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Intermittent Stalling when putting in reverse

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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 02:06 PM
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Intermittent Stalling when putting in reverse

Well, I hate to start a new thread that has probably been covered somewhere. Truck has been running very well. I have discussed some idle issues with "Madmatador" in his thread, but that is an ongoing deal.

Issue is that my truck started stalling when I put it in Reverse. What it does exactly is it surges and dies. It does not do it all the time and will start right back up and then go into R and back up no problem, but it did it to me 4 times this morning while parallel parking (spot was small...Southern CA)

Is this common and is there a common fix, or is it chasing down 5 different things? I am going to check my IPR and ICP this weekend as far as the tin nut and general cleaning. I hate really random stuff like this. As always, thanks for the input!!
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 02:26 PM
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Man, you have some gremlins in that rig!
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 02:43 PM
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Yeesh! Don't say that out loud!!

I am not too worried about it. It hasn't been hacked and tuned, but something tells me the PO just drove the **** out of it and didn't do too much maint.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 04:40 PM
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I'm just thinking out loud here so don't mind me, maybe someone else will chime in off of this.

is there Any way it could be a range sensor or speed sensor or somthing? Seems like I recall a case where when somthing was moved one way or the other that it would cause a stall. But for the life of me I can't remember what it was, I do remember it was a long time ago before I had much mechanical skill (oh wait who am I kidding, I don't have alot more now! HAHAHA jk) I do remember it was on an OBS truck but not a powerstroke.

Hopefully I'm not adding more confusion but maybe some one will read this and what you have wrote so far and it will point you in a direction towards a solution.

Or maybe it will be complete jibberish which in that case please ignore this post. haha
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by madMatador78
is there Any way it could be a range sensor or speed sensor or somthing?
Neither the range sensor nor the speed sensor could cause a stall.

Often a stall in reverse is caused by the torque converter clutch drifting on. That can be caused by low trans fluid, a loose/missing/cracked internal filter, leaking internal seals, worn pump, or by a failing torque converter.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
Neither the range sensor nor the speed sensor could cause a stall.

Often a stall in reverse is caused by the torque converter clutch drifting on. That can be caused by low trans fluid, a loose/missing/cracked internal filter, leaking internal seals, worn pump, or by a failing torque converter.
Well, that is what I was hoping was NOT the case. I guess I'll be checking my trans fluid this evening. Mark, are there any other signs if this is the case? It drives normal, shifts where it should, doesn't slip, and pulls hard when I need it to. Should I be looking for any other behavior with this kind of problem? Thanks!
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 08:04 PM
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If whatever is causing it gets worse it will start doing it in drive, too.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 08:23 PM
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Do you have a chip? We might have discussed this before but mine does it a little. When I first installed the chip it did it a lot, like stopping for a red light it would die. I had the tuner look into it and its better now but still jumps around in RPM's when I first go to idle, then smooths out.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
Neither the range sensor nor the speed sensor could cause a stall.

Often a stall in reverse is caused by the torque converter clutch drifting on. That can be caused by low trans fluid, a loose/missing/cracked internal filter, leaking internal seals, worn pump, or by a failing torque converter.
Thanks for setting me straight Mark! Like I said it was a while ago and memories were sketchy. Just trying to get some wheels turning, hope we can point him to a solution!

Happy weekend everyone.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
If whatever is causing it gets worse it will start doing it in drive, too.
So, does this mean a new TC or an entire transmission? I won't have the $$ to do a new transmission until the Spring. Timing on this is terrible, but isn't that always the case?

Originally Posted by oldbird1965
Do you have a chip? We might have discussed this before but mine does it a little. When I first installed the chip it did it a lot, like stopping for a red light it would die. I had the tuner look into it and its better now but still jumps around in RPM's when I first go to idle, then smooths out.
No tuner Glenn. I wish that were it!
 
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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by BBslider001
So, does this mean a new TC or an entire transmission?
That depends. Is the problem low fluid, loose/missing/cracked filter, worn seals, worn pump, or a bad converter?

I sure wouldn't replace an entire transmission just because the fluid was low, or the filter had cracked.
 
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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
That depends. Is the problem low fluid, loose/missing/cracked filter, worn seals, worn pump, or a bad converter?

I sure wouldn't replace an entire transmission just because the fluid was low, or the filter had cracked.
Mark, thanks for your wealth of info. I really appreciate it.

I am going to get out today or tomorrow before I drive it around any more and check the fluid. if that is good, I'll pull the pan and check the filter. Who knows when the PO replaced it? I am working with a badly broken foot, so getting around is a little iffy. I'll let ya know what I find! Hopefully low fluid, which may a big possibility since the rear seal is leaking at the yoke.
 
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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 01:19 PM
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Remember to check your fluid warm. Doesnt mean anything with the transmission cold.
 
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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 01:22 PM
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Was just going to ask! Will do! Should I drive it around first and go through all the gears? Alos, I ahve been reading different articles on what kind of fluid, but they are all 3-5 years old. Is Mercon V the fluid to use or is there something else I need to get?
 
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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 10:57 PM
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Mark, I checked it after driving it to Wal-Mart and found it to be barely reading on the dipstick! I feel kinda dumb now. I bought a gallon of the correct ATF fluid and added about 2 quarts over a few cycles of checking it. All I can say is thank you!! You saved me and schooled me a little on this tranny. I feel like I gained some knowledge and peace of mind.

I put it in reverse numerous to get it to stall and did not. I tried on a hill and various other times and it doesn't surge or act like it wants to stall like before. It goes into gear much quicker and smoother. It also shifts much smoother. I had my neighbor with the same year and setup tell me, "oh these transmissions are supposed to shift hard...that's how you know it's working"....um, ok. I am not totally sure if it needs any more fluid, but it is a big improvement. I'll check it again tomorrow. Thanks again!! Cheers!
 
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