Cumminsdude

Ok guys, We had a car accident this morning(my local volunteer ambulalnce squad) and I respoded to it. Heres my problem, I started my truck and didnt wait long to let it warm up because I was in a hurry you know how that is in an emergency. The call was an overturned semi with entrapment so that didn't slow me down any! Anyway when I started her up and drove down the road it would not shift into O/D nor would the TC lock up for a little bit. I tried taking O/D off and then on again and it didnt do anything so I did it again and slowed down and she finally shifted and locked up. Now, I have learned to wait a little bit but I am wondering if that is normal or is something wrong and did I hurt anything? Incase you were wondering it was about 15 degrees out when this happend. It shifts fine now and I haven't noticed any problems but I havent had the truck cooled right off yet to tell if it will do it again. Thanks

BTW, the truck driver wasn't hurt but you never know that until you get on scene. Everyone's fine except his rig. Woulda taken pics but didnt have my camera with me.

Marine

I imagine your amb. is kept indoors? Our attack does the same thing. It is a ford. question is...is that normal, or is it just because of the cold weather?

Mike

Marine

[quote author=fitzer link=board=4;threadid=23352;start=0#msg219311 date=1070749026]
Normal. There's some sort of temp sensor that keeps it out of lock-up until everything warms up.
[/quote]

I meant our brush truck. I know it is normal for ours, but is it normal for his? Meaning is it a common occurence or something that just came up.
Mike

drecu

I believe it's normal because when it's really cold out I know my does exactly as you describe until about 2 min of driving.

DRecu!

farmer dave

I think it is normal. When I have left with my auto and didn't let it warm up it did the same thing. Ran fine when it did warm up.

Cumminsdude

ok good! Well our ambulances are always inside unless they are on a call and the room is kept at about 60 degrees so they arent bad. Too bad their powerjokes!

Shovelhead

Don't sweat it, it's completely normal.
It's Dodge's way of protecting us from ourselves.

Cumminsdude

It's still not good that I just jump in my freezing cold truck and get on her kinda hard. I mean its not like i was spinning the tires and stuff but I was still going like 80mph to get to the scene. I prolly should just take it easy for the first few minutes then think about going a little faster! I guess one time wont hurt it too bad. Now i know for next time.

blackjack

Mine does it almost every morning when it is cold it is kept in an unheated garage . I let it wrm up untill the oil pressure comes up then drive it. I do however baby it untill she starts to warm but I have noticed no O.D. or lockup until she strarts to warm.

Shovelhead

Shift it into neutural as you're sitting there letting the engine warm up for a minute, the Dodge trannys don't circulate fluid in park.
It will help get things moving a little quicker.

Cumminsdude

Ok, cool. Thanks guys.

jigdog

cummins, do you have it plugged in? that should help the engine survive going 80mph @ 15 degees and also partial cover for the radiator to warm up quicker. ;D

Cumminsdude

No, I don't have my truck plugged in because I would need it plugged in all night because you never know when your going to have a call and I dont think my dad would appreciate the electric bill. Although it wouldnt be everynight because I am on break for a month from college and then only on weekends. I just don't think he would like that cause he's always complaining about the electric bill being high!!!! I am looking into getting winter fronts for christmas so we'll see. Maybe I'll try plugging my truck in.....I want to park it in the garage but, then everyone will park in front of me and I wont be able to get out incase of a call. I'll let you know how things go. Thanks

I doubt I could hide the bill or the extension cord from him. The snow may cover up the cord a bit but not the bill!!!

Marine

I plug my truck in all the time, except for weekends when I know I won't be driving the next morning. If I have to go to a call, I take the wife's rig and drive it cold. ;D
Mike