Transmission won't shift when it's cold
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New User
Joined: Oct 2009
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Transmission won't shift when it's cold
Seems like the tranny won't shift into first, it kinda gets hung when it's cold. Once the tranny warms up it upshifts and downshifts fine. Any ideas?
I have heard stories of trannies that worked fine (well at least worked ok) and never had the fluid changed and as soon as some one bought it and changed the fluid and filter it went to crap. Myth?
It's an 86 F150 302 EFI 4x4 with 115,000 miles on it. I just got it last weekend and am working on getting it more reliable.
I have heard stories of trannies that worked fine (well at least worked ok) and never had the fluid changed and as soon as some one bought it and changed the fluid and filter it went to crap. Myth?
It's an 86 F150 302 EFI 4x4 with 115,000 miles on it. I just got it last weekend and am working on getting it more reliable.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
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From: high desert
What's the temp. where your at? If it's cold don't worry about it. Just let the truck warm up cuz you possibly have a trans cooler and it will take longer for the fluid to heat up so the trans can operate properly
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New User
Joined: Oct 2009
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It is about 35 degrees in the mornings. When I drive it a couple miles it will shift normally, but for the first couple whenever I come to a stop i have to kinda goose it a little then it will clunk into gear.
Any opinions on if I should do a filter/fluid change? Or is it better to leave it all crappy so the gunk holds the tranny together?
Any opinions on if I should do a filter/fluid change? Or is it better to leave it all crappy so the gunk holds the tranny together?
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
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From: high desert
IT MIGHT BE A GOOD THING TO SERVICE THE THING. Don't believe that bull about gunk holding stuff together. If you or someone else does it properly then it'll be fine. Just remember to change the filter and tighten everything back properly. At least if you change it you'll know when it was done last and have an idea when it will need to be done again. It's easy to do and you should have no problem. And yes that is cold enough to affect the shifting of it. It might do it after the service to but it just needs to get warm. It's not a problem, just the way it is.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 28
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what was the outcome with it?
I know its an old post but im having the same problem but it wont shift even when its warm. Just would like to know what happened with yours
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Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Exmore, VA
Can you get 2nd gear manually? If not, then you may have a problem with the front band.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: abilene kansas
The C6 in My '80 does this, when it is below 32 degrees.When I put it in reverse,or drive it takes about 30-45 seconds before it will go. If above 32 it goes in gear right away.It was serviced last December. Trans works well otherwise. Fluid level ok
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: North Western New Jersey
If so, you have a failing forward clutch seal. Don't worry too too much, I drive mine daily and it's been like this since november-ish. The fluid leaks around the cold seal. Once it warms up (and yes 30 seconds is crazily enough to warm up the seal) the seal swells and seals again. Now I could be wrong, you may have another problem with a similar symptom but do a little more research on the c6 I believe this is a common problem.
Hope this helps...
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
Glad it's fixed. The modulator is a common problem on many transmissions.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: abilene kansas
does this only happen in 'drive'? Mine does the same thing, only in drive. Stone cold in the dead of winter I can jump in and throw her into reverse and I'm on the move. Back out of the driveway into the middle of the street throw it into drive and nothin'.... a good 40-45 seconds go by when it's really cold and then eventually goes into drive.
If so, you have a failing forward clutch seal. Don't worry too too much, I drive mine daily and it's been like this since november-ish. The fluid leaks around the cold seal. Once it warms up (and yes 30 seconds is crazily enough to warm up the seal) the seal swells and seals again. Now I could be wrong, you may have another problem with a similar symptom but do a little more research on the c6 I believe this is a common problem.
Hope this helps...
If so, you have a failing forward clutch seal. Don't worry too too much, I drive mine daily and it's been like this since november-ish. The fluid leaks around the cold seal. Once it warms up (and yes 30 seconds is crazily enough to warm up the seal) the seal swells and seals again. Now I could be wrong, you may have another problem with a similar symptom but do a little more research on the c6 I believe this is a common problem.
Hope this helps...