no cost feature you get with a torqueflite transmission. My Dad's '63 Plymouth factory hot rod did the same thing. It's worse if you park with the nose up hill. Just let it run for a bit in N while you fasten your seat and whatever. Then put it in gear at idle. When it decides to go you are good for the day. No problem.