Trans or Torque Converter???

[PatrickStapler]

My ‘99 has 316K miles on the clock. Recently the trans started making some weird noises. Over a few weeks period it started getting slow to shift into R and D. After engaged it shifted and drove fine. After a few weeks of that it finally stopped pulling. It will now only barely creep when excessively revving the engine. I dropped the pan today and the fluid is very dirty. The screen is very dirty. There are no large pieces of metal. There is a very thick coating on all of the magnets. Is this a trans failure or a torque converter failure?

 

[plcfcng]

Wash or change the filter clean out the pan don't for get to put the magnets back in put the filter in and reattach the pan. I do this all with a inch pound torque wrench to make sure you don't strip anything out. (Inch pound T-wrench cheap at Harbor Freight or the money) . Refill with Valvoline Dextron Transmission fluid. Timmy has a video on a complete fluid transfer do this. This may fix your problem if it does not your only out the cost of fluid and your time better part of a day. If this doesn't work your looking a putting in another Transmission. Worth a shot:lmao: get the fluid at Walmart it's cheaper there

 

[gamefreakgc]

Hard to say. If you over-extended the fluid to the point where it lost its heat transfer ability and ability to lubricate it could be anything. Give it fresh fluid filled to the correct marks (the most accurate is the HOT mark on the dipstick when running) and see how it runs. Do you have any Check Engine Lights on for shift solenoids?

 

[PatrickStapler]

Yes it had codes for shift solenoids. I have a used transmission that supposedly only has 59K miles on it. The internals and the screen do look very clean compared to mine. I suppose I could swap the solenoids to my trans, flush the system, install the new screen I purchase and give it a test before I go any further with the tear down.

 

[brillo_76]

Oh boy. Sounding like You were starving the transmission for fluid. With the magnets and filter extremely dirty the fluid cant flow thus it most likely got extremely hot. Quite possible your Torque converter fins bent as well. Did you ever see the transmission light come on for the fluid being extremely hot? Those times is when your TC can warp.


Honestly hard to say what you got until you do what the other suggested get the screen changed magnets clean and new fluid in the system to see how the transmission functions.

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[spartacus]

swap out the bad transmission with the good one you have

 

[Bad Luck]

Yes it had codes for shift solenoids. I have a used transmission that supposedly only has 59K miles on it. The internals and the screen do look very clean compared to mine. I suppose I could swap the solenoids to my trans, flush the system, install the new screen I purchase and give it a test before I go any further with the tear down.

I wouldn't swap solenoids. You run the risk of fouling those solenoids if your current transmission has metal pieces in it

 

[plcfcng]

wash the filter put fresh fluid in it using the Timmy video. If you want to go cheaper walmart has there store brand of Dextron there are other that have some secret sauce they use that works in some cases. :bathbaby:

 

[jlaho]

I think you mentioned that you already changed your fluid, but if you still have your old fluid, or you're able to run the transmission with new fluid, then consider sending in an oil sample for analyses. Its a cheap method to help diagnose the true issue.

Good luck!

 

[PatrickStapler]

Never changed the fluid. Was advised against it by a local transmission shop due to the miles on the truck. Also, I never received any warnings on the dash regarding the trans or trans temp. Rarely used for towing...at least by me.

 

[gamefreakgc]

From what you've shared, I think you have two paths forward:

1. Try to fix and revive the existing transmission. Solenoids are easy to remove and replace (one 10 mm bolt and wire clip), do 2-3 drain and fills which do not risk harming the transmission. That involves just draining the pan and filling it back up through the dipstick tube. Drive for a couple of miles, come back and do it again. Your only cost will be the new fluid however it's not a guaranteed fix if the issue is more than just solenoids and you might find yourself also doing number 2.

2. Swap transmissions with your used unit. This is a lot more involved and a transmission jack would be essential if you are doing it alone. The cost would be more to rent or purchase a trans jack and new fluid (don't use the old fluid in the transmission without draining it due to water contamination). Is also a much larger time investment. I've pulled and replaced transmissions before and in theory it's not difficult but the wiring harness is a complete nightmare to remove on some vehicles as well as the 12 o'clock bellhousing bolt. If you are 4WD you have the torque converter to contend with as well.

 

[thegipper]

Replace the filter and do 3 drain/fills. You could also remove the solenoids and spray some brake cleaner on them to clean out any gunk that is built up in/on them. The filter cannot be cleaned properly as the screen runs the entire length of the filter. You can't spray the screen other than the two small openings (I cut my old filter apart after "cleaning it" and 75%+ was still plugged up).

I would take the 75 dollar gamble on a filter and some fluid to see if the tranny can be saved. If not, swap in the spare you have. I've done it twice, it's really not that bad especially if you have a helper. You'll definitely need a tranny jack and a bunch of long extensions and a swivel for the top bell housing bolts. Other than that, basic hand tools is all that is needed. Ratcheting wrenches come in handy for the 4 bolts that hold the inspection cover on. A helper is definitely recommended when its time to remove the tranny and push the new one in place.

PS. Changing fluid on a high mileage unit will never hurt the transmission. Continuing to run old ass burnt fluid will 100% destroy a transmission every time. What is not recommended is to use a power flush style machine to change the fluid. Just do a series of drain and fills or do a complete fluid exchange using the transmission itself.

 

[thegipper]

If you are 4WD you have the torque converter to contend with as well.

I believe he meant to say transfer case to deal with. I just left it in place when swapping trannys the two times I did it.

Once the tranny is off, just swap it over to your spare.

 

[brillo_76]

Replace the filter and do 3 drain/fills. You could also remove the solenoids and spray some brake cleaner on them to clean out any gunk that is built up in/on them. The filter cannot be cleaned properly as the screen runs the entire length of the filter. You can't spray the screen other than the two small openings (I cut my old filter apart after "cleaning it" and 75%+ was still plugged up).

I would take the 75 dollar gamble on a filter and some fluid to see if the tranny can be saved. If not, swap in the spare you have. I've done it twice, it's really not that bad especially if you have a helper. You'll definitely need a tranny jack and a bunch of long extensions and a swivel for the top bell housing bolts. Other than that, basic hand tools is all that is needed. Ratcheting wrenches come in handy for the 4 bolts that hold the inspection cover on. A helper is definitely recommended when its time to remove the tranny and push the new one in place.

PS. Changing fluid on a high mileage unit will never hurt the transmission. Continuing to run old ass burnt fluid will 100% destroy a transmission every time. What is not recommended is to use a power flush style machine to change the fluid. Just do a series of drain and fills or do a complete fluid exchange using the transmission itself.

Agree 100% been trying to get folks to realize their dirty fluid full of particles does more damage. Best to change filter and exchange 3 gallons of fluid.

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[PatrickStapler]

Thought I would update this thread to close it out. I’ll caveat my statements by saying this may or may not be the solution for everyone, but it was for me. So as I stated I purchased a used transmission with a supposed 56K miles. I got halfway through the removal of my trans and starting thinking ...usually a dangerous thing. Anyway, I decided to swap the shift solenoids from the used transmission to mine, install a new screen, and flush the system. Well...it worked. It shifts and drives as if nothing was ever wrong. Couldn’t be happier. So now it’s up for sell. New owner will get the used transmission with the truck...just in case.