Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Auto transmission Gone-What did I do?

[RobbyRam]

I changed transmission fluid today, made front and back band adjustments. Turned light throttle shift pressure up 1 1/4 turns clockwise per DTT directions for 100 RPM later shifts at light throttle.

Tested main line pressure- 75 psi at idle in drive. Went for test drive in traffic was perfect. Took on freeway, gave it full throttle, ran great.



I was close to home again at a stop light. Light turned green and it just revved up but didn't go. I thought I had put it in neutral, but it was in drive. It goes 10 mph at heavy throttle and feels like its shifing through the gears but 10 mph tops. My driveway is slanted so it barely went up the hill and goes backwards if I release the brakes.



We're suppose to go on our 10 day trailer towing vacation next

weekend. Did I just blow our vacation $$$$$??

I called Bill Kondolay at DTT but he doesn't answer.

Is there a good transmission guy near Sacramento that works on DTT modified trannys? HELP!!! Thanks in advance for any advice. Bob

 

[WyoJim]

Maybe you didn't get enough oil back in to it. And was it the correct oil... ATF+3

 

[RobbyRam]

ATF 3+ is at acceptab;e level- I put in 8 quarts total and it was at mid-mark on the dip stick.

 

[Brandon]

low atf fluid

 

[HVAC]

Only Eight Quarts?

Boy! I think Brandon is probably right. I don't have the volume memorized, but it's more then eight isn't it? I'm guessing you didn't drain the TC.



As you can imagine, trannys don't give up in one day. Something is fouled up RR.



Did you recheck it once you drove it? You need to run it through the gears, check it, run it through the gears again, check it.

 

[jlynn]

R U checking it in neutral?

 

[Oil Ape]

I had a similar experience and contacted a transmission shop thinking I'd be buying a whole new unit. It felt like I was in neutral especially on hills then I would feel in engage. They said to "CAREFULLY" check the ATF level in "Drive. " It still showed it within range and they told me to try adding an additional quart. What did I have to loose? I thought the transmission was toast! Ran great afterwards!!! I don't really trust the fill marks anymore on the dipstick.



My recommendations: Add one quart immediately. Take for spin to warm it up. Remember to take a couple quarts extra along for the ride just in case you need to add them on the road. Have someone you trust set parking brakes as well as hold down the break pedal and check in drive(wife may not be your best bet especially if you carry a good life insurance plan... . )

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Brandon

low atf fluid

I bet he is right

 

[JR2]

I just did my transmission service last week and it took alot more than 8 qts to fill it up. I think you are needing to put more like 10-12 in it. I had to use 17, but I drained the TC. My suggestion is to put as much in as you took out. It sounds alot like you are low on fluid.

 

[RobbyRam]

Thanks, first of all, for you replies.



I carefully measured that I drained 9 1/2 quarts, and that's what I put back. Valvoline ATF 3+. A few drops missed the pan but just a couple of teaspoons. The dipstick showed near the Max line after my test drive.



Should I put in another quart or is it toast?

Also, any DTT techs near Sacramento? I'm desperate!

Thanks, Bob

 

[WyoJim]

Put another quart in and see what it does. What have you got to lose.



I once had a Dodge motor home transmission serviced in Penna before a trip to AZ. At the first rest stop I noticed I left a track of oil on the pavement up to where I stopped. I looked under it and it was coming out between the transmission and the engine. They had the transmission too full. But it worked good so I kept on with my trip. Finally at Flagstaff AZ it quit leaking and was good ever after.

 

[TREEMAN]

Rob ,sorry to hear of your transmission woes,try calling Herb at Kustom Truck,he,s a DTT installer 530) 674-1376. Ibelieve he,s closed on Mondays though. Good Luck.

 

[Brandon]

Dont trip just let her run for 5 min and then check in neutral that'll tell ya whats up. .

 

[Snow man]

It should move fine being 1 quart low on oil,in addition,he drove it for awhile before it stopped moving. Even if you were low on fluid,you revving it up going 10mph probably toasted the forward clutches,so it more than likely has to come out now anyway. Id recheck the fluidl evel,if OK,put a pressure guage on the mainline,see if you have pressure,if you do you may have forward clutch failure,due to a bad seal. I do feel that either you did something wrong,or contaminated the fluid somehow,since this thing worked good before you took the pan off ,and adjusted the bands.

 

[RobbyRam]

I tried letting it idle then shifted through the gears. Now It will not even go 1 mph, forward or backward.



Bob

 

[HVAC]

RR, did you go about 1/4" on the bands? I believe I recall you want 1/4" free travel on those levers.



It sounds like you have a blockage which isn't allowing the fluid to flow through the transmission. I might find a place to pull a line loose to observe the flow rate. The return line from the cooler would be where I would check. You should have a good 50 psi and a solid stream of fluid. Use a good size container to blow it into. If you pull the rigid line off the transmission, use a section of hose to direct the fluid into the container.



A little story, a little bit funny, a little bit stupid, a little bit of a pi$$er! Guy gets magtec

pan installed, trannys not working right. Pulls the pan and finds the installation instructions in the bottom of the pan!!! The instructions had been floating on top of the oil and obstructing the oil pickup which naturally starved the transmission for fluid pressure



I'd also recommending contacting Herb at Kustom Truck. Problem is, how do you get your truck to Marysville?

 

[Ramboy]

RobbyRam,

Have you found out anything on this yet?

 

[inarush76]

trans

Saw where you had tested the pressure. Do this again and post the results. If you had toasted the forward clutches, it should still have reverse. If you have lost pressure, it could explain the problem. It could be that the pressure regulator valve is hung open, not allowing pressure to build. I have seen filters that are resrictive when new. How tight are the filter screws? E-mail me if I can help. Don't keep trying to drive it till some corrective action taken. If pressure test shows OK for brief moment and drops off, try adding fluid and retest. Some of the dipsticks are inaccurate and the fluid sticking to the tube will wipe onto the stick also giving a false reading. HTH



James

DTT dealer/installer/builder

near Dallas,TX

 

[RobbyRam]

Sorry I haven't posted for quite a while on my transmission failure. I had my rig towed($420) to J & H Performance Diesel in Redding, CA. back in August before my vacation for a DTT complete rebuild.

It's Nov 1st today and I must report that I can't wait each day to drop my gearshift into Drive. In first gear at idle I'm sure I could tow my 26' trailer, no problem, and with no trailer, at idle it goes 15 mph.

I get about . 5 mpg's more than before. I have no dyno numbers since the rebuild but I have 'seat-of-the-pants' that many more HP's are getting to the rear wheels.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by RobbyRam



In first gear at idle I'm sure I could tow my 26' trailer, no problem, and with no trailer, at idle it goes 15 mph.

.

Glad to hear you got it fixed the way you wanted. Just wondering, the brakes on my 2000 3500QC 4x4 were not the best part of the truck, (rear drumms). What does all of that additional HP/Torque transfer do for your stopping power?