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"Stuck" in 2nd gear?

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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 11:08 AM
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"Stuck" in 2nd gear?

This regards my '97 4R70W automatic.

When the engine is cold, and I leave the house, it will usually stay in 2nd gear for about 3/4 of a mile until it shifts to 3rd. It will shift just fine for the rest of the day too. It only happens when the truck has been sitting overnight, or for a long (8+ hrs) period of time.

Sometime's, I can floor it to about 4,000RPM and let off, and it will shift into 3rd and be fine the rest of the day too.

Its more of a nuissance than anything....it's kind of annoying at 50+ mph to still be in 2nd gear 3,500rpm....
 
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 11:11 AM
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How many miles on the truck and when's the last time the tranny has had a flush/fill? A good fluid change is probably all you need. That's assuming you've already checked the level of the fluid.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 11:56 AM
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Sounds like somehting is starting to gum up, in the valve body, perhaps. Once the fluid warms up, it thins and is freeing the sticky component.

Fresh fluid might be your only help before it needs a rebuild.

Personally, I'd flush the fluid and add a bottle of Lucas tranny fix or Lubeguard.

Steve
 
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 12:21 PM
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The truck has 87K miles on it. The previous owner did a flush/fill every 30K miles since new. I bought it at 80K miles, and planned to do a flush at 90K.

I checked the fluid level a week or so ago and it was fine. I'll add some of that Lucas treatment when I can. I just can swing the money for a flush right now...I have to put an exhaust on the truck this month for inspection. It has a nasty leak around the manifold/collector.

Thanks guys....any more thoughts would be appreciated!
 
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