I've lost 3rd gear with OD on. With it off, it drops to 2. 1 and reverse act very normal. Had exhibited hard shifts to 3 ( bind/ drag but would go in 3 with OD manually) intermitently, then last week did it again, then I lost 3 altogether, it shifts into a false neutral but will drop back to 2 when I turn the OD off, or at lower speed.

Drained the TC, and dropped the pan- worn but unburnt fluid with no shavings or parts in the pan. Retorqued the valve body, cleaned the pan, reinstalled all new fluid in the TC and case. Drove it 10 miles to the parts store (Still in 2) to get codes. Nothing that makes sense came up, just EGR insufficient flow(been there forever), and evap large leak. No tranny codes, nothing it didnt have when it ran well.

Dropped the new fluid, it had picked up a little gunk, but still ok, and the magnetonly had a really thin layer of black stuff on it. Dropped the valve body- very clean, no damage, and the valves all seem to move, maybe one or two a little sticky, but none are stuck. Checked the solenoids, reading 25+/- on A and B shift, 15 on the other. fluid temp module reads ok, but slightly low at 22k.

I'm still going to clean the valves, but any ideas what is going on here? this unit is not that dirty anymore, doesnt get too hot but gets to temp. R,1, and 2 are fine, no slip, no noise, and pulls great. I'm stumped. Help!

 

going through the same thing as you, did all you did, and more. finally found an honest trans mechanic, and here's the true story. the torque converter is bad, and it blew up o/d. yours is farther along, it also blew up 3rd. only cure is a rebuild. I find it hard to part with that kind of money,[$3000], so the truck is sitting for now.

 

thanks Dusty,
Damn I hate to admit defeat on this one, but it makes sense. I'll put it back together, till I find a junkyard replacement, and give it to kid for his15th. I only paid 1700 for it 5 years ago, so it aint worth a real rebuild. The kid n I will be hangin and learning bout trannys and eachother, which is worth its weight in gold.

 

sounds like a good plan, ebay has lots of stuff for it, mabe you can go throu it, and make it right.

 

Funny you mentioned ebay. I went there, and found a reman for 1k shipped and several candidates for pretty cheap. Im hitting the local yards today. I figure at about 1k to 1250 I can get back. Welcome to my summer vacation.

I'll have it together today to just limp it. Luckily, it pulls the boat to the ramp no sweat and I can get stuff around town.

 

How do you know if the TC is going? Does it throw a code?
I recently picked up a '95 with the same transmission. The previous owner didn't tell me the transmission was acting up (couldn't test drive it, no tag). It didn't want to upshift, would downshift with the slightest pressure on gas pedal. Bought a scanner for $27, turned out it was the TPS, a $30 part. Also changed the fluid, the old stuff wasn't that bad. The thing works great now, but shifting into OD it acts differently than the other shifts. A little hesitation, maybe a slight clunk.

 

watch the tach, as your cruising along, it moves up and down 500 rpm when the converter locks/unlocks. mine actually growled/vibrated for a while. trans man says use lucas trans additive, helps prolong things for a while.