Transmission Won't Shift When Cold
#11
01-26-2009, 05:50 AM
RE: Transmission Won
ORIGINAL: Urban Panzer
The reason its "holding" on is because the governor in the tranny is likely to be partially blocked up with crud, probably due to lack of servicing, as the box warms up, the oil gets thinner and can manage to get around ok, so the box shifts as normal. Poor condition (old / burnt / contaminated) ATF fluid will have the same symptoms as well.
I would suggest you change the box fluid and filter with a "cheaper" fluid, and run the truck for 2 or 3 hundred miles. Then chnage the oil and filter again with a higher spec / proper fluid.
ATF fluid is detergent based, so it will "clean" the box out, how ever quite often the problem can get worse as more "free" dirt cleaned / loosened by the new fluid blocks it up even further. So be prepared to need a new tranny, But its DEF worth trying a fluid / filter change flush first..
The reason its "holding" on is because the governor in the tranny is likely to be partially blocked up with crud, probably due to lack of servicing, as the box warms up, the oil gets thinner and can manage to get around ok, so the box shifts as normal. Poor condition (old / burnt / contaminated) ATF fluid will have the same symptoms as well.
I would suggest you change the box fluid and filter with a "cheaper" fluid, and run the truck for 2 or 3 hundred miles. Then chnage the oil and filter again with a higher spec / proper fluid.
ATF fluid is detergent based, so it will "clean" the box out, how ever quite often the problem can get worse as more "free" dirt cleaned / loosened by the new fluid blocks it up even further. So be prepared to need a new tranny, But its DEF worth trying a fluid / filter change flush first..
The First change I plan to change the filter, and drain through the drain plug.
So Should I do a really good flush getting all the old stuff out by unhooking the cooler lines, the second time?
And the other problem is that if I need a new tranny, I'm not getting one... I'd end up with a different car, as I so not think I would have the skills to replace it, are the risks so great that I should just live with it, since it only happens in the cold? Will it ever get much worse?
#12
01-26-2009, 06:06 AM
RE: Transmission Won
I would just drain, change fluid and filter and drive as mentioned earlier. I would definitely NOT do a flush. That will cause problems. I think dislodging the sludge a little at a time is your best option at this time.
BTW I am not sure what your mechanical skills are but swapping an auto trans is not as difficult as you may think. I would even ask around to get quotes just for a swap if you buy a trans.
Best of luck.
Fred
BTW I am not sure what your mechanical skills are but swapping an auto trans is not as difficult as you may think. I would even ask around to get quotes just for a swap if you buy a trans.
Best of luck.
Fred
#13
01-26-2009, 07:09 AM
RE: Transmission Won
I tried to reply to you some more last night but the forum wouldnt let me.
What you were told about never servicing a auto trans is false, if it were a $500 winter beater, ok, but not on your daily driver.
Change the fluid, drive it for a week and then change the filter. That is a PIA on a DI.
If it still does it after that then you need a new tranny.
You can pick up a used DI trans for $300-$500, have someone install it for you and you are looking to spend a $1,000.
Sounds expensive but it is alot less than a new car.
What you were told about never servicing a auto trans is false, if it were a $500 winter beater, ok, but not on your daily driver.
Change the fluid, drive it for a week and then change the filter. That is a PIA on a DI.
If it still does it after that then you need a new tranny.
You can pick up a used DI trans for $300-$500, have someone install it for you and you are looking to spend a $1,000.
Sounds expensive but it is alot less than a new car.
#14
01-26-2009, 09:45 AM
RE: Transmission Won
Would it be beneficial to replace the filter on both changes, or only the second?
I do not think I will end up getting a new tranny, but if I do I will be installing it myself.
I would end up pulling it off of a discovery in a junkyard so I would get some practice, but if it comes to that, i'm just not sure
It would be cool to do this because I would be able to take the old one apart and learn a couple of things, be able to physically see the problem, etc.
I do not think I will end up getting a new tranny, but if I do I will be installing it myself.
I would end up pulling it off of a discovery in a junkyard so I would get some practice, but if it comes to that, i'm just not sure
It would be cool to do this because I would be able to take the old one apart and learn a couple of things, be able to physically see the problem, etc.
#16
01-26-2009, 12:00 PM
RE: Transmission Won
ORIGINAL: tomfraser
Would it be beneficial to replace the filter on both changes, or only the second?
I do not think I will end up getting a new tranny, but if I do I will be installing it myself.
I would end up pulling it off of a discovery in a junkyard so I would get some practice, but if it comes to that, i'm just not sure
It would be cool to do this because I would be able to take the old one apart and learn a couple of things, be able to physically see the problem, etc.
Would it be beneficial to replace the filter on both changes, or only the second?
I do not think I will end up getting a new tranny, but if I do I will be installing it myself.
I would end up pulling it off of a discovery in a junkyard so I would get some practice, but if it comes to that, i'm just not sure
It would be cool to do this because I would be able to take the old one apart and learn a couple of things, be able to physically see the problem, etc.
You will need to drop the Y-pipe, remove the transcooler lines from the trans all before you can drop the sump from the transmission to even get to the filter.
#17
01-26-2009, 12:56 PM
#18
01-26-2009, 01:07 PM
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RE: Transmission Won
I have to assume that the tranny fluid has never been changed, as no other fluids had been.
This means the filter has probably never been changed.
Is it simple, just a tedious job to change the filter? Should I?
I think that I would need to change the fluid, drive for 2 or 3 days, then change again, since it has not been changed either ever, or for a LONG time
Any thoughts?
Also... what other things could be causing this?
[/quote]
Do a fluid and filter change now and a drain and fill in a week or you may loose your tranny.
As for why it is sticking in 1st. gear, most likely the govenor is sticking, if you are lucky, it may free itself up after a couple of quick fluid changes.
Might consider using Vavolines high mileage Dextron 3 because of your mileage.
#19
01-26-2009, 01:15 PM
RE: Transmission Won
ORIGINAL: Disco Mike
Do a fluid and filter change now and a drain and fill in a week or you may loose your tranny.
As for why it is sticking in 1st. gear, most likely the govenor is sticking, if you are lucky, it may free itself up after a couple of quick fluid changes.
Might consider using Vavolines high mileage Dextron 3 because of your mileage.
Do a fluid and filter change now and a drain and fill in a week or you may loose your tranny.
As for why it is sticking in 1st. gear, most likely the govenor is sticking, if you are lucky, it may free itself up after a couple of quick fluid changes.
Might consider using Vavolines high mileage Dextron 3 because of your mileage.
going to buy the tranny fluid now,
I look at the system and I believe that I will not get all of the fluid out... when I change the fluid the second time should I change the fluid using the cooling lines? Or just get out all I can from the drain and dropping the sump?
I appreciate the replies... i'm learning as I go so every input is greatly appreciated.
#20
01-26-2009, 01:38 PM
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RE: Transmission Won
No,
do a filter change the first time and a couple hundred miles later just do a drain and fill.
Don't do any sort of chemical flush, you have too many miles on the tranny, it will kill it.
Stay away from the tranny lines, you are only going to be able to drain off a little under 6 quarts at a time.
Have doing this stay away from reving up the engine over 3500 rpms, don't want to have the governor to lock up and blow some hard parts.
do a filter change the first time and a couple hundred miles later just do a drain and fill.
Don't do any sort of chemical flush, you have too many miles on the tranny, it will kill it.
Stay away from the tranny lines, you are only going to be able to drain off a little under 6 quarts at a time.
Have doing this stay away from reving up the engine over 3500 rpms, don't want to have the governor to lock up and blow some hard parts.