Trans problems
 

I am a new diesel owner, I have a 97 4x4 lb ext cab 2500 and my problem is this. if my truck is sitting over night or around 6-8 hours my auto trans dose not want to go into first gear, reverse works fine but first takes a few seconds to catch, I can rev it two or three times before it catches. but after it is warmed up it works fine,
after it warms up normal shifting works great except down shifting, if I don't come to a full stop the truck will not down shift to first it stays in second, I can put it in first by putting it into low gear, Please help ;D

Re:Trans problems
 

"after it warms up normal shifting works great except down shifting, if I don't come to a full stop the truck will not down shift to first it stays in second, I can put it in first by putting it into low gear"

I had that problem, but yours sounds more severe. My auto would go to first gear, after a stop, only after some power was applied. The problem was friction material scrubbed off of various clutches was clogging an orifice. The short term fix was to replace the governor soleniod and the governor transducer and clean the valve body. Of course the fluid was changed so most of the particulates would have been drained out.

The condition is returning, slowly, because friction material is still being scrubbed into the fluid. The engine overpowers the overdrive lockup function and I feel a shudder, when high torque is produced at 60 MPH, 25 PSI boost, 1700 RPM.

The permanent fix will be an ATS transmission.

Re:Trans problems
 

I have changed the fluid and filter already and fluid looked as if it just came out of the bottle, still red and no grit or dust in it, or setamaent in bottom of pan the truck has 130,000 miles on it. the down shifting seams to be an adjustment so I am not worried about it, but the not shifting into foward gear when cold has me worried, some one told me it could be a check valve in the cooler return line is letting fluid drain out of system when it is sitting, dose this sound right because I can not find a valve in any of the book I have read? thanks for any help.

Re:Trans problems
 

I think that you have a drain back problem. There is a check valve available. I do not remember the details.

The other possibility is that if this is your first cold weather experience, the electronics are preventing the shift because the engine/tranny arenot yet warm enough.

Re:Trans problems
 

Go to the vendors links and find a phone number or website to contact the pro tranny people. They will give you a good idea as to what is going on.

Re:Trans problems
 

I don't believe ambient temperature or lack of warmup has anything to do with it. My transmission operates the same at 0 as it does at summer temperatures. Be sure Chrysler ATF+3 was used to refill (or whatever your owner's manual says) because that gives you the best chance for normal operation. Also be sure of the quantity of fluid in your transmission. Compare your dipstick with one from a truck which operates normally, you might have the wrong dipstick.

Even though the fluid drains back overnight, why wouldn't idling in neutral circulate it again and create line pressure? Unless you don't have the correct type or quantity of fluid?

Re:Trans problems
 

Here is some information on the check valve:
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1995/21-05-95A.htm

The tranny doesn't circulate in Park, so try Neutral. If you search the site for check valve you will find more information.

The transmission will also be slower in upshifting when the temperatures get colder.

Re:Trans problems
 

I had this same problem.

When cold out after startup shift into neutral to start filling the TC because park does not move fluid through the system. Let it run for a couple of minutes and the tranny fluid will warm up and you will beable to shift into OD sooner!

Let us know if this trick works! ;D

Re:Trans problems
 

Sounds like a worn seal in the transmission bypassing until it warms up.

Re:Trans problems
 

I second what torquefan sez! Definetely use neutral after starting like several have said, but if any symptoms still show, get it fixed, before it fixes you.