<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I experienced a subtle transmission problem on a long trip over Christmas.</FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Truck is a 98, 2500HD, 8.0L V10, 2WD, Automatic, 85K miles.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Trans fluid is full to over full, clear and no burnt smell.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No warning lights or error codes.</FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><o></o></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>When driving on flat to slightly rolling terrain at highway speed, 75 mph @ 2000 rpm.</FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>The rpm would suddenly rise 200 to 400 rpm, then immediately go back down to 2000.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At highway speed turning the OD off seemed to cure the problem, but when cruising around town with the OD off at 20 to 40 mph I could still feel it happening.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When I got closer to home and the mountains it would pull upthe big grades fine, no slippage at all.</FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><o></o></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>It seemed like the lock up torque converter was unlocking then immediately locking back up.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Is there any thing that would cause the converter to unlock randomly besides a bad converter?</FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><o></o></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Thanks</FONT></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Mike</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoAutoSig style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><o></o></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoAutoSig style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=2>mharris@turbos.bwauto.com</FONT></P>

 

Man, I wish I could help you, other than it does sound like your torque converteris bad. It just makes me sooo thankful for my 5 forward gears, reverse and a clutch!Good luck, this will probably cost more than you'd like.

 

<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">I <SPAN lang=en-US>haven't</SPAN> had the same symptom again, but i have been having what i believe is a related problem. I am getting torque converter shudder when I am going up hills.</P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">Has anyone with a Dodge been <SPAN lang=en-US>successful</SPAN> curing a shudder problem by changing the transmission fluid and filter? After checking it looks <SPAN lang=en-US>like</SPAN> the fluid has never been changed in 85K miles. I know that it sometimes works with Fords, but I have never tried it in a Dodge. If I do change the fluid I want to get it done right with a flush machine. If that cures the problem great, but if I still have to replace the converter I am out $100 to $150.</P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">So does anyone have any <SPAN lang=en-US>personnel</SPAN> experience?</P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">Thanks</P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">Mike</P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">mharris@turbos.bwauto.com</P>