Tranny Problem
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
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Tranny Problem
This is my first Dodge and maybe my last.
I bought my 1996 4x4 last March. It was used with 116K miles.
On my 1st road trip, the tranny went out in Saginaw, Michigan. Had it re-built there at a local shop with nationwide warranty. Within the 1st 12,000 miles, the torque converter went out and they replaced it. I was having shifting and surging problems in overdrive. I happened to be in the area again.
Now, less than 30K miles later, I am having the following problem.....
When the transmission is cold (start-up regardless of outside temp), the transmission slips. It seems to work best if I start out in reverse (although it still slips) and then shift into drive.
Any suggestions? I don't want to go through another rebuild. I know this slippiung can't be good for it.
I bought my 1996 4x4 last March. It was used with 116K miles.
On my 1st road trip, the tranny went out in Saginaw, Michigan. Had it re-built there at a local shop with nationwide warranty. Within the 1st 12,000 miles, the torque converter went out and they replaced it. I was having shifting and surging problems in overdrive. I happened to be in the area again.
Now, less than 30K miles later, I am having the following problem.....
When the transmission is cold (start-up regardless of outside temp), the transmission slips. It seems to work best if I start out in reverse (although it still slips) and then shift into drive.
Any suggestions? I don't want to go through another rebuild. I know this slippiung can't be good for it.
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 10
From: Gainesville, Ga.
RE: Tranny Problem
you might be experiencing torque converter drainback where the fluid drains back into the pan. i'm not a trans expert but it seemed to happen to me one time where it slipped bad and i couldn't go anywhere for a minute or two. for some odd reason these trans don't pump fluid into the tc in park, but only in neutral or gear. try shifting to neutral for a couple of minutes when cold to see if it helps any.
by the way, frequent downshifting from overdrive, especially while running cruise control is usually a bad throttle position sensor (tps). a $40 part at any parts store, drivers side of throttle body, 2 torx screws and a 5 minute fix. took me longer to figure out how to unplug the wire connector than anything.
by the way, frequent downshifting from overdrive, especially while running cruise control is usually a bad throttle position sensor (tps). a $40 part at any parts store, drivers side of throttle body, 2 torx screws and a 5 minute fix. took me longer to figure out how to unplug the wire connector than anything.
RE: Tranny Problem
While the TPS can give you an issue, my tranny guy took my valve body out over the weekend and replaced the governor shift selenoid, pressure switch, and the O.D. selenoid assembly. He also installed a shift kit and adjusted the Throttle pressure cable.
I gotta tell ya, even with 116k, the tranny shifts are firm, andeven the lockup engages with authority now. All the surging is gone in cruise.
Of course I've already junked the factory cooler check valve and installed an aftermarket cooler.
I gotta tell ya, even with 116k, the tranny shifts are firm, andeven the lockup engages with authority now. All the surging is gone in cruise.
Of course I've already junked the factory cooler check valve and installed an aftermarket cooler.
Professional
Joined: Apr 2005
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From:
RE: Tranny Problem
ORIGINAL: GregLane
This is my first Dodge and maybe my last.
I bought my 1996 4x4 last March. It was used with 116K miles.
On my 1st road trip, the tranny went out in Saginaw, Michigan. Had it re-built there at a local shop with nationwide warranty. Within the 1st 12,000 miles, the torque converter went out and they replaced it. I was having shifting and surging problems in overdrive. I happened to be in the area again.
Now, less than 30K miles later, I am having the following problem.....
When the transmission is cold (start-up regardless of outside temp), the transmission slips. It seems to work best if I start out in reverse (although it still slips) and then shift into drive.
Any suggestions? I don't want to go through another rebuild. I know this slippiung can't be good for it.
This is my first Dodge and maybe my last.
I bought my 1996 4x4 last March. It was used with 116K miles.
On my 1st road trip, the tranny went out in Saginaw, Michigan. Had it re-built there at a local shop with nationwide warranty. Within the 1st 12,000 miles, the torque converter went out and they replaced it. I was having shifting and surging problems in overdrive. I happened to be in the area again.
Now, less than 30K miles later, I am having the following problem.....
When the transmission is cold (start-up regardless of outside temp), the transmission slips. It seems to work best if I start out in reverse (although it still slips) and then shift into drive.
Any suggestions? I don't want to go through another rebuild. I know this slippiung can't be good for it.
You say this could be your last dodge which I am assuming because of the tranny going out the first time, but if someone else rebuilt then you can't blame the rest of your problems on it being a dodge because evidently someone didn't know what they were doing when they rebuilt it.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
RE: Tranny Problem
I agree with the previous post....it seems (since I own 2 2nd gen RAMS, though 2500's and w/ 5.9L v-8) transmissions seem to be common probelms for these years. I have replaced both of my transmissions in the last 6 months, one truck @ 147K and the other @ 201K, this isn't a reason to blame Dodges' (though rumor has it that Dodge did recognize a problem and finally worked it out with later models). You have to expect certain problems at some point....it used tobe that you couldn't even get 100K on a vehicle, period!
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RE: Tranny Problem
It cost me about 230 bucks for the parts and fluid, and a George Forman grill, supper, and thirty bucks for some diesel fuel (tranny guy drives a cummins). He did it in about two hours and that was with me helping (and mostly asking questions!). It was well worth the money!
I'd say if the tranny blew AFTER 116 k you got someone elses problem. That sucks, but something you can hardly blame on the truck.
Most repeat rebuilds early after the initial one are the result of the rebuilder/installer not cleaning the cooler and/or cleaning/replacing the inline checkvalve.
All the shyte from the first tranny failure ends up plugged into those two parts, either causing a premature meltdown or an overabundance of guck in the new tranny.
I'd say if the tranny blew AFTER 116 k you got someone elses problem. That sucks, but something you can hardly blame on the truck.
Most repeat rebuilds early after the initial one are the result of the rebuilder/installer not cleaning the cooler and/or cleaning/replacing the inline checkvalve.
All the shyte from the first tranny failure ends up plugged into those two parts, either causing a premature meltdown or an overabundance of guck in the new tranny.
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 359
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From:
RE: Tranny Problem
ORIGINAL: dhvaughan
i hate hijacking threads but here goes anyway, dsertdog, was this done w/o pulling trans out of the truck ? can i ask how much that cost ?
i hate hijacking threads but here goes anyway, dsertdog, was this done w/o pulling trans out of the truck ? can i ask how much that cost ?
I'm pretty sure the solenoids and pressure switch can be replaced without dropping the tranny, they may even be accessible from the outside.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
RE: Tranny Problem
ORIGINAL: dhvaughan
you might be experiencing torque converter drainback where the fluid drains back into the pan. i'm not a trans expert but it seemed to happen to me one time where it slipped bad and i couldn't go anywhere for a minute or two. for some odd reason these trans don't pump fluid into the tc in park, but only in neutral or gear. try shifting to neutral for a couple of minutes when cold to see if it helps any.
you might be experiencing torque converter drainback where the fluid drains back into the pan. i'm not a trans expert but it seemed to happen to me one time where it slipped bad and i couldn't go anywhere for a minute or two. for some odd reason these trans don't pump fluid into the tc in park, but only in neutral or gear. try shifting to neutral for a couple of minutes when cold to see if it helps any.
I did notice that it has plenty of transmission fluid - very pink and thin. I read some of the other posts regarding the type of fluid. I assume it has Dextron in it. The dipstick says that Dextron is okay. But, As I said, I've read the other posts and will probably change it out soon.
Another question: What is the solenoid looking thing mounted on the front axle. There is an electrical connection to it (unplugged) and two lines running to the transmission. One of the lines has been either mashed or burned in two. Anybody know what this is?
Record Breaker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
RE: Tranny Problem
That "solenoid looking thing" on the front axle is your CAD. It's what engages the axle when you select 4wd. The electrical connection should turn on the 4WD light in the dash. The two lines are vacuum lines as the CAD is vacuum activated. Sounds like your 4x4 system is in need of some serious work ... light duty ... but work none the less.