Newbie to 1st gen, need transmission advice

[DBoggs]

My son just joined the Air Force. While he is away at boot camp I am trying to help him take care of some issues he has been having with his truck.



It is a 1993 W350, auto, 4x4 dually, 3. 54 gears.



The transmission appears to be slipping in all forward gears. I initially thought it wasn't downshifting to first gear, but after driving it today for a greater distance and manually shifting it from a stop, I realized it is shifting through all the gears. Including overdrive. It will shudder from a dead stop and the engine revs pretty high in order to get up speed. There is no tachometer so I can't tell the rpm's.



Reverse appears to be normal. It doesn't feel like it slips at all.



The fluid is full.



I've been reading the different posts and can't find any that match exactly these sysmptoms.



I have not pulled and cleaned the TPS, though it doesn't sound as if it would help. Overdrive is working.



I have not had the transmission serviced or adjusted either, though just as soon as I can I intend to, if anyone thinks it might help. Or is replacing the trans a better idea?



Money will be a consideration since my boy is just starting his military career and won't have much for a while. And I'm not wealthy either. (just lost my business and my Dodge truck)



Any help is appreciated and I will attempt to do as much of this as I can, time, money, and knowledge permitting.



Thanks,



Duane

 

[R C Cola]

transmission Woes

Many good reputable shops will do a diagnosis free or for a nominal fee. I would definitely ask around tho to be sure I go to a shop with a good reputation. You need the truth . Your description sounds like slipping bands.

Is the fluid clean and no burnt smell (should be red and not smell bad). ?

If you put one foot on the brake and take the RPM up to about 1700 with a poke at the pedal there should be no slipping (you will know if there is). " Do not do this for more than 1 or 2 seconds, a healthy transmission can handle this with no problem. If you are handy pull the pan after draining and inspect the bottom for bits of debris, normal is very small sediment (almost like wet baby powder) and not too much of it. No large pieces and shiny brass is not good. This will get you started. Rule of thumb many automatics need a rebuild at about 150K. Good Luck

 

[PToombs]

It sounds to me like the converter is junk because it slips in all gears. They were marginal on these trucks when they were new. Pull the pan and take a look, if it doesn't look too crappy in there, put in a filter and get a better converter for it. If it has metal, rebuild or replace it and put in a good converter. There is usually a black film on everything, and small fine black stuff is normal.

 

[DBoggs]

Thanks for the replies.



I will find a decent shop and let them drive it and get an opinion there also.



I suspected converter but the one thing that makes me wonder about that is the fact that is isn't slipping in reverse. Doesn't it use the same band for first and reverse?



Fluid looks red and doesn't smell burned, but this has (according to my son anyway) only been happening for a few weeks and he hasn't driven it much.



I have no idea the miles on the trans, I suspect it probably is way over 150,000, the truck has over 200,000 but I don't know if the transmission was ever replaced or rebuilt before my son bought it.



Anyway, I'll start trying to find a good trans shop and maybe go buy the fluid and filter and service and adjust the trans just to see if that works.



Thanks,



Duane