changed trans fluid, now shifts are weird

[dcherill]

I recently changed the fluid in my 48re with ATF4+. now that it has fresh juice, I find it is hunting more, shifting harder and sometimes will not shift quick enough to the next gear. sometimes between 2nd and 3rd in this one particular section in my neighborhood, it sort of neutrals out like it wants to shift but can't. it is pretty intermittent too. the truck has 83k on it, and I got it with 59k last june, and this is the first time I have changed the fluid in it, so I was pretty used to how it drives. I also haven't adjusted the bands, do you think this could be the problem?



also, when hitting OD empty, it seems like the converter locks up immediately, is this normal? the only time I ever really see OD without the converter locked up is when I am loaded pretty heavily



hope you all can figure this one out.

 

[Bodie]

How did you change out the fluid? Did you have it flushed with a machine, or did you drop the pan, and refill? Either way there is a chance some gunk got stirred up and is clogging the solenoids in the transmission. They have a very fine screen around them, and if they get clogged it wont flow as well, and shift spiratically.

 

[dcherill]

How did you change out the fluid? Did you have it flushed with a machine, or did you drop the pan, and refill? Either way there is a chance some gunk got stirred up and is clogging the solenoids in the transmission. They have a very fine screen around them, and if they get clogged it wont flow as well, and shift spiratically.

dropped the pan, and re-filled through dip stick hose. are the screens accessable with the pan off?

 

[Bodie]

The screens are on the soleinoids themselves. When you drop the fluid out of the pan it leaves a good 6 quarts of old fluid in the converter and lines. The best way to get it all out is to have it flushed with a transmission flush machine. The machine cleans out ALL of the old fluid. Check your local shops or dealers, and they should have the machine. Most run a cleaner through as they flush, then use a conditioner after the cycle is done. After the flush change your filter also. We charged about $70 to do the flush..... so I hear it was cheaper than most though.