Sluggish transmission after sitting for a week

[VolCTD]

My transmission acts real sluggish for less than a 100 yards after my truck sits for a week or so. It's just when I first start the truck a pull out, it acts like it's not in gear until it gets up to almost 1500 rpm and finally starts to move. My question is mainly is this normal when one sits for a week or more or is it time for some maintenance? The transmission normally works just fine, shifts normally and tows good. I have changed the filter and 5 quarts of fluid a few thousand miles ago.

 

[cerberusiam]

Converter is probably draining back.



Do you put in neutral and let it idle for several minutes before you start out or just drop t n drive and go?

 

[AWise]

Agreed, it is most likely the converter draining. Mine does the same thing after sitting for a couple days. As the above post noted, just let it idle in neutral for a minute or so to get the trans fluid circulated. The trans wont pump/circulate fluid in park so make sure it is in neutral. I wouldn't drive off with it feeling sluggish like that, it means it doesn't have the proper fluid flow to work correctly, you risk damaging the converter (not likely, but possible).

 

[Bill Stockard]

My automatic transmission does the same thing when the truck is parked for a week to 10 days at the time. It's not a daily driver and is parked in my shop for days at a time. After starting the engine, I shift to "N" for a minute or two to allow the torque converter to fill and it drives normally.



Bill

 

[VolCTD]

Thanks for all the info guys. I figured it wasn't anything really wrong with it but wanted to make sure. Now that I know what it is I'll let it sit in neutral for a few minutes to get it all circulating again.

 

[ScottLewis]

I've heard that the term for this very common malady is "Morning Sickness"



Dan