1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Transmission delay when cold

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-04-2013, 10:11 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lassy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Macon Georgia
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Transmission delay when cold

I have noticed that when I start up my 91 W350 4x4, I can shift the transmission (automatic) from P to R to N to D etc and back to P and back to D without it ever "lunging" like it's ready to start moving in any selection. If I give it 10 seconds or so, and I make my gear selection, it will move and act fine, but I'm just curious if that's a common thing or is that telling me something needs attention? I spoke with someone at quad4x4 and he said the transmission has to build up oil pressure before it's able to operate properly.

Do you guys have any knowledge on this?

Thanks!
Old 01-04-2013, 11:13 AM
  #2  
Registered User
 
taterfarm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bridgewater, Maine
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
this is probably normal, if I understand it correctly the torque converter drains back while the truck is off. with the truck is running in park there is no oil supplied to the torque converter, so nothing happens until you shift to a gear or neutral to fill the converter. If you let the truck warm up in neutral then the fluid will circulate and it will go as soon as you shift into gear.

Or according to the directions in the transgo shift kit if you install the newer design manual valve it will allow the fluid to go to the converter in park, I would think that would eliminate the problem as well.
Old 01-04-2013, 11:19 AM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lassy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Macon Georgia
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Taterfarm!
Old 01-04-2013, 02:25 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
TIMMY22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Land of milk and honey.
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
aka morning sickness
Old 01-04-2013, 06:03 PM
  #5  
DTR's Night Watchman & Poet Laureate
 
Chrisreyn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lyndon KS
Posts: 2,156
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Glad to see I am not the only one with this issue..
Mine didnt do this till I had the tranny rebuilt, now its an every morning thing.
Old 01-04-2013, 06:50 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
TIMMY22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Land of milk and honey.
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2nd gen tranny lines had check valves to help prevent this
Old 01-04-2013, 07:17 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
2mtrucks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 160
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Very common. Every Dodge diesel I have owned did this. On really cold mornings I always put an auto in neutral for 10-15 seconds or so before driving away. Both my current trucks are manuals and they dont like the cold any better.
Old 01-04-2013, 07:36 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
MARF75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When I start mine in the morning I set the ebrake and put it in neutral. Then the trans warms up with the engine
Old 01-04-2013, 07:50 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
crazzywolfie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Orangeville, Ontario
Posts: 142
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Originally Posted by TIMMY22
2nd gen tranny lines had check valves to help prevent this
but from what i have read hanging around 2nd gen section those check valves can cause the transmissions to fail when they start to clog up which is why most people cut them out. i have also read of some transmission shops not warrantying there trans unless the check valve was remove. if only the transmissions would pump fluid in park we would not have this problem. i put my truck in neutral before i fire it up just so i don't burn up the transmission.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
USMC64-70
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
11
12-23-2004 08:27 AM
Idaho Guy
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
5
11-19-2004 06:45 PM
Jason
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
3
04-19-2004 12:40 PM
Jack Thorpe
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
11
11-06-2003 01:25 PM



Quick Reply: Transmission delay when cold



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 PM.