Hi all, I'm a new member to the forums with a recently purchased 1994 2500 2WD 5.9L Laramie (189K). I purchased the vehicle for $700 knowing that it needed some work. This is not a daily driver but a vehicle used for yard/house work so for now as long as it's driveable and can pass inspection I'm happy. As I hit my mid-life crisis however things may change

I've read through quite a bit of the threads and love reading all about the transmission woes so please let me know if i'm on the right track here.

Transmission and Exhaust work (the pipe between the Cat and Muffler is rotted out)

1) The guy I bought it from said it sometimes will shift in OD other times it won't and the speedometer does not work. He had replaced the transmission last year but the replacement was sitting in his shed for 2-3 years so he thought it might just be a gunked up filter. I drove the truck home last night (60 miles) and it drove fine until I came up off the expressway, as I slowed down and turned the wheel to the right the truck stalled. Now, could these be a backflow problem due to the exhaust or could it be the TPS?

My plan is to remove the pan, drain the transmission, replace the filter, speed sensor and the governor solenoid and sensor and install a drain plug while I'm at it. Seeing as how I only paid $700 I don't mind spending to $300 or so to do all of this.

2) When I drain the fluid what color do I "NOT" want to see?

3) What is the diameter of the stock exhaust pipe between the cat and muffler? I figured I could just replace that section if possible.

Any other suggestions would be quite welcome!!!

 

one more item. When starting the motor up the check engine light does not come on. Once I start moving the light does pop up, the guy I bought if from said that it started when he put the headers on (I haven't had a chance to get under the hood and look at what's on there). I tried the KeyDance on the truck today and got no codes (does this actually work on 94s?).

 

as far as the exhaust is concerned, if it's stock then the intermediate pipe is a 2.5 inch diameter. The tranny fluid, just like any other tranny fluid, should be a redish color. Just not brown or black for that matter. you night want ot consider a tranny cooler and remote filter. Also, the check engine light could be burnt out. I'm sure someone else will chime in about the tranny. I'm not well versed in that area enough to instruct anyone. Welcome to the DF!!!

 

Messed up speed sensor (the front one) in the transmission ... it will cause erratic shifting and trip the CEL once you reach 15mph.

edit: Now that I read your first post (along with the second) I suspect that both speed sensors in the tranny are toast. The first one causes the error talked about above. The other will kill your speedometer.

 

You might also consider a tune up. I'm sure it would help out some.

 

Thanks, I'm just going to order the parts and while I have the pan off the tranny I'll replace what I can. I have some time tomorrow so I can crawl under and take a look. I noticed a bit of fluid in my driveway today and I don't think it's from either car. The previous owner alluded to a leak in one of the tran cooler lines so that will be another mission....

 

ok, I knew there was one speed sensor in the tranny, didn't realize there were two....

 

Pre-'98, there's one in the middle and another in the tailshaft (and a 3rd in the rear axle). There's still some confusion as to the exact naming but there is an OSS, a VSS and a RWSS.

 

Blah, was able to do the keydance and get my codes, looks like I have a busy weekend coming up:

37 - Torque Convertor Clutch Solenoid (hopefully, the tranny isn't shot)
32 - EGR System Failure (if it's a short I should be able to find it)
21 - O2 Sensor (I figured I would have to do this)
15 - Speed Sensor (I knew about this one)
46 - Charging System Voltage