Tim9712v

I have a 97 CTD with 304k miles on it. The transmission is either a reman'd or new chrysler transmission with roughly 45k miles on it. (per previous owner. I can verify through reciepts) Just last night, after driving 120miles on the highway when I got into town I started expirienceing some seemingly minor problems.

When slowing from highway speeds the transmission is sticking in gear, and today after a little driving it is sticking in gears as well. It doesn't seem to have a rhyme or reason as to when or which gear it will stick in. The most common thing I have noticed is when coming to a complete stop it will stay in 2nd gear. If manual shifted it will go down into 1st. And when manually shifting up from a stop it will, more often than not shift fine. On occasion when going from 2nd to drive it will not go into 3rd. However If I shift it from 2nd to drive a few times it will eventually go in. The torque converter seems to be functioning properly and the transmission has not gotten above 160ish degrees (per autometer gauge with probe mounted in the hot side of the trany cooler lines) nor has the transmission temp ever gone above 200 in the past 20k miles or so.

I feel like this is a solenoid, or possibly some sort of electrical issue, but I have very little expirience with auto trannys. I Have a used DTT valvebody in my possession and justh haven't gotten around to installing it. Cany anyone make some recommendations as to the next step?

Also if anyone could recommend a shop in the Wilmington NC area that would be able to look at it, diagnose it, and if the problem isn't too serious (ie. complete tranny failure) install my DTT VB I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Tim

badme

The transmission in your truck has an electronic govenor. The used valve body should have the electronic's included with it, if that is the case changing the valve body will more than likely fix it. A transmission shop should do the diagnose and swap for under $250.00

Tim9712v

Can anyone confirm that it could be the governor? I do not want to go through the trouble to install a new VB on a bad transmission.

durasmack

Check the adjustment on the TV cable... that may be causing you an issue

Tim9712v

Is there a way to bench test the all the solenoids? I have a used DTT valve body and want to make sure everything electrical checks out. can i measure the resistance or something to check them? I spent today on the phone, and think I am going to try and find a decent repair manual to fix this myself. Anyone have any recommendations?
Any experience with the ATSG manuals?

badme

ATSG manuals are excellent. You can power up the solenoids with jumper wires and if they click they should be good. The proper way to test them is in a special tester, but the jumper wire way works good. Are you doing this job on a lift, or on your back in the back yard?? On your back would really suck.

Tim9712v

Doing the job in my driveway... no lift yet. I'll probably get the manual to help me out. Probably going to swap in the DTT Valvebody with a new governor solenoid as well. Hopefully it goes alright. Any pointers? Thanks, Tim

badme

Before puttting the shift and TV arms back on the valve body take the bolts apart and wire brush the threads. The threads get rusty and the bolts wont tighten down tight, then the arm falls off. Also make sure the shaft that the shift arms hook on to is clean. This will make install much easier. It will suck doing this on your back, but if you take your time you should be fine. Make sure to wear safety glasses to keep the ATF from dripping in your eyes.