Archived TC Shudder after recent service - advice?

[TBontrager]

I had the transmission serviced at a reputable service garage at the end of October. I supplied the trans. filter and gasket obtained from Genos. However, I did not supply the fluid. They used Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF.



http://www.pennzoil.com/products/trans_fluids/mv_atf.html



My truck is a 2001. 5 2500. I carry a heavy Lance truck camper. I took a 200 trip on Saturday and had a rather severe TC shudder when under load, primarily on acceleration or up hills. My only performance mod. other than guages is an Edge EZ. I've never had this issue before and have NEVER run the transmission hot. I now have about 81000 miles.



I called the Pennzoil (Shell) consumer hotline this morning. The product manager claims that their fluid meets specification MS 9602 (ATF-4), even though it obviously isn't licensed by Chrysler as such. They also faxed me a letter stating that it meets this specification and that "In the unlikely event that any customer suffers component damage as a direct result of the use of their fluid, we will warranty any lubricant related problems. "



So, is the fluid a likely culprit? With 81K miles, is it just time to spend the cash to upgrade the transmission with DTT or ATS?



Thanks a lot for the input.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Take a look at lubegard, it may take care of the shudder



http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/index_trans.html

 

[dalton4]

I know equipment can start failing at unsuspecting times, but your shudder problem started after you put in the "one size fits all transmission fluid". I would go back and try the designated fluid type. This would tell if it is fluid related or not and then go from there.

 

[TBontrager]

I won't rely on anyone else again for routine parts or fluids. I dumped the fluid and put in ATF+3 per John's recommendation at Floor It Diesel Performance in Lawrence, KS. John is a DDT installer. Kind of odd to put +3 in a +4 transmission. Anyway, I've driven a few miles, and it is definitely better. However, the condition still exists, so I will be looking at a more extensive solution in the near future.



Thanks to all.



Tim