Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Hello, My husband posted several days ago in the 2nd gen transmission forum (whatever it's called) about our problem, but since then we've gone downhill fast.
'96 3500 dually 4WD automatic.
THE SYMPTOMS THIS WEEK:
first the transmission slipped a few times - once on the highway, but more when starting from a stop or near stop. The truck 'knew' it was in drive (would creep forward if foot taken off brake), as opposed to totally disengaged (as if sitting there in neutral) but would still slip and then finally catch and jerk forward, despite my trying to take off gently. We made the appointment with our Five-Stinkin'-Star dealer for diagnostics.
While I was driving the 45 minutes to the dealer, the transmission slipped almost everytime I had to start up from a stop, and then on the highway it would not shift from 2nd to 3rd. I was going around 60 mph at 2500 rpm. The transmission fluid temp never went above 180 through all of this. I checked the fluid level (truck hot, running in neutral) and actually the level was somewhat high - just above the second 'crimp' in the stick - perhaps 3/4 inch above the hatchmarked 'ideal' level.
The dealer just called, saying that they did a pressure test, and he said that the seals are shot, so we need a new (rebuilt) transmission, or to rebuild the one we have.
THE HISTORY:
the truck has 115,600 miles on it. We've had it since 53000. Regular servicing on the transmission, including the bands adjusted/fluids changed at 93,000. Then last year, at 103,000 we had this problem with not shifting from 2nd to 3rd, so had the servicing done again, including cleaning solonoids, adjusting bands, changing fluid. It seemed to work fine after that. Perhaps 1/2 of our miles are with a light horse trailer, usually with one horse - well within the weight limits for towing. I am VERY careful and gentle when hauling - no fast taking off or anything rough - because I don't want to throw the horse around.
THE QUESTIONS:
Well, I guess the questions are obvious.
1. do we take this guy's word for it, and empty our pockets into his without getting a second opinion?
2. his proposals were for either a rebuilt transmission from Chrysler (installed for $2650) or having our transmission rebuilt in the shop with a Chrysler kit (about $1500) assuming he doesn't find anything else wrong with it.
The factory rebuilt one has a 3 yr/36000 warranty. Having ours rebuilt has no warranty. Also, having ours rebuilt and thinking we're saving $1000 doesn't guarantee that it will solve our problem - what if something else is wrong with our transmission that isn't fixed in the rebuild? The guy enumerated other things that he could find once he gets going - and it seemed to add up to a lot of money fast. Does anyone ever come out ahead going that route (other than the guy servicing it, of course)?
3. are there other things that should be done/checked first, or is that just risking totally destroying what's left of our transmission while we dilly dally around, adjusting, changing or testing this or that?
4. Is there someone who is a miracle-worker with transmissions and trustworthy in the Madison, WI area (or within reasonable driving distance) who would be able to either give a second opinion or do the complete job?????
WHAT SHOULD WE DO?????
Our daughter shows her horses, and we finally got to the show season, so there is a massive flood of tears here as we need to cancel out on activities until the truck is back in commission.
OK, my husband just told me that anyone who reads this entire post is a Saint, so I'm going to post this without further babbling.
Thank you so very much for any assistance.
Katy (and Steve) :{:{
'96 3500 dually 4WD automatic.
THE SYMPTOMS THIS WEEK:
first the transmission slipped a few times - once on the highway, but more when starting from a stop or near stop. The truck 'knew' it was in drive (would creep forward if foot taken off brake), as opposed to totally disengaged (as if sitting there in neutral) but would still slip and then finally catch and jerk forward, despite my trying to take off gently. We made the appointment with our Five-Stinkin'-Star dealer for diagnostics.
While I was driving the 45 minutes to the dealer, the transmission slipped almost everytime I had to start up from a stop, and then on the highway it would not shift from 2nd to 3rd. I was going around 60 mph at 2500 rpm. The transmission fluid temp never went above 180 through all of this. I checked the fluid level (truck hot, running in neutral) and actually the level was somewhat high - just above the second 'crimp' in the stick - perhaps 3/4 inch above the hatchmarked 'ideal' level.
The dealer just called, saying that they did a pressure test, and he said that the seals are shot, so we need a new (rebuilt) transmission, or to rebuild the one we have.
THE HISTORY:
the truck has 115,600 miles on it. We've had it since 53000. Regular servicing on the transmission, including the bands adjusted/fluids changed at 93,000. Then last year, at 103,000 we had this problem with not shifting from 2nd to 3rd, so had the servicing done again, including cleaning solonoids, adjusting bands, changing fluid. It seemed to work fine after that. Perhaps 1/2 of our miles are with a light horse trailer, usually with one horse - well within the weight limits for towing. I am VERY careful and gentle when hauling - no fast taking off or anything rough - because I don't want to throw the horse around.
THE QUESTIONS:
Well, I guess the questions are obvious.
1. do we take this guy's word for it, and empty our pockets into his without getting a second opinion?
2. his proposals were for either a rebuilt transmission from Chrysler (installed for $2650) or having our transmission rebuilt in the shop with a Chrysler kit (about $1500) assuming he doesn't find anything else wrong with it.
The factory rebuilt one has a 3 yr/36000 warranty. Having ours rebuilt has no warranty. Also, having ours rebuilt and thinking we're saving $1000 doesn't guarantee that it will solve our problem - what if something else is wrong with our transmission that isn't fixed in the rebuild? The guy enumerated other things that he could find once he gets going - and it seemed to add up to a lot of money fast. Does anyone ever come out ahead going that route (other than the guy servicing it, of course)?
3. are there other things that should be done/checked first, or is that just risking totally destroying what's left of our transmission while we dilly dally around, adjusting, changing or testing this or that?
4. Is there someone who is a miracle-worker with transmissions and trustworthy in the Madison, WI area (or within reasonable driving distance) who would be able to either give a second opinion or do the complete job?????
WHAT SHOULD WE DO?????
Our daughter shows her horses, and we finally got to the show season, so there is a massive flood of tears here as we need to cancel out on activities until the truck is back in commission.
OK, my husband just told me that anyone who reads this entire post is a Saint, so I'm going to post this without further babbling.
Thank you so very much for any assistance.
Katy (and Steve) :{:{
OK, so I'm really sad, though very appreciative of your instantaneous replies. You are ALL saints. 
I guess I should have gone with the 5-speed like your mom did. 
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