Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission shift style

[Jlobaugh]

Hi everyone!



Well this is my first post after lurking around here and learning for over a year.



I have a question about my transmission and how it shifts. I did a search and didn't find anything that really fit what is happening.



The truck is a 2001 3/4 w/4:10 rear,auto trans. When I get around 45 the shift is sometimes quick but sometimes it is long and drawn out.



Dang enter button!!!



the transmission will shift anywhere from 40 - 50 and temp doesn't seem to effect it too much.



any thoughts on what is going on here?



looking forward to the replies



Jeff

 

[BillGotthelf]

Are you talking about the TC locking up. It usually occurs around 45 if you are driving normally. Depending on the throttle position it may hold off until 50+ to lock up.

 

[bmoeller]

Seems normal for a stock transmission. My '97 is the same way if I don't hammer down vs. easing into it.

 

[Jlobaugh]

As for the TC locking that is a good question... My last truck of 13 years was a standard trans. Is there a easy way to know when the TC is locking ?



If I am easy on it , it will shift just past 40 but if I am giving it some drink it will run the rpms up past 2000 with a long drawn out shift.



Jeff

 

[cpeters]

It sounds to me like you are talking about a mushy shift vs a firm shift, maybe your still on the gas and the rpm slowly drops down when it locks up instead of a firm shift.

 

[BLucia]

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CONVERTER LOCKING AND UNLOCKING IN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR WHEN I AM AT CRUISING SPEEDS. IT IS AN INTERMITENT PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO SO I CHECKED THE TRANS FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS A QUART LOW SO I TOPPED IT OFF AND IT SEEMED TO SHIFT NORMAL UNTIL THE OTHER NIGHT IT DID IT AGAIN SO I CHECKED THE FLUID BUT THIS TIME THE LEVEL WAS O. K. i WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A SENSOR OR SWITCH THAT MAY BE GOING BAD THAT LOCKS AND UNLOCKS THE TORQUE CONVERTER? ANY CLUE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS PROBLEM? 2001 2500 QUAD CAB 4X4 3. 55 GEARS, 53,000 MILES.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Jlobaugh

[B Is there a easy way to know when the TC is locking ? [/B]

It fells like it is going into "5th gear", and picks up speed faster. If you are real easy on the go pedal, sometimes it will feel like it have 6 gears. When you feel all 4 gears, and when 3rd and 4th go into lock-up.



BLucia- Do a search under "TPS" (throttle position sensor)

 

[Diesel Dick]

BLucia,

My 98. 5 did the same thing. TC would slide in and out. Took it to Dodge and they reprogrammed the controller. Problem solved.

 

[zap]

As far as the TC locking and unlocking goes,from what I have read and talked to people about it it could be an electrical issue. You could try cleaning the wiring harness that goes into the PCM with electronics cleaner and then using some electrical grease to seal it up.

 

[Jlobaugh]

Thanks for the replies!



I have been out chasing trains all day as the UP Challenger ran through East Texas.



from the sound of it I will get it checked out the next time it is in the shop,guess I will keep my foot out of it too.



I ran the the truck hard today keeping up with that train and never could get it to shift the same way twice.

by the way the truck has 56000 +/- a few hundred miles