As i mentioned in some previous threads, I had an issue with my truck and it turned out that the bozo performing some work left my trans filter loose and there was no trans fluid in the system. Before all of this, I used to be able to step on the gas and take off really fast. Like on the interstate, I could get a large boost of speed if I stepped on the gas pick up really fast. Now my truck seems to just "vroom" up to the speed. Other things I've noticed since this are a "humming / whining" noise when turning my steering wheel the idle drops(not sure if thats normal or not). The biggy here though is when stepping on the gas pedal, I don't get the performance I expect. Could this be related to the transmission incident?

 

I've ran old school Chevys dry or quarts low for a while and topped it off and its fine. This newer stuff runs low and bad things happen, plus based on the 727 Mopar tranny I have compared to the 400t Chevy I have Chevys are better build and they don't have springs and stuff like the 727.

Yours is slipping and may not last much longer, more so when you speed up causing it to slip more and for a longer time.

 

I don't know a whole lot about cars/trucks but is slipping something that can happen with automatic transmissions? This has got an automatic in it. I just want this fixed I used to feel like the king of the road. This really sounds like a possibility though. Do I have any legal recourse to take against the mechanics? This happened back in October of last year. What are my options in fixing this slipping problem?

 

Yes Automatics can and will slip if something has happened or is happening to the transmission . Depending on the issue with the transmission it can be a very pricey fix or you could skate out with a cheap fix . Either way it pans out plan and prepare for the worst . Im not trying to freak you out , merely trying to prepare you is all . I recently dumped a ram due to automatic issues . Only reason I did the dump was the vehicle had 94K on the clock , I bought it used so I had no idea what previous services were performed on it . Im extremely **** about my vehicles . Not knowing the service history for me was a killer in its own way and adding the issues that were starting to show up on the previous truck it was better to walk away and start over new . For starters I would ask around and find out what trans place gets the best recommendations . The more people you can speak with the better , you are always gonna find someone that wasnt very happy with a shops repairs and rate them low . When the truth may be most customers are happy with the repairs . Also wouldnt hurt to pick a few peoples minds on the boards . Good luck bud

 

Get your truck up to operating temp and find a flat surface, put the e brake on and the truck in neutral, pull the trans dipstick and wipe it and re insert it for 5 seconds, then check your fluid level. It should be between or on the second of the two "hot" dots. If its low, top it off. Your whine is either low power steering or completely burnt up fluid. If you have never changed it then it could be either. With the truck off and cold, follow the two lines from the ps resivoir to the ps cooler in front of the radiator. Remove both hoses and allow them to drain into a bucket. Inspect them for dry rot or leaks at the clamps if your ps resivoir is low. Otherwise allow it to drain. Then bump the starter, without actually starting the truck to get out more fluid. Once it's drained, reconnect the hoses and refill at the resivoir with any ATF+4. Once at the full line, start the truck and lock the wheel full left and full right for a second each side. This will pull fluid all the way through. Refill the resivoir now as it will be about half full, and the whine should go away.

 

In most cases with trans filters on the 45rfe it starts with the flat filter gasket. It has to be seated correctly to avoid problems. Did you have the issue corrected? I'm assuming yes so generally a top off of fluid will correct the issue if it hasn't been too long. If its not the case you can hope its just a burnt up solenoid, which can easily be replaced without removing the trans, to burnt out clutch plates which is very costly. Low fluid will cause a trans to slip though so start there.

 

Do I leave the truck running while checking the trans fluid? Also, I was suspecting my PS fluid was low but when I took it to the dealer, for an oil change, they said "The level is fine" and that it was "dirty". I was thinking that I maybe was checking it wrong but it seems like it's low. Can I just add more to whats in there or must I drain? I had the PS fluid done by the same people who effed up my transmission.

 

Yes truck must be running in neutral to check the trans fluid. I would go ahead and drain it all and refill for the ps fluid. It's only 1 qt so your looking at 6 dollars. If it wasn't whining then a top off would be fine but chances are they only sucked the fluid from the resivoir and topped it off, leaving half burnt fluid to mix with the new stuff.

 

Great, i'll check these things when I get off work. Also, what are the chances that in "troubleshooting" my problem, the mechanic tried replacing my transmission with another similar one only to find that it didn't fix the problem and decided to leave the "test" transmission in my truck? Two different mechanics had the truck for a whole week each and did NOT fix the problem. Eventually the third one did.