Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Unusual transmission Problems 2002 3500 4x4 auto

[paguilera]

Help... I have 3000 miles on a Dodge reman' trans, replaced under warranty. I don't know if this matters, but it mostly happens on cold mornings... and I live on a big hill. When the truck sits overnite, I start up and coast/drive down a 1/4 mile of hill. I come to a dead stop, then hit the gas... nothing happens for a split second, or a bit longer, the rpm starts to go up, but the trans doesn't hook up... then it engages and goes ( no "bam", no slipping it just hooks up)... it will do this on the 2 or 3 stops I make over the next mile... then stops doing it... the dealer hasn't a clue, has replaced the drain-back valve, to no effect and really doesn't want to deal with it.

I am trying to get ready for a round-the-country with 25tt in tow... any ideas????

 

[fox]

I'd try this.

With the trans warm, check the fluid level. This is done with it running, in neutral, read both sides of the stick. make sure it is at the full line. The back of the dip stick is the correct side.

I think the issue goes away as the trans warm up because the fluid expands (which reads a little higher on the stick).

 

[paguilera]

fluid checks

Thanks Fox, I have checked fluid levels till I have type Iv in my veins... seriously, I have even added 12 oz, 4 oz at a time, to see if that made a diff... nada... new drain back valve... nada (altho I never saw fluid go up the stick like it should have if drain-back was the problem). The good news, my dealer wants me to be "happy" (my cynical side says they want me to buy a new truck next year)... but, very much to my surprise, they decided to replace this reman with another and are ordering today (they say), so I am hopeful... given the number of wierd things this trans has done... the example given was just the one that re-occurs most frequently, I am inclined to think there is a valve body problem... . the reman case could also be at fault (the techs opinion) as it could be beyond tolerance and causing pressure to leak. The interesting part is that my old trans, though the bands wore out by 67k, never did any of that stuff..... Thanks for your input and happy smokin'

 

[SMacLeod]

Help... I have 3000 miles on a Dodge reman' trans, replaced under warranty. I don't know if this matters, but it mostly happens on cold mornings... and I live on a big hill. When the truck sits overnite, I start up and coast/drive down a 1/4 mile of hill. I come to a dead stop, then hit the gas... nothing happens for a split second, or a bit longer, the rpm starts to go up, but the trans doesn't hook up... then it engages and goes ( no "bam", no slipping it just hooks up)... it will do this on the 2 or 3 stops I make over the next mile... then stops doing it... the dealer hasn't a clue, has replaced the drain-back valve, to no effect and really doesn't want to deal with it.

I am trying to get ready for a round-the-country with 25tt in tow... any ideas????

hmm have you considered the apps or tps? it's the same thing just different name these are real common to go bad in the dodge truck I have had to replace mine.

Sharron

 

[JonWilson]

Check the fluid in the morning before starting up and see if it is reading a couple of inches high on the stick it could be you have a drain back problem through other avenues , front pump bushing for instance not normally a real bad problem except for the symptoms you have ,but not what I'd want for a new trans.

 

[paguilera]

Fluid has been checked cold... I see no drainback... . nor does dealer... . at least nothing at all significant... as for tps... . why would it fail at exactly the same time a new trans is installed... just seems too coincidental to go tearing into it... Paul

 

[paguilera]

Forgot to say thanks for the suggestions... and if the next reman does the same thing; I will be tearing into the aps. The only reason I am even doing this (instead of buying an aftermarket) is that I just hate to let DC get away with a crud trans under warranty... . I had planned a trip to BC, DTT, just before we left... but time is a wasting and I still need time to install a newly ordered set of injectors... I am supposed to be on the road east by Turkey day... may go with a factory stock trans... just going is the point... Paul Oo.