Okay so I think im gonna get a solenoid kit from cascade transmission parts but I had one question. The fluid, do i need to save the old fluid or should i use new fluid? I was told that i should use the old fluid because it still has particles in it which helps give it that grippy effect. I dont know if that is true or should I just get new fluid. And if new fluid, what kind?

 

New Fluid. ATF +4.

 

always use new fluid, taking it out contaminates it with foreign particles, and you dont want the clutch dust in it anyway (thats why there are filters in the transmissions to try and get rid of those particles)

 

The 2nd band seem to wear more than usual on these units. This causes your band strut to fall out which causes no second. Can be be fixed by pulling the VB and reinstalled the strut and adjusting the band. Its by no means a permanent fix but it will get you some more life out of your transmission.

 

How do you reinstall the strut and adjust the band? I have little to no experience in trannys but I am mechanically inclined. I work on airplanes in the USAF so I should be able to figure it out.

 

When you adjust your band you pull down on the band in the center and use the adjustment on the drivers side. You tighten the band until you have about 14" to 1/2" sag then lock the adjuster back down. The reverse band adjuster is inside the next to the valve body, so you adjust this one as well the front band.

 

So to end this thread, I finally figured out what was causing my second gear not to engage...The forward band anchor was laying in the pan with a chunk broke off of it. So the band was loose of course. So now I gotta get a new anchor. Supposively this is a common problem in chrysler transmissions.