Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Erratic Auto 2-3 shift

[pcarlson]

I have a problem with the transmission shifting 2-3 then right back then back again, and so on. This is when I am driving right at the shift point (city driving1700-1800rpm/27 mph) and it only does this when the truck/transmission gets warmed up. Cold shifts fine and highway shifts are fine.



I thought about the TV cable and checked the adjustment and all is well there. Checked the fluid and that seemed high, on a bone cold motor and transmission the fluid was over the max line in neutral. I'm thinking this was the max line when hot and it should read lower with cold fluid, i. e. the service manual shows a progression. When hot it was way high.



High fluid can cause erratic shifts just like low fluid and has anyone had a simular problem? Drained about a quart out and it seems to shift better or I couldn't repeat it after a test drive.

 

[Snow man]

Call Bill Kondolay tomorrow morning 1 866-504-4002 He will help you.

 

[jrandol]

Found this older thread and sounds exactly like the troubles I had. Have you got this repaired? I am wondering if it was the Transducer.

 

[Rockcrusher]

I thought mine was acting crazy too, but found out the '02 trany locks up in different gears and not just 3rd or 4th. Especially in town at low speeds. . 40 or so.

 

[dshawhan]

pcarlson

check all your ground cables. This may sound funny but my dad's 98 was doing the same thing and he checked all the cables and the plug in the cable on the accessory battery was slowly coming apart. He put it together and it shift like new. This was an easy and cheap fix for him considering the stealership wanted $2200 for the rebuild on the transmission. They had said it was going out. They just wanted his money. Just an idea to check. dshawhan

 

[pcarlson]

It has been two weeks since I drained the fluid (1 quart) and I did adjust the TV cable to factory specs as it turned out it was off. But I have had zero troubles since. The dealer over filled the transmission and miss adjusted the TV cable. You'd think the tech's would be able to get the simple things right.



I called Steve at BD to make sure I was thinking the right way and what I did, he said that the high fluid can cause weird shifts just like low fluid and the TV has to be adjusted correctly.

 

[Challenger-II]

Can someone explain more about the "TV Cable"?? I am not happy with the shifting on my '99 and maybe this is something I should check. I have the service manual... . is the procedure in it?



I hate the way this truck locks up too soon. It goes into 3rd gear lock up at 26mph and requires alot of pedal to kick it out. Same thing with 4th gear lockup but at 45mph. Would changing my tires to 285's screw up my shifting like this?



Any help would be appreciated.

 

[pcarlson]

Challenger,



The adjustment for the TV cable is in the Dodge service manual. Just adjust the cable connection to the throttle stud to where they center on one another.



The TV cable controls your throttle valve and the kickdown valve, what the throttle valve, kickdown valve and TV cable all do are in your service manual. It will also explain what every valve does in there for you as well.



Someone with a 99 can chime in, but I thought there was a TSB or reflash for your PCM that would fix your 3-4/Lock-up problems.

 

[Challenger-II]

Originally posted by pcarlson

Challenger,



Someone with a 99 can chime in, but I thought there was a TSB or reflash for your PCM that would fix your 3-4/Lock-up problems.

Bringing this back to the top..... I could really use some help on this. 3-4 lockup TSB??? How about it other '99 owners?

 

[Challenger-II]

Originally posted by pcarlson

Challenger,



Someone with a 99 can chime in, but I thought there was a TSB or reflash for your PCM that would fix your 3-4/Lock-up problems.

Bringing this back to the top..... I could really use some help on this. 3-4 lockup TSB??? How about it other '99 owners?

 

[Qualey]

My 99 is doing almost the exact same thing--can't decide between 3 and OD and no lockup at all. Cummins and an independant trans. shop got a code of TPS (throttle positioning switch). Fine, I try to order one and am told by dealer that there isn't one technically. The Cummins shop told me that in the most recent TDR there was a similar question to this, so I'm going to look it up, but does anybody know what ther deal is with the TPS? Also, they said my computer could be full of "faults" and needs to be cleared. We'll see.



p. s. I hate automatics



Matt

 

[pcarlson]

Try this site TSB's .



Also doing a search on hear you could read that people have removed and cleaned their APPS with a good electrical cleaner and that cleared up their problem. Try cleaning your APPS, battery disconnected, and then resetting it ( when done put the ignition to run, do not try to start, and slowly push the accelerator all the way down and slowly back up. This will reset it. Search for APPS cleaning, and resetting.

 

[Qualey]

Thank you for the link and other valuable info. We will try this as soon as the truck gets back in (more snow)



Matt

 

[Qualey]

My truck is doing exactly what 21-02-00 states, but was not built between the dates listed. Any suggestions (should I attempt to fix it myself, or is this supposed to be covered by Dodge)?



Matt

 

[Qualey]

Also. just got quoted at $409. 00 for a TPS from Dodge. Tech thinks this is one problem and perhaps I have a faulty torque converter that will not allow lockup. Does it make sense to dump $400. 00+ into a trans with 66k on it when I'm not sure its going to fix it? I really don't want to dump $3500 into a new trans unless absolutely necessary, but I suppose its cheaper than a new truck!



Matt

 

[Snow man]

Is there a local shop that can give you a second opinion? Id be willing to pay another diagnostic fee to find out for sure.

 

[Qualey]

Snowman

Thats what I'm doing tomorrow. This will actually be the fourth shop it goes to.



Cummins shop (Whom I trust and will buy from if necessary) found that there was a discrepancy between line and gov. pressure. Also, no attempt by converter to lock.



Trans shop TPS bad, no prob with line pressure, just not receiving the correct signal.



Dealer TPS and back converter



Tomorrow it is going back to Diesel Fuel Systems (Cummins shop) and we are going to drop the pan to se if there are particles blocking the valse body, then have their trans guy who is back from vacation drive it and see what he finds. I will proceed based on their recommendation. I believe it is Suncoast products that they sell. They have serviced the truck since I bought it and know what we use it for.



Thanks for all the help and I'll post a followup tomorrow



Matt

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Qualey,



Internal leaks inside the TC will cause it to not lock up. There is a real problem with leaks in a stock transmission. 30% drop in line pressure seems to be ok with the dealer. It is unacceptable. Call Bill Kondolay and www.dieseltrans.com and talk to him. There is no pressure there to buy anything. He will not sugar coat anything either. He just will tell you what needs to be corrected. I for one think $3500 is the best money you can spend on your truck. I wouldn't even put fuel in a stock trannied truck until I built the transmission. I am now looking at buying another 03 and it will go strait to DTT with less than 100 miles on it.



Greg

 

[Qualey]

Will do



Thank you Greg



Matt