I have a b250 -89 318 v8 with 904 3 speed with OD
recently bought this van and Im not so familiar with automatic.
Didnt check the transmission oil when it was running and on the way home it shifted nice until the OD kicked in then it started vibrating very much. when i checked the oil when i got home after a 19 mile drive (idling in N there wasnt any oil on the dipstick). when I drove it to buy oil (I know not the smartest thing to do) it started to jerk on every gear. I have now changed the oil and filter but it still jerks on every gear and it gets worse when you accelerate above 60 then it starts to vibrate very much and when you brake the vibrating gets even worse.
any ideas?

 

I'm guessing at this point the lock-up clutch inside the torque converter is shot. You can try verifying this with a tranny shop before replacing the TC.

 

okey dont have any good tranny shop around here guess i´ll try to find a used one and replace it. thanks for the help

 

Did you use ATF+4?

Any other fluid will cause issues.

The Lock up only engages in overdrive.

Do the key dance and see if you get a code for the solenoids in the transmission.

 

I used dexron 3 oil as it says on the dipstick shouldn´t that work? will try the key dance

 

cant find the check engine light only lights I have when i turn the key on is the oil lamp and a white lamp below the heat and fan switches and non of them blinks when I key dance

 

These trannies are super finicky about the right fluid, and the general consensus is that the Dipsticks are wrong, and that only atf+4 should be used.

I have had serious torque converter clutch chatter in a rebuilt tranny that kept getting worse until I had a dodge dealer exchange it with ATF+3(2002), Now Atf+4 replaces Atf+3 and is an excellent fluid.

Check to see if a previous owner removed the check engine bulb, or it just burnt out. It should light up when the ignition is turned on.

 

so I should be fine with ATF 3? when I tried it yesterday after changing oil it was powerless above 60 at full gas it tok a long while before it geared down and started accelerate. at low speed it feels like its in gear then not in gear when cruising. where in the panel is the check engine light suppose to be? is it just a light or is it a icon that lights up?

 

The check engine light is at the bottom center of the display. It should come on briefly (kind of a bulb check) when you first start the engine -- otherwise, the bulb is probably out.

 

Dexron 3 and Atf+3 are completely different fluids. ATF +3 is no longer made cause ATF+4 is much better.

On an '89, The CEL is right to the left of the stereo, just to the right of the oil pressure gauge. Third one down out of 4.

The dash bezel comes off with 2 screws on each side, and about 4 underneath.

Very simple once you've done it, just look from the bottom for black phillips head screws. Once all screws removed pull straight back.