Took my truck for its first long drive and found out several things. My front shocks aren't worn out. They are collapsed and the bottoms are broken off. I don't think I've ever seen THAT before. Possibly because it's a northern truck from the rust belt. Nothing I can't fix there.

However, I have a problem with the transmission shifting. It goes into reverse just fine. Going forward, it will shift between 1st and second just fine. One time I think it went into third, but I'm not sure. The broken shocks made it really interesting to drive. I have ABS and BRAKE lights lit. I've got a new ABS sensor on order that should be here soon. I'm afraid transmissions are something I'm not very well versed on. Could the ABS sensor have anything to do with this? I've checked the kick down cable and it seems to be set correctly.

 

What year is your truck?

 

It's a 1997 with the 3.9 and automatic. One thing I'll be tearing into is the OD button. It's gone and replaced by a wooden screwdriver handle.Except for the ABS light, it didn't have any codes when I checked it.

The negative cable is currently off the battery now as I'm going to pull and bench test the starter. When it got warm, turning the key didn't do anything but turn the radio on. Eventually it started but the starter is VERY corroded from salt. Eventually this looks like it's be a really good, but ugly, truck. One section of the outer panel on the bed actually flaps in and out driving down the road.

 

On the 97, ABS shouldn't matter. If your speedometer is working, the PCM should know vehicle speed. Getting any trans codes? TV cable free, and adjusted properly? Being a 97...... If everything else looks/works right, I would start thinkin' electronics. Easy to test. Unplug the 8 pin connector at the trans. Go for a drive. Keep in mind, there won't be ANY automatic function. You will have to shift up/down manually. If the trans goes into the gear you tell it to, when you tell it to, (you won't get TCC or O/D either....) then it's just the electronics. If it still doesn't wanna go into third, something else is going on, and it's likely rebuild time.

 

No codes when I unhooked the battery. (Pulled the starter since it fell apart.) Lot's of worn parts underneath so I'm rebuilding the front end. No heat but we're having an early spring so no hurry there. Even with the neglected maintenance, it runs pretty smooth and when it shifts, it shifts smooth. I've worked on older vehicles that acted like this due to a kick down rod or cable problem. Me and computers are not friends.

Where on the transmission is the plug? Left or right side? Once it's back on the road, I'll see what the shifting does.

 

Drivers side, about halfway back. Plugs straight down into the top of the valve body.

 

I believe I saw that. This truck needs a lot of work before it's ready for much time on the road. Some of the front end parts are so rusty the smoke wrench came out. One flex hose is new and one is pretty rotten. Guess which one the smoker touched? Upper and lower control arm bushings are old but look in decent shape. They'll stay but just about everything else will be replaced.

 

Okay, finally have the old gal in good enough shape to drive on the highway. Definite shifting issues. First and second shift just fine. Good and smooth. If I wind it up to 3000 rpm, then let up, it will shift into third. I often feel something else but I don't know if it's going into fourth or the lock up torque converter is locking up. When it does shift, it's smooth and firm.

This puppy is turning into a great driving little truck. When I rebuilt the front end, the old parts were so worn out, new parts have the front wheels splayed out slightly. I annoyed my first jerk with it today. He took up three parking spaces by parking crooked. About a year old, or less, truck. I squeezed in next to him. I was completely in a parking space.

 

Usually, you'll get TCC first, (once in third gear...) and that will be a small RPM drop, then O/D engages, and that's a pretty significant RPM drop. Have you been in the trans yet? Fluid/filter/band adjustment?? May not hurt to replace the governor stuff as well....

 

Before I tear nto the transmission unit, I'm going to remove the custom shift lever end.




Once I get it off and can look at the wires for the overdrive button, I can go from there