wow Gripen, same **** huh? I did a drain and fill about the same time our fall season temps hit, so I don't know which one it was. I posted on an automotive site trying to get answers and some moderator said I had clutch failure and all this crap. I told him he didn't know what he was talking about. moderating the wrong forum lol. At least I hope he doesn't have a clue what he's talking about! But ya, first shift of the day, then no problems. I found that if I FWD and REV a few times while the truck is warming up, then I don't experience this at all. I'm doing a drain and fill with a filter change and different fluid then see if it corrects itself. All I know is that I was told NOT to add anything as far as additives go, and I will adhere to that.

 

I've got a new filter being delivered to me today. Hoping to have that and the oil changed here real soon, too. Truck currently has about 131k miles.

I wouldn't think that the clutch pack is wearing out as the issue seems to be the hesitation of getting into 4th rather than slipping in 4th before finally locking?

 

exactly. Don't worry, we will figure it out. But in the meantime, try driving it back and forth about 20 feet from REV to FWD 3 or 4 times. If I do this, the trans will go ahead and shift 3-4 like it is supposed to. I read where some dummies were cranking out 3500 RPMs trying to make it shift and I DEFINITELY wouldn't do something like that, so take it easy on her so that you don't do any real damage. Most likely a hydro pressure issue of some sort. I emailed Ashcroft Drivelines and he was telling me to warm it up first and I think that is what the FWD and Rev does, as just getting the engine coolant up to operating temp has no effect on the trans morning sickness.


I read on another blog where this happened to a TD5 after doing a drain and fill on the trans but his 1-2 shift was affected. Changing the fluid and filter 2 x times more corrected the issue. Although nothing was noted about a change in brand of ATF fluid.

 

Something I tried out at first drive today was going from D to 3 on the transmission as I was on the freeway. The transmission kicked down when I did that, then upshifted when I put it back in D. After a minute, I felt the torque converter lock. So, it's not the transmission hesitating in going into 4th, at least for me.

 

Never tried that. I have everything to do a filter job, I'm just waiting for more members to respond to my other post and let me know its perfectly OK to mix the new Valvoline fully synthetic MaxLife with the regular Valvoline blue-label stuff that I used last month. I hate to waste a bunch of time tomorrow having to go back to NAPA and exchange it out for the regular Blue jug Dex-Merc

 

Should be fine mixing the two. I've got two gallons of the Maxlife waiting to be pumped into my tranny when I get the filter changed out. Doubtful that it'll remedy the delayed lockup in 4th gear.

 

I changed the motor oil with exactly 6 quarts Rotella 15-40 and Napa 1515 filter, exactly 5 quarts synthetiic MaxLife trans fluid and ZF filter. There was a little sludge and clutch contaminate mixture on the drain pan magnet but very minimal. I never really test drove it just got straight on the highway for a 1-hour trip. It was tight shifting at first and slightly hesitant going 3-4 againbut I will see how it acts after while when I take a drive and then in the morning to see if the same thing is still going on as before. Will post up here tomorrow

 

Similar to what my pan looked like when dropped

 

It still has the same shift problem, although the shifts are now crisp and not as mushy. I do have a brand new coolant leak now. it wasn't anything that I could find from under the hood. it was dripping onto the ground somewhere around the back of the motor. FML. Last thing that I needed.