98 sr5 with auto tranny issue

[Bentspoke]

My V6 98 SR5 with auto tranny is giving me fits lately.
When you first start it and start out on the road it won't shift into second gear without revving pretty high in 1st and when it does go from 2nd to 3rd gear it's like it slips into neutral and just revs. It doesn't seem to do this after the vehicle is driven for a while and warmed up, only when the vehicle is cold. I just had the fluid changed and the problem still persists. The truck has 130K miles on it so I'm hoping this is a fixable issue and the tranny has a lot of life left in it.

Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[Clemsonfan15]

When the engine is cold it is normal for it to rev fairly high, probably close to 3,000. I've never experience the 3rd gear neutral symptom you describe.

 

[Qyota]

When the engine is cold it is normal for it to rev fairly high, probably close to 3,000.

The only time it should do this is the first shift between 2nd and 3rd (after a cold start). And that shift point is ~2600rpm. After that, it should shift normally.

Bentspoke...you may have some sticky passages or valves in your transmission's valve body. Once the fluid warms up, the fluid thins out a bit and the valves are able to open and close normally. That's my guess, since the problem seems to go away when warmed up. Could be any number of things, though...

 

[96743runner]

The only time it should do this is the first shift between 2nd and 3rd (after a cold start). And that shift point is ~2600rpm. After that, it should shift normally.

Bentspoke...you may have some sticky passages or valves in your transmission's valve body. Once the fluid warms up, the fluid thins out a bit and the valves are able to open and close normally. That's my guess, since the problem seems to go away when warmed up. Could be any number of things, though...

I agree.

When cold, mine revs high only when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, which is normal. But if you feel that something is wrong with your tranny take it in to have it checked out. Hopefully you can solve the problem (if there's any) before it gets worse.

 

[Slippery24]

Had similar issue with my 99 Limited. It would slip into neutral when I came to a stop for no reason. I had to throw in reverse and back to drive to get back into gear? It did this several times a day. I guess its not the same problem you are having but took it to tranny shop and they couldn't find anything wrong. He suggested putting in Lucas Stop Slip Transmission Treatment. Put that in and I have not experienced that problem since, at all, for over a year now. He swears by that stuff. It worked for mine. Might want to try it. It's about $12-$15 bucks-well worth it in comparison to a new tranny.

 

[jim984runner]

http://www.seafoamsales.com/ (trans tune)

i would try this first i have used the motor treatment on my truck and small diesels and even 2cycle engines and has yet to fail me so i would bet on the trans tune also