In & Out of Lockup Hunting

[gwdouglas]

I need some input from you guys who have to deal with the lockup hunting problems that have shown up in our transmissions. First, a little back ground:

I carry a large Lance camper so that I am running at about 11,000 pounds.

At around 33,000 miles while on a trip out West this in & out of lockup hunting started - both in and out of overdrive.

I made it back to my local Dodge dealer and he re-flashed the computer and that seemed to fixed it.

Upon the advice of the TDR membership I had a TFOD shift kit installed and about a week later the hunting began again.

Another visit to the dealer resulted in a new TPS, new valve body, & a new T/C.
Problem fixed once again.

By now I am paronid and uneasy about taking the truck and camper on planned trips out to the Rockies. So, I had a Sun Coast T/C and shift kit installed and all is well - for about a month. Now the hunting has started up again.

The dealer is testy about all the mods and doubts that his technicians can tell anything about it although he has agreed to try.

Does anyone out there have a clue as to what may be going on???

 

[Fireman Dave]

I just talked to my dealer about this today. I have this sometimes when at light throttle at 35 or 45 mph. It doesn't seem to happen all the time. He said they are aware of this and they can reflash the computer, but I got the impression he is still waiting for a more up to date fix. We decided to let it ride for awhile, but I'll probably take it in in a few weeks. It's not really a problem right now. I just want to make sure nothing gets damaged if it isn't addressed in time. My dealer is great to work with, so I know he'll take care of me. I imagine you're past this point. My truck is totally stock, by the way.

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

[Mopar-muscle]

Originally posted by George25:
Does anyone out there have a clue as to what may be going on???

let me guess , the suncoast convertor ($1100 ??) came with yet another TFOD trans go kit ? the first didn't work for you , the second is doing the same as the first . for what you spent on the suncoast you could have gotten a PROPERLY setup valvebody and a much better convertor design from DTT . sorry , but i have heard to many people unhappy with the final results they have gotten with the trans go kit , yes there are many that are happy , but it seems to be a hit or miss .

do you have an exhaust brake ? if not may i ask your reasoning for getting the suncoast , alot of extra weight you don't really need hanging off you crankshaft .

 

[gwdouglas]

Mopar-Muscle:

Thanks for your reply. Yes I do have an exhaust brake and that was the prime reason for the Sun Coast T/C. The other reason is that they are near where I live. Plus, I read several postings here that seemed to indicate satisfied users. So, that is a done deal. Could I have done better?? Perhaps. But this is where I am now and I have to go from here.

I have discussed this with several transmission shops and the consenus is that I have an electronic problem rather than an internal transmission problem. The Trans-go kit may, in fact, be the problem since one of its functions is to increace the line pressures. This, in turn, may be causing a signal to the computer that it cannot deal with. Or, then again, maybe not. Others do not seem to have had this problem - or at least I have not read about it.

My problem now is what to do about it. My local Dodge service manager has agreed (reluctantly) to look at the situation on Monday.

 

[gwdouglas]

Mopar-Muscle:

Thanks for your reply. Yes I do have an exhaust brake and that was the prime reason for the Sun Coast T/C. The other reason is that they are near where I live. Plus, I read several postings here that seemed to indicate satisfied users. So, that is a done deal. Could I have done better?? Perhaps. But this is where I am now and I have to go from here.

I have discussed this with several transmission shops and the consenus is that I have an electronic problem rather than an internal transmission problem. The Trans-go kit may, in fact, be the problem since one of its functions is to increace the line pressures. This, in turn, may be causing a signal to the computer that it cannot deal with. Or, then again, maybe not. Others do not seem to have had this problem - or at least I have not read about it.

My problem now is what to do about it. My local Dodge service manager has agreed (reluctantly) to look at the situation on Monday.

 

[TORQUED]

I have the same problem. The flash didn't help me either. It seems to happen mare often when it's COLD out.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

george , did you add a resistor in the line that reads trans pressure ? any idea what your trans pressure is .

i myself feel there is a myth associated with e brakes and the billet cover convertors , the billet cover is masking the real problem that is warping the covers , the heat generated by the lockup clutch engaging , that large rpm drop is creating alot of heat as the clutch slips some till it gets it grip .

hope your dealer can fix your problem , i talked to my dealer when i bought mine and told him i was upgrading my trans and he told me fine , but don't bring it in with a trans related problem , it's my problem . at least yours is willing to help .

what year is your truck ? maybe a TPS problem ?

 

[gwdouglas]

Thanks to all you who replied. My truck is a 99 3500.

I just returned from a 30 mile trip and guess what -- the transmission preformed perfectly. Go figure.

I don't for a minute think that it fixed itself. It is now looking like an on again- off again kind of thing.

I talked to the folks at Suncoast an hour ago and they say they will be able to trace the problem if my dealer can't (or won't). Of course they won't be able to trace anything if it is not "doing its thing".

If I ever find out what is going on I'll post it here.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

george , couple of thoughts , are you confusing a hunting of lockup with a shudder ? in and out of lockup is a big rpm change .

do you have a pressure lok ? this could be part of the problem , you need to fool the trans into thinking it has more pressure , since you elected to go with a shift kit your only choice is to add a pressure lock . i know someone with a slightly used one . he just removed it and will be installing a valvebody that doesn't need one .

one more thought is what fluid are you using ? i bet i know , and it may be part of the problem .

[This message has been edited by Mopar-muscle (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[Mopar-muscle]

ok , thats good info , i wish kill k was back at home , he would nail this down . was curious if it may be a shudder problem , but you aren't using a synthetic so thats out .

i remember reading of governor problems , and its electric , if you cooked the other convertor and the monkey at the dealer didn't flush the crap out of your coolers it would come back to haunt you .

[This message has been edited by Mopar-muscle (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[rotohead]

I'm having the exact same problem. Have after market T/C and transgo shift kit w/Redline Oil. Intermittent condition makes it tough to troubleshoot. TPS is a possibility. Worked great for about 8 months with current setup. Will be interested in what you guys find out with your rigs.

Chuck

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

[Mopar-muscle]

another guy with a trans go and problems ??? am i beginning to see a trend here ?



[This message has been edited by Mopar-muscle (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Still in Denver

98. 5 -99 dodge rams are pron to this condition. Tsb 18-02-99 fixs this,sometimes
when the dealer reflashs the pcm the reflashs does not take.

Bill Kondolay

 

[gwdouglas]

Mopar-Muscle

I have just taken the truck with the camper loaded out for a spin and everything works perfectly. This whole problem is looking more and more like a bad sensor or a bad connection. Of course, since it now seems to be intermittent it will be very difficult to find and fix. .

This is definitely an in-and-out of lockup problem. We put a scanner on it and it shows the solonid turning on & off. Also the rpm change is consistent with lockup.

I have Castrol ATF+3 in the transmission.