[pato castro]

Now i've an important (for me) question: on the highway, in overdrive, the engine seems to disconnect from the transmission in stages, like in a manual trans you press and depress the clutch constantly, i don't know what can be, but i think the torque convertor is in bad shape. Make a diagnosis on the dealer would cost me about $300, so any help will be appreciated. (i need the money for gas,illing it costs $60!!).

 

[79W-150]

Gonna need a little more input... Is it clunking/grinding/making some sort of noise when it "disconnects"? It can't disconnect because they're bolted together really well.

Another thing to check is your transmission fluid level. Turn the truck on and let it get warm (operating tempature), or go drive around for a little bit. Come home or where ever, stop the truck but leave it idle in park. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off, then put it back in and wait about 5 seconds. Pull it out again and see where it reads.

It should be at the full hot mark and the fluid should be bright red/pink. If its low add some fluid, and if its really dark (like a brownish red color) you should have your transmission flushed and the filter changed.

How many miles do you have on your truck too?

-Chris

 

[JasonB]

The torque converter is a definate probability. That or the lock up selenoid (if your truck is new enough for a lcokup type converter) is going out.

 

[marshmanjr]

That is exactly it. We have a 87 Dodge Ram work truck that had/has a bad torque converter and at high speeds it would do the same things. Just go and get yourself a new converter and buy a Haynes Repair manual, they tell you the step by step on how to do it. Just don't do what i did a assemble the whole thing and start driving it a wonder why the truck won't shift out of first. My stupid self forgot to put in a fiction band back in.

 

[TUNIS]

It could also be something simple like low transmission fluid??? Sometimes the most complicated problems have simple fixes... :

 

[pato castro]

Thetruck is a 2000 model, andwhen this happens,there are no clunks or noises of any kind, it justs rev higher and then stabilizes in a matter of a second or two.
Thanks for the help, i'm gonna check it just now.

 

[Bill_L]

sounds to me like the lock up of the converter is letting go and then catching.
If the truck is that new take it to the dealer it should be under warrenty.

 

[pato castro]

In this country, ANY modification like bigger tires, lift, etc, voids the warranty, anyway, there's a specific make of torque converter that i should consider, or i have to buy the original replacement? there aren't upgraded models? Do you know if mopar makes them and how it will cost?

 

[unclemark369]

Thats a load of whooey... You can super charge your motor and not void your warranty. The delaership will say other but it is their burden of proof that your mods caused the failure. That law is actually posted on one of the supershargers web sites. Maybe someone knows a link to it.

 

[Alphacowboy]

Dude, I have a 2000 model 1500 Ram. I have had the same problem... rebuilt at 27,000 because of a failed front pump and TCC lock up fail. It is back in the shop again for the same damn problem. DO NOT LET THE DEALER WIN! Bigger tires is a load of BS! I have 285/75/16's on mine... yes it might effect your shift points but it will not damage a tranny... if you are running 35"s or larger and have not swapped gears, then maybe. But anyway... tell that dealer to fix it... if they wont call Diamler-Chrysler and file a complaint.. and bring it to another dealer! Even ask them if you can bring it to a different shop if possible.

Check out this link, http://pub6.ezboard.com/ffritzsrampagetechboardgeneralquestions.showMessage?topicID=1385.topic, this is what the dealer has pulled on me... well I finally told them today that I do not want the truck back, and the service advisor actually told me that he will try as hard as he can to get me in to another truck... Like I said.. DO NOT GIVE IN! You paid damn good money for this truck, they should have to fix it! PERIOD!

 

[woody]

Unfortuntely, he doesn't have the Magnussen-Moss act to back him up. Aren't you in South America somewhere? I'm trying to remember from earlier posts...

Anyways, it may just be the converter locking and unlocking as load conditions change, or downshifting to 3rd and then back. Called "hunting", as the transmission needs to be in a lower gear to get enough power, but wants to up-shift to keep mileage up.

What size tires/gears/engine do you have? What speed does it happen at?

 

[Alphacowboy]

I am in Minnesota USA.

 

[woody]

Alpha,

I know YOU are... Patricio however isn't. :

Aaron

 

[Alphacowboy]

DOAH... LOL!

 

[pato castro]

Yes, sorry, i haven't checked this post in a good time. I'm from Chile, and here if you don't make your common maintenance with the Dodge dealer, they void your warranty. They are assuming that if you don't take the truck to the dealer for maintenance, then the work on your truck is not warranted... for an oil change (transmission, engine, and filters) they charge you about $200.
Since is that expensive, almost nobody makes the dealer mantention, so better forgot the warranty. I don't know if they replae parts, even when using bigger tires, etc, but since they void it for not making oil changes with them, maybe is better not to ask.

 

[pato castro]

As for the tranny, it doesn't downshift. The problm seems to be the lock up solenoid of the torque converter, but i haven't checked it yet, because the dealer (again...) charges you about $300 for a diagnosis only!! and don't wanna spent (or throw) the money like this easy.

 

[tas24]

I currently have this same problem with a surge of the tranny at about 45mph. still under warranty they told me it was supposed to do that! the 2nd time they had my truck for 3 days, i have a 3 page receipt on the stuff they did and it still does this, all the other shift points have a great improvement it sjust when the truck goes into lockupbetween 40 -50. they replaced my torque converter, all new seals a new valve body, a clutch kit, flushed the tranny and there is still a surge. right now i have an apponitment in march at another dealer so i'll let you know

 

[Alphacowboy]

sounds stupid... but I have had the same problems... it might actually be not in the tranny.. i will find out tomorrow hopefully if the tranny is the problem... but have them check the intake manifold... it might be your engine doing it and not the tranny at all... just a thought... check this post of mine out... list of the problems I have had and some of what has been fixed.. and not... http://pub6.ezboard.com/ffritzsrampagetechboardgeneralquestions.showMessage?topicID=1385.topic its long... sorry