Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Trans Problems

[dclassens]

I have a 1997 Dodge 2500 CTD, reg. cab. 4x4, 70,000 miles. This truck has an automatic trans and has started to shudder going into over drive. It lasts for about 3 seconds and makes everything have minor vibration. Also makes a total different sound than the usual sharp gear shift. The duration is longer, almost like in both gears at the same time. ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS BEFORE I MAKE THE TRIP TO ATS? I do want to spend the money yet. Will adjusting the bands help, changing the fluid? anything to make the trans last. :{ :{ :{

 

[Bob Wagner]

some members claim this works





Do some research first

 

[Dennis Garrett]

The shudder you are feeling is probably lockup, not overdrive. Unless OD is locked out, it will shift to 2nd, drive, then OD, then the TC will lock up. You will hardly ever feel the shift to OD, but will notice a drastic RPM drop when the TC locks up. That is normally the last "shift" event you get. At lower RPM when line pressure is still low, it's probably slipping the TC's lockup clutch. With higher RPM, you get higher line presure, & it will hold the TC lockup clutch tighter.

 

[rrausch]

Well, if you want to make your trans last longer there are definitely some things you can do.



(1) Don't tow heavy. If you must tow, keep it out of OD and go easy when starting out and going up hills.

(2) Go easy on the go pedal at low rpm's. If you give it too much torque at low rpm's you are asking for all that torque to make things slip.

(3) Definitely change your trans fluid & filter every 12,000 miles--(that is factory recommendation for my '95, but do whatever your service manual says)

(4) You might have a good local shop do the fluid & filter & then have them tighten bands etc. , but beware the temptation to let them rebuild your trans, unless they are affiliated with one of the few Performance Trans builders known here on the TDR.



One of the advantages of ATS is that with a relatively low mileage trans you CAN put in just a TripleLok TC and the ATS Valve Body and leave the rest of the trans alone until it needs a rebuild. That alone will make the trans last a LOT longer, because the TripleLok Clutches will NOT degrade under heat and pressure like the stock one can. ATS is a great system, no doubt about it. But do your homework. Clint's number is 800-949-6002 if you want to call him.

 

[Howard Durand]

What is your engine rpm when this is happening?

My truck will shift into OD at around 50 mph and engine rpm drops to around 1500 then, if I am not accelerating very fast, the TC locks up, the rpm drops to about 1200 and I get a shudder but it is not slippage.

When I drive in slow 2 lane traffic I unlock the TC or OD to prevent this.

Try manually unlocking the OD and see what happens when the TC locks up in 3rd. If the trouble persists then the TC is slipping.

I would assume your transmission man would have made sure you have good internal line pressures but then, one should never assume anything.

By the way, my truck has 3. 54 gearing and that is the main reason I am having the low rpm shudder.

 

[PTMan]

Hey I'm new at this, but I have a transmission problem. Is this the place to put it?

I have a '96 2500 AT with 4:10 rear end. I'm getting a gritty grinding sound when in OD. I thought it might be transfer case noise because I was getting quite a bit of noise from the 4wd shifter, but oil is good there and so is the transmission fluid. I have been driving with OD locked out, and I do not hear the noise, but I'm turning about 2500 revs at 55mph. In OD it is usually about 1800 at 55. I hate to run it more if I may be doing any damage, but I KNOW what the local transmission shop will tell me !! Is it time for a rebuild? HELP!

 

[Joe G.]

It sounds to me like the gears in the OD unit are in bad shape. If you have a place to work you might pull the transmission pan and see what sort of trash you have in it. Probably needs a rebuild of the OD at the very least. This might be a good time to consider a replacement transmission from one of the aftermarket transmission vendors.

 

[PTMan]

Joe G... . How are things in Eureka? I haven't been through there for years. Nice town. I'm in Depoe Bay, Oregon.



I have a feeling that at 255,000 miles the transmission is "drifting off into rebuild land. " I may get by for a while yet using the OD lockout. I'm not towing or hauling any loads. I will do as you suggest and pull the pan. At least I'll know what's coming apart. I am just about to get a new 2004 3500 SW with the high output Cummins, so I don't want to put more into the '96 than I need to. Have you dealt with any of the transmission shops enough to refer me to a good one not too far away?



PTMan

 

[Joe G.]

It's been a while since I was that far north on 101 in OR. Our daughter lives in Roseburg so we are up there often.



I have been ripped off by transmission shops so I learned to overhaul it myself. It's been over 110K miles since I did mine.

 

[PTMan]

The "rip-off" is what they do best, unless you have a track record with a good one. I have a friend who has done some transmission work, so we'll probably get the '96 back in shape together. I appreciate your encouragement.