Auto transmission Shift Problems

[Dell (WA)]

Guys... ..... first time post, I checked the archives and didn't see anything relating to my problem. So here goes..... 1995 3/4T 2WD, 130Kmiles, no bombs, just started in last 3K and cold weather, I do use the blockheaters.



transmission doesn't want to upshift 3-4 until gone about 10 miles without hitting 2200 rpms, and when it does finally upshift, its a soft upshift. Problem kinda goes away after end of 30 mile run to town. transmission fluid check in neutral is kinda hard to really read because of all the little airbubbles in it. Last dealer transmission service per schedule, I complained about soft shift but "could not verfiy".



I'm not a vehicle abuser as I got 100K miles from my OEM Goodyears and am on my 3rd set of front brake pucks. Right now, except for my '52 Ford 8N tractor, my Dodge is my only running vehicle at my Rocky Ridge Sheep Station at the foot of 14K Mt. Rainier, south of Tacoma and I don't really want to tie it up with long and expensive service on SS income if I can help it. I'm not afraid of wrenching out in the gravel driveway, but its the livin' out innna the country, and the go get the forgotten part thats gonna bother me.



Any advice, comments, observations, recommendations will be greatly appricated. Is this something I can tackle? Best left to a dealer? Speciality transmission outfit? And I'll sell blood before I AAMCO... ... ... . Dell (WA)

 

[RedRamer]

Seems I read soemwhere. . Isn't there something about cold trannies not going into OD or Lockup till they warm up?

 

[illflem]

Your trans shouldn't shift into OD until the trans fluid reaches 80F. It usually takes mine 4-5 miles in 30° weather. It may take you longer if you're coasting down the side of Mt Rainer. You can check it by jumping a 50¢ Radio Shack 700 ohm resistor across the sensor wires. This will trick it into thinking the fluid is 80°. See if this makes a difference then replace the sensor if it does.

 

[Joe G.]

Dell,



It's probably working correctly. Just cold. If it does that after the weather warms up you might want to get your pressures checked.

 

[FParisi]

Ditto what they said. This is normal operation. I believe it is 65degrees before it will shift 3-OD then 70 degrees for the OD lock-up.

The little bubbles do not sound normal - too much or to little fluid I'm not sure which.

Sounds like a pretty place you're at!

Frank

 

[Joe G.]

Dell,



You are not too far from the best transmission shop there is. It's in BC. Diesel Transmission Technology at http://www.dieseltrans.com/DTTech/index.sht

Their phone number is 1-800-922-7782.



The bubbles in the ATF may be an indication of too much. These transmissions are kind of a bear to get the right about of ATF. When I service mine I measure how much I drained out and put that much back in. Saves a lot of hassle.

 

[Dell (WA)]

Thanks guys... ... ..... was really worrying about all the little tiny bubbles, (dang, that sounds like a song title) Almost like some high pressure squirt somewhere that shouldn't be. I just may be makin' a trip... ... ... . Dell (WA)

 

[inarush76]

bubbles

check fluid warm in neutral, level ground, sounds like could be low on fluid, especially following a service. Look at both sides of stick when checking and go by lower side reading. The sticks in these trucks tend to wipe fluid as they are run down the tube. A trip to DTT may be in your future, but driving low on fluid will assure it.



James