Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I just wanted to thank Bill Kondolay publicly here for his help in getting my truck fixed... all without me spending one penny with him.
Story:
My transmission quit down-shifting on me. Everything worked if I manually downshifted, but the truck had to be almost at a stop (like the last two feet, ie 1mph) before it would go into first.
I had 92K on it, so I was figuring it was rebuild time. I used the dealer as a tech tool and had them diagnose it for me. They said it was the 1-2 shift valve sticking and I would need a new valve body. Quote: $899 for the v/b plus labor and fluids!
I figured I could get a v/b from DTT for half that and put it in myself, so I called them to check on the feasibility of this.
At some point in the conversation, Bill came on, asked me to describe my symptoms, then suggested that it was the governor solenoid or pressure sensor. Then proceeded to give me his cell number so I could call him on the weekend when I had the guage and truck handy.
Sat. morning I pulled out my manuals, looked up the Gov. circuit, and pressure port. And proceeded to do the test in the book. FAILED BAD!!! Called Bill, troubleshot further til he recommened that I replace the solenoid and sensor since I didn't have what was necessary for diagnose further.
Put the parts on will call at the dealer, set my wife loose on the service dept. and by monday afternoon, had the parts ($200) and my $70 refund for the first wrong diagnosis!!
1 hr of work had the new parts in, bands adjusted and my truck working better than I remembered it!
AGAIN Thanks BILL!!!!
And thanks to everyone here at TDR for all the information that they provide to us driveway mechanics!
Tod
Story:
My transmission quit down-shifting on me. Everything worked if I manually downshifted, but the truck had to be almost at a stop (like the last two feet, ie 1mph) before it would go into first.
I had 92K on it, so I was figuring it was rebuild time. I used the dealer as a tech tool and had them diagnose it for me. They said it was the 1-2 shift valve sticking and I would need a new valve body. Quote: $899 for the v/b plus labor and fluids!
I figured I could get a v/b from DTT for half that and put it in myself, so I called them to check on the feasibility of this.
At some point in the conversation, Bill came on, asked me to describe my symptoms, then suggested that it was the governor solenoid or pressure sensor. Then proceeded to give me his cell number so I could call him on the weekend when I had the guage and truck handy.
Sat. morning I pulled out my manuals, looked up the Gov. circuit, and pressure port. And proceeded to do the test in the book. FAILED BAD!!! Called Bill, troubleshot further til he recommened that I replace the solenoid and sensor since I didn't have what was necessary for diagnose further.
Put the parts on will call at the dealer, set my wife loose on the service dept. and by monday afternoon, had the parts ($200) and my $70 refund for the first wrong diagnosis!!
1 hr of work had the new parts in, bands adjusted and my truck working better than I remembered it!
AGAIN Thanks BILL!!!!
And thanks to everyone here at TDR for all the information that they provide to us driveway mechanics!
Tod
