Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission shifting problem 01 3500

[diesel DOG]

I have an 1 3500 with near 150,000 on it. Had a new transmission installed at about 110,000 it has worked fine till now. Fluid is good and clean. When accelerating slowly right between 45-50 it will shift 2-3 times in and out. Happens at 1200-1400 rpm. If I accelerate moderately it will not happen.



Could the TPS have anything to do with it? I would like to have a few opinions before I hit the transmission shop that put the rebuilt in. Warranty was for 30,000 miles I think.



thanks for any tips.

 

[Sticks]

Do a search on auto trannys and shifting issues. IIRC there is a grounding issue or somesuch that causes this. I don't pay much attention to those threads as I have a 6 speed, and don't do autos.

 

[Ramtuf1]

That is most likely the torque converter (TC) locking and unlocking. Those of us with the 2nd gen trucks (auto trans) are plagued with the problem. Search on lock/unlock or TC and spend the day reading. There are many solutions from aluminum foil on the ground wire, additional grounds and many more. I have done them all and I am now experiencing the symptom again.



Need to install heavy duty battery terminal clamps and clean them all up for this go around.

 

[JohnBoy5]

here is a great place to start reading and just another thing to add to the fix for this problem. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ission-1998-5-2002/210970-tc-lock-unlock.html



look at the post also on line 24 and line 12

 

[ALepley]

re-run the grounds for the apps. go on suncoastconverters.com and look up the rewire for the apps.

 

[diesel DOG]

I have been busy sorry I have not been back for a while. I have just kept it out of the 45-50 mph slow acceleration for now. I'll due some reading thanks for all the help. I have a job 90 miles ea way so I can't do much till it's done.

 

[THoltz]

I have had that problem before. I removed both batteries and thoroughly cleaned the battery tops, posts, and all terminal lugs/conectors with a battery acid cleaner/neutralizer that I bought in a spray can at Auto Zone then applied a dielectric grease and installed everything. That stopped my problem. That was about six months ago and my Mopar batteries leak at the posts and cell covers and have got some acid and minor corrosion at the posts/lugs. My transmission is starting to shift as you describe, so I will be cleaning them again next weekend. I will post what the results are.



Before you take your transmission back to the shop, you might try a good battery cleanup as I described.



Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[J.McKenzie]

I had that on my 2000-2500 4x4 24 valve, and I replaced the altanator since it had 400000. miles on it with 1 overhaul and that cured my shifting problem, I now have 425000 miles and it is still shifting as it should.

 

[GTJacobs]

I had that problem took it to 2 different shops noone could fix it. I searched the TDR and found a repair from suncoast. I was about to cut the ground wire in back of the TPS when I decided to wait until the next day to do the repair. Well the truck has not had the problem anymore. It was fixed by separating the wires away from each other. I cut the black tape and wire loam away from the wires and just pulled them away from each other so they were not touching and the problem magically stopped.

 

[diesel DOG]

Found the problem and got a noise filter from DTT. Something to do with alternator. It was 89 bucks. Not in yet but will keep you posted. It left for a week or about 1000 miles of driving but is back hope the gadget works. Mechanic was told sometimes if you disconnect the batteries it will leave for a few weeks. He was speaking to people at SEMA. Another company had a similar fix.

 

[Ramtuf1]

With regards to my post above, here is a follow up to my situation. I consequently had new battery terminals installed. I used the heavy duty marine terminals and terminated all of the cables with soldered eye lugs which were connected to the studs on each of the new terminals.



So far I have not had any issues with TC locking and unlocking. As I previously mentioned, I have made all of the suggested upgrades and periodically the problem reoccurs. It is very important to maintain a clean battery terminal to battery environment. So far so good.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Found the problem and got a noise filter from DTT. Something to do with alternator. It was 89 bucks. Not in yet but will keep you posted. It left for a week or about 1000 miles of driving but is back hope the gadget works. Mechanic was told sometimes if you disconnect the batteries it will leave for a few weeks. He was speaking to people at SEMA. Another company had a similar fix.

Same thing here, ordered the filter from DTT.

Installed it in about 15 minutes after i got the air cleaner out of the way.

Been there for 3 years or more, and never once, has the transmission done that crazy dance between lock up/out on the torque converter.

cheapest, sanest fix ever.

I do an annual PM of the battery cables and grounds still. Just good PM in IMO.

 

[diesel DOG]

worked great!