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uh oh - auto trans problem

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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 08:42 PM
  #1  
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uh oh - auto trans problem

uh oh.. it's my turn for a transmission problem.

I've got an 4R100, 2001 with 239,000 miles. Today it started having trouble getting into Drive. The shifter seems to be working fine, but Drive doesn't get the transmission into a gear. When I move the lever to Gear 1, I get a pulsing attempt of the truck to move into gear as I give it gas. At about 5-10 mph it stops slipping and then I can move the lever into Drive for normal operation. Everything works fine until I move the lever again.

This happened about 5 times today, and 2-3 times it worked perfectly. Reverse/Neutral/Park always work as expected.

I'm not knowledgeable on transmissions. Anyone have any ideas for me to try.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 09:11 PM
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HD Rider's Avatar
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Does not sound good.
Maybe Mark will have an answer for you soon.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 09:39 PM
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I know it didn't feel good in my stomach the first time it happened this morning.

Other notes. The fluid level checks fine and I don't think I have any transmission leaks. The orange light on the shifter stays OFF.

Can't I just tap that thing will a little hammer while my fingers are crossed?
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 06:52 AM
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If that's the original trans with 239K on the clock, then you got a good life out of it. I'm sure that comment doesn't help much. I agree, you may have some internal issues.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 07:37 AM
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I see that I fat fingered my mileage. I only have 229,100. I'm sure that changes your answer Chris.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 07:43 AM
  #6  
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Not really, I'd say anything over 150K on the stocker is a gift.....Some more some less but 229K is a good life.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 07:44 AM
  #7  
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Get your pennies in order because it sounds like you will be doing a rebuild. I think it is giving you plenty of signs that it needs to go to the Doctor.

If you ask who to bring it to, look in my sig and you will see BTS. Thats my thoughts on this.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by rb8612
I see that I fat fingered my mileage. I only have 229,100. I'm sure that changes your answer Chris.

Mine was fried at 107,000..... but I did push it hard (and still plan to), that is why my cash went to....... Lead Hill
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Brother Les
Mine was fried at 107,000.....

but I did push it hard (and still plan to), that is why my cash went to....... Lead Hill
Fried from what? Mine was done at 55K because of the diode.

Cash? What's that? I heard it was some green papery stuff but it's been so long I forgot. Can you send me a sample of yours?
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Fried from what? Mine was done at 55K because of the diode.

Cash? What's that? I heard it was some green papery stuff but it's been so long I forgot. Can you send me a sample of yours?
Burned out my upper gears and OD, pulling a 30 camper and flying at 75mph for 100s of miles at a time.

Debits/Credits.... no green paper, only plastic.

It may be time for 'rb8612' to start counting the pennies.


but in the end he will need a couple of bales.

 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 03:08 PM
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Hey, I paid with cash when I went to Lead Hill. They kind of went when I pulled the money out. I don't have a personal credit card, only one for my business. lol
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 03:40 PM
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Sounds about right, my last two 4r100's gave up the ghost between 230-240k.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by rb8612
I see that I fat fingered my mileage. I only have 229,100. I'm sure that changes your answer Chris.
229K, Oh that's different...

Sorry but if fluid levels are good and not burnt, then you may have bigger issues that may require a teardown and rebuild.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 09:44 PM
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dont just rebuild, upgrade!

Well the tranny probably needs rebuildng, im no tranny tech but I'd say its on its way out. Now in talking to the local dealership they told me a fomoco reman would be null and void on warranty terms without replacing the tranny cooler and radiator, why you ask? because obviously they know something i didnt. I had my tranny rebuilt for the third time in the last 3 years and what i did this time was new radiator and tranny cooler as well as a B&M remote mount filter. I know now after the extra roughly 600 dollars I have pretty much ensured a better tranny life. I also upgraded to the 6.0 cooler and I am so far very happy. I am also lucky because the shop that rebuilt me last time charged me 1350 for a full rebuild 3 months out of warranty, new radiator, tranny cooler and remote filter came out of my pocket. They covered the torque converter, rebuild kit with all solenoids. I paid the 1350 for them to R&R it, rebuild it, install radiator, remote filter, and cooler as well as the cost of a new serpentine and its install. All in all i think it went well.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by bigdummyford
Well the tranny probably needs rebuildng, im no tranny tech but I'd say its on its way out. Now in talking to the local dealership they told me a fomoco reman would be null and void on warranty terms without replacing the tranny cooler and radiator, why you ask? because obviously they know something i didnt.

I had my tranny rebuilt for the third time in the last 3 years and what i did this time was new radiator and tranny cooler as well as a B&M remote mount filter. I know now after the extra roughly 600 dollars I have pretty much ensured a better tranny life. I also upgraded to the 6.0 cooler and I am so far very happy. I am also lucky because the shop that rebuilt me last time charged me 1350 for a full rebuild 3 months out of warranty, new radiator, tranny cooler and remote filter came out of my pocket. They covered the torque converter, rebuild kit with all solenoids. I paid the 1350 for them to R&R it, rebuild it, install radiator, remote filter, and cooler as well as the cost of a new serpentine and its install. All in all i think it went well.
Brian at BTS was supposed to have said it was OK to flush the 6.0 cooler. IDK. Mine was dumped after 1 month of service because the diode killed the trans. I don't want to take the chance. Besides, looking at your sig, you are lucky they will even consider giving you a warranty since you have definitely modded the truck.

Never heard about replacing the radiator for a trans rebuild. Why is that? Can't they flush the radiator?

How much did all the rebuilds cost you?
 
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