not sure if my van is acting weird or not......


i have a 96 b2500, with a v6 and a 3 speed automatic

it seems to hold 2nd until about 52.5 mph, then shift into 3rd.....

now, before it gets to 52.5, it sounds like the engine is revving pretty high..... almost too high for a comfort level, once it finally shifts, it does get noticeably quieter.....

fluid level is good, and it doesn't smell burt. has a nice bright red color


i know i haven't changed the filter since i got this vehicle from my in-laws, and plan to soon.... but i wanted to know if where it is shifting is normal?

i really never noticed it before..... didnt notice it until after i did plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oversized ford oil filter (fl1a - same size as fram ph8a), and mobil 1 full synthetic 10-30

 

Assuming you are not holding the gas pedal to the floor, climbing steep hills, hauling a heavy load, pulling a trailer, driving into a 50 MPH headwind, and are accelerating normally, then no it is not the correct shift point. The tranny should shift into 3rd around 35 MPH.

 

what should i do about it?

i mainly drive highway, and this is most noticeable getting on the highway, while i am accelerating, however, i am not just gunning it, i'm not going easy on it, but not holding it at wot..

 

I would start with a fluid/filter change and band adjustment. If that doesn't solve the problem then the internal governor is the likely culprit.

 

is the band adjustment something a DIYer ?

i can do the pan drop and filter on my own

 

......

 

i am not sure if it happened before or after i worked on it... jsut that i now notice it.

tranny fluid level is good, as is the color and smell

are there any additives i can add to it to help? i am usually not a fan of additives, but i remeber a product called lubrigard or something liek that, that helped to stabilize the regular fluid in it on my old ford; the additive converted regular mercon/dexron, to mercon v -- it was highy recommended

 

Does the 32RH/RE require the level be checked in neutral, engine running like many other dodge transmissions. Is this how you determined the level?

Did you use ATF+4?

Lubegard Red is a good product, but despite the claims or the platinum or black bottle's claims, it will not turn Dexron into ATF+4.