Hi all,

New to the forum. You all seem like cool, knowledgeable people and it's good to be a part of this.
I've owned 5 and 6 speed cars my whole life. First automatic here.

The truck is a 93 V6 4-speed auto, almost 140k miles. (not sure the exact tranny yet)

The problem is, sometimes it seems to hold on to second gear and not shift into 3rd until a higher rpm (3000-4000rpm) or sometimes it will not go into 3rd at all. I can pull over, shut the engine off and back on, then it works. Weird.

Tomorrow I have set aside to do a fluid and filter change. After reading in my Haynes manual and this forum, I'd like to adjust the bands because I think that may be my problem. It sounds simple enough, but I suppose I need a small torque wrench. I have a 1/2" drive 20-130ft-lb wrench but these band screws need like 6 ft lbs/72 in-lbs. Also, I hear it may be some strange bolt head or something? Also very hard to get to? Can I just go by "feel", or is it really important I go to Sears tonight and get a small torque wrench. I won't have another car to use once the job is started which is why I ask now.

I did search the forum but the post had links which were non-working..

Thanks!

 

With the v6 you have a 42rh tranny.
I would say that it sounds like it would be you tranny tv cable. it is easy to adjust.
http://www.v8performance.com/tipsandtricks.htm#TVCable

In most cases when its the band that needs adjustment, you would have sliping issues. But if you want to try here is how to do it. You can just use a cresent wrench untill you get tight and just feel it. But you dont want to have it miss adjusted.

1. Raise and support vehicle, then loosen band adjusting screw locknut, Fig. 6.
2. Back locknut out three to five turns, ensuring adjusting screw rotates freely in transmission case. Use suitable lubricant on threads, if necessary.
3. Use a 0-100 in.lb. torque wrench to set adjusting screw. A 5/16 in.12 point socket , or crowfoot wrench will be required to turn adjusting screw. CAUTION: If adapter extension C-3705 must be used to reach adjuster screw, tighten screw to only 5 N.m (47-50 in.lb.) torque.

1. Tighten band adjusting screw to 8 N.m (72 in.lbs.) , then back screw as follows:

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  • On 32RH-42RH, back off adjusting screw 2-1/4 turns.

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  • On 36RH/37R-46RH, back off adjusting screw 2-7/8 turns.

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  • On 47RH, back off adjusting screw 1-7/8 turns.

1. Hold adjusting screw in position and tighten locknut to 41 N.m (30 ft.lbs.) torque, then lower vehicle.

 

Thanks crazy, I changed the fluid and adjusted the throttle cable this morning. Fluid and filter looked clean still. Truck definantly shifts firmer than before. Feels more responsive as well. The second gear problem is still there, so maybe I'll try the band after I buy a 0-100 in lbs tq wrench. Being the 2-3 shift only, I think the problem might be a more expensive one, but it's worth a try.

The pan gasket I bought from Advance auto was this cheap curled up rubber piece of crap and as such the pan is now leaking. I tightened the bolts after a test drive but still they leak. Possibly overtightened now... I am thinking of re-using the dual gasketed plastic Mopar part that was on there because it looks like new.

 

please forget that rubber crap. i only use permatex orange ( high temp) for any gasket replacement. pull anything off, clean it and put a bead of that on it and your done. i don't have factory gaskets on the front and rear diffs.,tranny pan and oil pan. i'm about to put the high temp sealer on the valve covers.

the shift problem sounds like a bad governer valve.

 

Where/what is the governor valve? Is that another name for the throttle valve which I adjusted yesterday?