I’ve got a 1998 1500 4X4 automatic with the towing package. The truck has 118K miles. I’m having a little problem with my transmission. Sometimes when I put it in gear it takes a few seconds for it to engage. I usually notice it when the engine is cold. The transmission has good solid shifts and I don’t think it is slipping any. A friend of mine told me that it might be a solenoid problem. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

One possibility is the check ball in the transmission line near the radiador has been removed. The check ball keeps the torque converter from draining back. The problem with the ball is that it can fail and block the flow into the radiator/cooler, which will cause the tranny fluid to overheat and ruin your transmission. It's possible someone removed the checkball because of it creating a blockage. But since it's job is to keep the torque converter from draining back, this is possibly what is giving you the symptom of not engaging when you first start it. One thing you can do is start the truck and put it in neutral right away, then adjust your seatbelt, radio, etc. I don't think the fluids start moving through the transmission until you take it out of park.

As a note, I may be wrong about the location of the check ball. Maybe someone else can chime in and give a picture of it's location. I think mine was removed by the previous owner when he put in an aftermarket cooler.

 

More information here: http://www.eatmyshifts.com/warning_f...rear_wheel.htm

Claims the check ball is in the lower cooler hose.

 

Thanks for the help. How can I check the check valve?