I'm brand new to this site so bear with me. I own since new a 1993 dodge d250 truck w/ 2 wheel drive & extended cab & it has a cummins 6 cyl. diesel with 170.000 miles on it. I went out one morning to use the truck & it wouldn't move when i placed it in drive unless I floored the accelerator? I took it to a friends repair shop who rebuilt the trans for $1532.00 & it came back doing the same thing. Wouldn't move in the morning. He included a 12,000 mile or 12 month warranty so I took it back & he had it for 2-1/2 months & it came back the same way. If i floor the throttle it starts to move slowly. Then once I drive it a few miles it takes off & shifts fine. Any idea what the problem is? My friend said it may need an $800.00 valve body which we can't find on stock anywhere? My trans has an updated cooler line w/ a new check valve from Chrysler. One problem I see is the fluid has bubbles after the truck is running for only a short time. There are new seals & clutches installed when he rebuilt it. It is a 727 torque flite w/ a bolt on OD. It has a new non lock up torque converter. I am using the trans fluid recommended by Chrysler +3 & the level is ok. Thanks Rob.

 

Rob,
Welcome to DTR! I hope these guys can help with your A518 problem since I haven't been much help. Still, to me it seems like it could be an internal leak into the trans. oil pump.
What do you all think?
Chris

 

Thanks Chris. I hope somebody can nail it. The rub is that this truck has no rust & the engine is excellent. Doesn't use oil between changes & pulls strong. I'm just getting tired of dumping good money after bad into the trans. Rob

 

It sounds like your torque converter is draining while the truck sits overnight? my truck has always done it and my buddys truck has done it since new.When you start your truck put it in neutral for about half a minute or so as it warms up. the converter fills very fast and you will have drive right away. I hate to tell you this but you probably didn't need the rebuild as my tranny shop told me it was a common problem and you will start smoking stuff it you don't fill the converter first rather then letting everthing slip as you rev the engine in gear without any fluid in the converter.
Ps mine has 342,000 kms on it and is still on the original tranny.

 

WOW! Never thought to do this & it's so simple. I've been agonizing with this problem for months. I'll try it & get back to you. Wish I would have taken this problem online before I spent the big bucks on the local advice for a rebuild. Thanks a million! Rob

 

My truck does same thing - Have to idle in neutral for 30 seconds to a minute then it works perfect. Now I know why.

 

Dodge torque converters still do that in my 2002.

Not to that extent, but idling in neutral for even 15 seconds makes a world of difference.


phox

 

The guys above are right. I always put mine in nuetral right after I start it. Then by the time I have let it run a bit to get oil everywhere it needs to be, the tranny is good to go. The Dodge transmissions in our trucks do not pump any fluid while they are in park. Therefore the TQ drains overnight and there is nothing there to build any pressure when you first put in gear.

Bill

 

I also put mine in neutral for a few seconds before it will go.
But, what about air bubbles in the fluid?
Rob, are you seeing alot on the dipstick? Has it ever pewked(sp?) out the dipstick tube?

 

Mine has never puked out the dipstick before. But I do get bubbles/foam sometimes.

Bill

 

If you are getting air bubbles, and the fluid level is OK, the the valve body is either not tightened properlly or it isn't sealing.
And yes, always idle in neutral for a few seconds before moving in the morning.


Dave

 

dont know if anyone has tried this but i run hydraulic fluid in my tranny. i cant hardly feel the shifting when i drive

 

[quote author=mightyrat link=board=9;threadid=20077;start=0#msg190765 date=1064884469]
dont know if anyone has tried this but i run hydraulic fluid in my tranny. i cant hardly feel the shifting when i drive
[/quote]

There was a big discussion about that about a year or more ago.
Some people swear by it.
Others can't be swayed from what Dodge says.

Fence rider here.

phox

 

What's the difference between letting the the truck idle in Park vs. Neutral?

 

[quote author=Joe V link=board=9;threadid=20077;start=0#msg191388 date=1065025833]
What's the difference between letting the the truck idle in Park vs. Neutral?
[/quote]
Doge transmissons do not pump fluid in park. That is why if you have a converter that leaks down, let it idle in neutral for a few seconds.