transmission sluggish when cold

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My auto transmission is sluggish, slow to engage in 1st gear, when cold, below 30F, it works okay when warmed up.
Fluid level is okay, dropped pan, changed filter, it was fairly bad, transmission overhauled about 20,000 miles ago, don't know how well.

Any help will be appreciated.

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96 CC 4X4 2500 SLT AUTO transmission, PrimeLoc, ISSPRO EGT Boost transmission Temp, GUTTED CAT, 150,000+ Miles still goin' strong, Lots of Ham Radio gear, NO IGNITION NOISE!!! Love my diesel!!!

 

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There was a TSB a while back about adding an anti drain back valve to the cooler line. If you shift into gear and there is a delay, this will fix it. It seems the converter and coolers drain when the trucks sit for a while.

However, it is not necessarily a good idea to add a restriction to the cooling circuit (I removed it from my updated cooling line). It can contribute to overheating of the trans.

Is your fluid level correct? (obvious, right?) Are you checking it in neutral? Look at BOTH sides of the stick and go with the lower reading.

Are you running a synthetic fluid? This will help as it flows much better when cold.



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'94 3500 4x4, 205,000 miles, Never had a cat, Auto w/shift kit (thanks Dave G), 3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Air Filter & Lubes, AWOL silencer ring & intake boot. NRA member. Blue Ribbon Coalition member.
"Warrantee? We don't need no stinking warrantee!"

 

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My '95 had a recall in '96 to add the drain back valve,DC did it for free. Before it was done it took quite a while for the trans pressure to build after parking overnight. Now it gets up and goes after an over night park,but if I park it for several days it acts like it did before the valve. Either way it 's no big deal to wait the 30 seconds or so that it takes to pressurize. If you can get it done for free go for it,otherwise I'd say live with it.

 

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In the morning, warm or cold, after I start the truck, I let it idle for about a minute with the transmission in neutral. That gets the fluid moving through the system and helps the warmup process (I hope). I also use synthetic ATF.

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'95 2500 SLT ClubCab, automatic, 3. 54 LSD

 

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I've become so acustomed to this kind of torqueflite behaviour that I don't even pay attention to it anymore. I just put it in gear at idle and when it decides to move I leave. My dad's '63 Plymouth factory hot rod did the same thing.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Archive]

Okay, sounds like the transmission is doing "normal" for a 727/rh47/torqueflight.
I am not running synthetic fluid, I am going to drain and change filter again pretty soon, put a drain in the pan to make it easier. Why don't they put a spin-on oil filter on the side of these transmission's???
Opps,, forgot, might cost them a quarter to fifty cents!!
Thanks for all the input, you guys are great, I purchase the truck a couple of months ago, it had 145,000 miles on it, has 152,400 on it now. It aint perfect but I sure like the motor!!!!!

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96 CC 4X4 2500 SLT AUTO transmission, PrimeLoc, ISSPRO EGT Boost transmission Temp, GUTTED CAT, 150,000+ Miles still goin' strong, Lots of Ham Radio gear, NO IGNITION NOISE!!! Love my diesel!!!