Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) auto shudder on takeoff

[WadePatton]

Forgive me for posting before seaching (PBS), but I'm in a bit of a rush and am hoping that someone can help out here.



Mom's truck has a slight shudder when accelerating from a stop. It clears up and doesn't happen in any other gear. I haven't pushed it real hard.



It has 34k on it and tows occasionally. She's about to take a trip in it and I'm doing the oil service. No time to slap a Triple in it.



Is the TC going TU? Can she nurse it to FL and back? Do I need to drop the pan and swap juice?



Thanks.

 

[Pit Bull]

Is the transmission fluid low?

 

[WadePatton]

Hadn't gotten that far.

Posted while eating. Checked it:



It's on the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of the hashmarks in the "OK" zone.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Hadn't gotten that far.

Originally posted by WadePatton

Posted while eating. Checked it:



It's on the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of the hashmarks in the "OK" zone.

Did you check while it was running, and after it was warmed up, (15-20 mile drive) then you have to park on level ground. Put it in all the differnent gears then leave it in nutural and check it while it is still running. This will give you the only accurate reading of the level of the transmission fluid. If you knew this then I'm sorry I brought it up, but these Dodges are different animals

 

[WadePatton]

yeah

Plenty warm. 60 miles of driving. But I didn't run it through the gears. I will next time.



More info: Shudder is worse when warm, barely there when cold. First gear only. Shifts/pulls fine in other gears and OD lock-up normal. Could it be in the driveshaft?

 

[RPurdy]

sounds to me like a torque converter problem, surprising if the truck is used only occasionally to tow. Must be a heavy tow. Low ATF will give a different result, been there and done that. With low ATF the truck will set there like in neutral for a few seconds before enough fluid is sent to the TC and then you get to go.



The shudder usually happens when your getting underway and the transmission line pressure is still building up, which is also the pressure the TC is working with. Been trying to work these issues out myself>



Dick

 

[raiste]

Could it be axle-wrap?

 

[WadePatton]

With 34,000 getting groceries miles?!

We know that the transmission is the weak link but this is ridiculous.



The occasional tow consists of a horse or two in a light stock trailer-(at most six times annual), med-small loads of square bale hay(2-3x annual), and when I use it to pull a tractor-gross weight #8000 or less (3-4x). It won't be hauling tractors anymore 'cause I got my own truck now. Very seldom are any of these trips over 40 miles. Easily less than 1,500 towing miles on the clock.



Oh yeah, she's been paying the stealer to service it. Looks like good solid warranty foundation.



So, let the dealer fix transmission and then chuck a triple-lock into it?

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

Inspect the hanger bearing and rubber support.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: With 34,000 getting groceries miles?!

Originally posted by WadePatton





Oh yeah, she's been paying the stealer to service it. Looks like good solid warranty foundation.



So, let the dealer fix transmission and then chuck a triple-lock into it?

I think you have a good solution

 

[WadePatton]

Okay, I finally got aroung to cracking the Bible--er Manual.



According to it, if the slippage is in 1st in "D" and "2" positions but not in "1" position, then the Overrunning Clutch is Faulty--R&R.



Now to go check the truck (30 miles away).

 

[RBallard]

My 98 2500 360 Gasser shuddered on take off up to the 65,000 mark. AT 65,000 I traded it in on my 01 diesel and low and behold the 2nd owner had it back to the dealer within a week of buying for transmission failure. I never towed anymore than 2000 lbs.



I believe the pump went out.

 

[ARARAR]

Just a thought

When is the last time she had it serviced?

 

[WadePatton]

tomorrow

I'm jerking the pan off and doing the fluid/filter thing. I don't think it's been done before.



It turned out to NOT be the Overruning Clutch. Shudders just the same in "1" as anywhere else.



Checked the fluid again today (just got it back tonight) and did the "hit all gears" which was silly-I'd just backed into the driveway after a 40 mile run. Anyhoo--it was bubbly this time.







What's the warranty on the transmission?

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: tomorrow

Originally posted by WadePatton



-it was bubbly this time.







What's the warranty on the transmission?

It's 3 year 36 K mile



Don't worry about the bubbles, they all have some bubbles.