Hey guys, $1,400 later I've got a new fuel shutoff solenoid, new shocks, all the fluids/filters changed, new rotors, and a few other things. My mechanic said that he noticed the transmission acting up a bit, like it would take a while to engage.

So, he started the truck and we left it idling there for about 10 minutes, its about 40* out, and I paid up and we talked for a few, and then I got in the truck, and put it in gear. There was no drop in RPM. Gave it some gas. Nothing. Pulled it down into first. Nothing. Put it in park, gave it some gas, then put it back into drive, and it was fine. Then as I was pulling out of his driveway, I slowed down to check for cars (its a bit of an uphill), and then I gave it some more gas and the engine just revved for a few seconds, then caught on and spun the duals in the gravel.

On the way home (about 3 miles or so) it seemed to be ok, but I noticed that even when I really gave it some throttle it didn't have as much get up and go as the 2500 does. I know the 2500 has 4.10s and I'm comparing them to 3.54s, but I feel it shouldn't be doing that.

When I'm on the highway doing about 68 or so and put my foot on the floor, the thing will accelerate great, just like the 2500 does.

So here is my question:

Is all this just because the tranny is cold, or does it look like I have a problem going on?

If there is a problem, how much $$$ are we looking at here .

 

I would think that, yes, there is a problem starting to show up, and yes, it is probably being aggravated by the cold. It sounds like there is probably a worn seal that is bypassing fluid, and they usually start by acting up in the cold.

Having said that, obviously I would first check the fluid level and make sure your technician got enough fluid into it during the service. Make sure to check it in neutral- if checked in park, the level can show normal and be actually several quarts low. Also, if the filter happened to be left loose, problems such as this would be a result.

 

I've read about people idling them in neutral in the morning... is that only for the manual? Or will it help on the auto also?

I took it out for a bit of a drive today, and had no trouble. It seems like it only does this starting off. My 2500 will seem to kick itself out of gear, but it always gets in gear the first time right after I start it. After about a 2 minutes after the initial "putting it in gear", it may kick out once or twice, but after that its fine. The 3500 doesn't seem to want to go in gear at all when it first starts.

So, any suggestions?

I just don't have the money to go out and get a built tranny right now.

Out of my driveway, I put my foot on the floor and it accelerated really good. Going up a pretty steep hill I gave it a bit of gas, but didn't floor it. RPMs went up, speed slowly went up. Didn't seem to be bogging or anything.

So is it just the cold weather?

 

Bump.

Any more input? I could really use some help.