my 2001 auto trans shifts strange.when you turn off the overdrive it shifts from 4th to 2nd then i have to let off the gas to get it to shift to 3rd it sometimes red lines. any help appreciated

 

I also just bought the truck so i dont know how they are suppose to shift . i did some more checking and it seems to shift from 5th to 3rd not 4th to 2nd is this normal?

 

You had it right in your first post 4th to 2nd our trucks are only 4sp autos that "shift" you feel at approx 45mph is the torque converter locking up. some of the 2001's have some type of a diode problem. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in soon and help you out.
How many miles do you have on the truck, do you know if any tranny mauntenance has been done. Tranny oil should be changed every 30k miles. What does you fluid look like is it red or brown, does it smell burned are some of the questions will be asked so be prepared.

 

You don't have a 5th gear, only 4. The usual shift pattern acceleration is 1/2, 2/3, torque converter lock up (feels like a shift), then 3/4. Locking the O/D out should not cause it to drop back into 2nd gear, you should be in 3rd with the torque converter locked. Hows the fluid in your trans?
Welcome to FTE, stick around and we'll get you straightened out and have you spending more money than you ever cared to on your truck

 

I actually have had it for a year. i just thought thats the way they shifted, untill i drove a buddys. ive changed the fluid and trans filter with syn.and put shift kit in. it seemed like the old stuff was ok.130.000 miles

 

I am thinking this:

I don't see any modifications to your vehicle listed in a signature. That usually means that your truck is stock or near stock.

When you get these folks with Brand x,y, or z "custom" tuning saying that their transmissions don't work like yours, they don't realize that they probably don't have the stock base file PCM code anymore. I think they assume that every 99.5-01 truck shifts the same from the factory.

For example, a PMT1 (which most "custom" tuners use in these model year trucks) keeps the torque converter clutch locked (or unlocks for a very short amount of time) during the 4-3 downshift. Most every other PCM code will unlock the torque converter clutch during the downshift for at least 2.5 seconds.....enough to cause a flare in RPMs until the torque converter clutch locks back up.

I believe that you are experiencing this behavior and thinking it's hitting second gear. The "looseness" of the stock torque converter (stall speed) causes the RPMs to shoot sky high when the torque converter clutch is unlocked and the road speed is high in 3rd gear (around 70-74 MPH).

If your transmission has done this for the year that you've owned it and it hasn't changed in severity or frequency, then I vote on programming causing your issue.


Not every PCM code goes 1-2, 2-3, 3rd lockup, then 4th either. A lot of them don't. However, replacing the PCM code that comes stock with one that performs differently (a common thing with "custom tuning") will cause varied results.

 

that very could be what it is. it came with an edge evolution, I have it on the 2 setting,maybe i will contact them,since there local for me. thanks for all the help.

 

I've heard that the Edge does strange stuff to the shifting. I never really got all that into it. Mine with custom tuning goes 1-2 at ~10mph, 2-3 at ~20mph, 3-4 around 35ish, then the TC locks up around 40.

 

do you think i could do a custom progam on mine? it does have that option

 

Disconnect the Edge and see how it shifts. I "had" one on my truck and just used it for the gauges. Wouldn't dream of running it hard on any setting other than "0" or stock. The Edge will toast the trans if you Hoss it much. I took mine off and noticed a shift difference, even on the "0" setting. Mine shifts crisper and there is no flare going into overdrive. I won't be putting it back on !!!!

 

i will try it. it seems to run real good with it. which one would you recomend

 

Most people here like the DP, they are a sponsor and have a link. I'm not much on the chips. I got the Edge free, get what you pay for, and just connected it for the gauges. I do like the little console. After a while it started locking up, tripping the Service Engine Soon lite, causing wierd skips then going back to working. Somebody smarter than me on chips will reply soon. I think my 250 has enough power for what I do with it. I'm not into racing etc. I figure if it won't tow it stock from the factory with the power it has, I probably ought not to be pulling it !!!!! But then again, that's just me. To each his (or her) own.

 

i could probable do it stock. but there's some big mountains around here with up to 10% grade. and i have a 26ft camp trailer. so i like the power.

 

I hear you about the power. It's worth having if you need it, when you need it. Let's see if there are some DP experts lurking that can help you out if it turns out to be the Edge. I have my fingers crossed for you hoping it isn't the transmission !

 

Yeah, try it out a few days without it and see if the shifting is better. If it is, there are several custom tuners out there. You're in GA -- right in DP's back yard, so I'd be going with them. You can sell the Edge to finance the DP on eBay or something.