Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Driving a truck with a transmission issue

[Blue Coyote]

This site has been a great resource in my quest for a CTD truck. After much research here I am making a deal on a 97 3500 4x4. The truck has a transmission issue during the test drive - starting off in 3rd, erratic OD and TC lock up - and all the symptoms indicate the goveror transducer and maybe the TPS (did lots of reading on here) . It never seemed to slip but just did not shift in a predictible pattern. I made a deal on the truck taking into consideration the issues and it needing a transmission.



My question is this - would it be safe to drive it home over 120 miles by manualy shifting it and watching the gauges / controls? (It does have an GT, Trans temp, boost gauge pod set up).

 

[tp0d]

First, Welcome to the TDR! Glad to have ya!



Possible you have a governer pressure sensor problem, may be plugged or failed. What does the transmission fluid look and smell like? Nice and red, not burnt smelling?



Another good thing to check would be the transmission temp sensor. . That can cause a limp-mode situation, where it sticks in 3rd. Check the passenger side of the transmission for a two wire connection, and be sure it has good contact surfaces. Might want to scratch the connections a bit and hit em with a little bit of WD40 for a temp fix. I would recommend TV tuner cleaner for a long term fix tho.



If you have a reputable transmission guy anywhere close, it might be a good idea to take it in for a quick checkup via computer, and a couple quick parts changes, along with new fluid and filter, might clear it up. . The TPS is a different animal, too expensive to just change out, and tough to clean (and keep it running well). . Dont just throw a new transmission in without checking yours out, might not be as bad as you expect.



As for driving 100 some miles home, if the miles are mostly highway and not stop-go traffic, you should be ok... Lots of stop-go could be a bad thing.



Good luck



-j

 

[champspa]

take the battery connections of an clear all the codes it may just go back to shifting correctly again . It will start of in 3rd if certain codes are set in the computer. mine set a 45 and two 37's by using the modified mystery switch and stopped shifting into first and second unless manually pulled into first , then instead of first it was in second . had my transmission man check it out but he told me on the phone it would do this if codes are set, cleared codes all was well.

 

[Blue Coyote]

Thanks for the info guys.

Made a deal on the truck and picked it up Friday nite. Checked the fluid level (good) and disconnected / reconnected the batterys to clear the codes. Still got a code 37. Shifted it manually all the way home (mostly hiway).

It will go into OD but takes a few seconds, and the torque converter does lock up - also takes a few seconds.

Going to put the scan tool on it Monday nite, check the line pressure, ect before I change anything out.