46RE Tranny Problems...

2979 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Patent Pending, Dec 23, 2005

Patent Pending

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2005

I'm having some tranny issues, and need some input...

Yesterday it started feeling like it was slipping or starting in a gear other than 1st. Today, I checked the fluid and it was REALLY LOW. I put in 1 bottle of Lucas Tranny Fix (about 3/4qt) and 2.5 bottles of synthetic ATF+4. All in all, it took about 3.25qts. That seemed to fix it once it was completely full. It was fine for a couple hours, and was acting normally.

Now, I left to stop at my buddy's house, and it is doing the same thing it was before. Lags really bad until it shifts, then it seems fine. The shift feels firm, and there are no noises. Now here is the kicker, I only feel it shift once, and it ends up at about 1500rpm at 50mph, so that means it must be starting in 3rd and shifting into OD. Checked the fluid again (running in N) and it is still full.

Why wouldn't I have 1st and 2nd??? I tried to pull it down into 1st, but my linkage won't quite let me get it into 1st. I had trouble with the linkage coming loose once before, so I'll try to check that tomorrow, and see if everything is alright there.

Even if the linkage is screwed up again, I still don't understand why it would be starting in 3rd gear when in D. What happened to 1st and 2nd??? They worked fine earlier today after I added the fluid. Everything was good until after I put it into 4wd to test the t-case for noises after installing the new u-joint, took it out, and parked it for about an hour or so. Same thing yesterday, after parking it for an hour or so I suddenly didn't have 1st (and possibly 2nd). Anybody have any guesses???

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Mr Joe

· #2 · Nov 30, 2005

I don't like the Lucus for the 46RE... It may be nothing, but my tranny acted up shortly after using it.

It must be real dead "off the line" if it's starting in 3rd. I'd get my linkage fixed and try it manual. If it works in manual the trouble may be in the valvebody.

:baby:

BR

· #3 · Nov 30, 2005

mine is the same way. from a dead stop, it will slip and slip...until it like catches then it launches like crazy. then it shifts fine, no noises, tc locks and unlocks correctly. fluid is fine. if i manually put it into 2, it will go perfectly with no slipping. its just 1st that is not working all the time.

Patent Pending

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 30, 2005

That is what I'm thinking Mr. Joe, I think the valve body is sticking or something. I'm gonna double check the linkage and see what the deal is there tomorrow. That Lucas stuff was THICK. It seemed fine after adding it though.

I'm really hoping it either cures itself, or is something simple. I really don't wanna pull the tranny and drop $1500+ on rebuilding it the right way.

Hopefully Chris (V10sport) will chime in. I'm not sure what else controls the 1-2 gears on this tranny besides the valve body though. Possibly some check balls or something. :dunno::

Mr Joe

· #5 · Nov 30, 2005

Are you guys running shift kits?? With a clean valvebody and a mild kit mine feels tight. When I had trash in the valvebody it seemed sluggish almost like a slip.

:baby:

Patent Pending

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 30, 2005

Nope, mine is stock. It was rebuilt before I bought the truck, but that was just a standard rebuild as far as I know.

Glenshadow

· #7 · Nov 30, 2005

Just to vouch for Lucas Tranny Stuff....

I used it in my 46RE tranny after rebuild and had zero problems.

I just put sum in my car's tranny to hopefully improve the slight problems on COLD days.

Tranny shop told me it is good stuff to use, even after the rebuild because it helps keep the fluid in good shape. Just like a product called Lube Guard.

Haven't seen a problem yet with a tranny that had an additive in it.

*edit*

Oh yeah.. and when this 4L60E for the Yota gets rebuild.. first thing to go in post fluid is a bottle of Lucas.

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cj ford

· #8 · Nov 30, 2005

its a dodge thing.... :rotfl:

Patent Pending

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 30, 2005

Yeah, I know... I know. Dodge transmissions suck a$$. If I have to end up rebuilding it, it will get quite a few upgrades. I'm hoping to prolong that process until it is warm again though. :wall:

Patent Pending

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 30, 2005

Seems to be perfectly fine today. Not sure what the deal with this thing is. Maybe I should do a filter and fliud change again or something. I might try to do that this weekend. I might do ball joints this weekend too. We'll see. Friggin' Dodge trucks. :cuss: :x:

BR

· #11 · Nov 30, 2005

i do have a shift kit. i wonder if there is stuff in the valve body. there was a fair amount of clutch material or some material in teh pan when i changed the fluid, and i wonder if it is in the valve body causing issues. sometimes it will work fine from a dead stop, and other times it slips, slips, and then you can feel it kick in. i'm not having it rebuilt again, i'll buy a new truck.

Patent Pending

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 1, 2005

Here's what I have found with this. It wants to do it if the truck is cold now. It has done it twice again (last night leaving school, and this morning leaving for work). This is what I did both times, and it worked. I come to a complete stop, put the truck in park, and shut it off. I immediately restart it, drop it in neutral for a second or two, and give it a couple revs. Pull it back in drive, and everything is fine.

This makes me think that either the pump is going bad (or is leaky), or that there is a sticky solenoid or other electronic issues. I'll keep you guys updated though.

BR

· #13 · Dec 3, 2005

that is what i had to do to mine before it finally crapped out completely last time. it would just shift down into like third driving down the road. i would have to pull over, shut it off, wait a second, restart and then go again. this time around, revving it up does get it to go into gear, or start moving. i hate these things.

rgunn1

· #14 · Dec 20, 2005

Updates?... After my little escapade last weekend, my tranny will not go anywhere in "D", I can feel it start to load up as if it wants to, but nothing (same as if I try to start in "2"). If I put it in "1" it takes a second but it gets rolling. If I shift it into "2" from "1" (or "D" from "2") it will shift. It does however make a whining noise while driving in "D".

Anybody got any ideas? :baby:

hieneken49

· #15 · Dec 20, 2005

buy a new one

:

Patent Pending

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 23, 2005

Update, it is throwing codes for the governor pressure switch, so I might try to replace that and see what happens. Not sure of the location or plug type just yet though.

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