Starts & idles fine, but won't rev or move

[JWChessell]

2nd time this has happened in 2 mos. I have an 03. 5 HO with 48RE auto trans, 29,000 miles. Started truck, idled fine, after 15 seconds put it in drive, nothing happened, truck wouldn't move. Pressed on accelerator, nothing happened, truck stayed at idle no matter how far I pushed pedal. Put trans back in park, then to drive again, nothing happened, same result -- no movement, not able to rev engine, still running smoothly at normal idle. After about 2 minutes, engine still not rev, but truck started to move slowly forward at about 1 MPH. After about 100 ft, engine responded to accelerator pedal, and truck drove normally. Air temp at time was 51 F, truck had sat for three days without being started. Two months ago had same experience, air temp at that time was about 28 F, truck had sat only overnight.



What's going on? Is there some sort of sensor that prevents engine acceleration based on the circulation of the trans fluid, or the automatic transmission's ability to respond?



Is this normal, or do I have a problem? It has only happened twice; every other time it starts and goes, with the otherwise normal exception of having to wait (perhaps) 15 to 30 seconds for the trans fluid to start circulating after the truck has been sitting for a couple of days. On those occasions, engine revs normally.



??

 

[KBennett]

The 3rd gens throttle is drive-by-wire. I wonder if the Throttle Position Sensor is the issue?

 

[Cryotek]

Could be your torque converter is leaking all the oil back into the transmission pan. THe engine may not let you excelerate until the transmission pressures are up to normal. This is just a guess, but with some logic.

 

[bgilbert]

Try allowing it to idle/warm up with trans in neutral. Does DC still have the drain back problems with their autos?? I know my old 727's after sitting for a week or more, if you started it then put it in drive and tried to take off, it wouldn't move a bit. This is why with DC autos anytime of the year, one should start vehicle, place trans in neutral to allow fluid circulation. Then go. Could just be a matter of seconds, time to light a cig or what have you.

 

[rbattelle]

Early '03s with the 48re had a drainback problem. I believe there was a TSB to install an anti-drainback valve...



-Ryan

 

[ROCKJEEP]

Even if it had a drain back problem he'd be able to rev it.

 

[WMcGuire]

I've experienced that in my 04. 5, first time it was down around 32 degrees which is darn cold to me anymore, but the second time it happened my engine was at running temp, I had stopped for about 3 minutes and re-started ant it wouldnt budge off of idle for a minute or so, someone in these forums suggested the cause was pushing the go-pedal down when starting the engine, I haven't experienced the problem lately so that might have been the cause.

 

[sag2]

I believe there is a TSB to not touch the pedal when starting. If you do, it will act as you describe.

 

[vagabond1]

2nd time this has happened in 2 mos. I have an 03. 5 HO with 48RE auto trans, 29,000 miles. Started truck, idled fine, after 15 seconds put it in drive, nothing happened, truck wouldn't move. Pressed on accelerator, nothing happened, truck stayed at idle no matter how far I pushed pedal. Put trans back in park, then to drive again, nothing happened, same result -- no movement, not able to rev engine, still running smoothly at normal idle. After about 2 minutes, engine still not rev, but truck started to move slowly forward at about 1 MPH. After about 100 ft, engine responded to accelerator pedal, and truck drove normally. Air temp at time was 51 F, truck had sat for three days without being started. Two months ago had same experience, air temp at that time was about 28 F, truck had sat only overnight.

What's going on? Is there some sort of sensor that prevents engine acceleration based on the circulation of the trans fluid, or the automatic transmission's ability to respond?

Is this normal, or do I have a problem? It has only happened twice; every other time it starts and goes, with the otherwise normal exception of having to wait (perhaps) 15 to 30 seconds for the trans fluid to start circulating after the truck has been sitting for a couple of days. On those occasions, engine revs normally.

??

I may be guessing, but there should be a sensor telling the computer if you are in neutral or park. The computer may not be getting the information.

 

[JWChessell]

Thx to saq2 in San Francisco. I found the TSB!



18-027-02 All



No throttle response, lack of power while towing and diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2638/ P0700.

The bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a Cummins diesel engine (sales code ETC or ETH) built on or before July 25, 2003. The vehicle may exhibit:



No throttle response if the engine is started with the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor (APPS) in an off-idle position (pedal depressed) and the transmission is shifted into drive or reverse while the APPS remains in an off-idle position (pedal depressed), causing the engine to remain at idle.

Lack of power while towing or hauling a heavy load with the transmission in overdrive – vehicles equipped with 47RE transmission.

The repair involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Cummins CM845 engine control module (ECM) with new software.