99 Auto 2500 CTD

Problem is basically this...

First... second... free reving

Turning off over drive is no help, I just dont have third gear

and without third gear, I dont know if I have 4th either

What I did notice is that the truck was taking longer and longer to shift into 3rd yesterday

This after my old T/C lockup problem or whatever

any ideas?

 

When is the last time you changed fluid/filter and adj. bands?

 

changed the fluid probably 20k/6months ago

bands havnt been adjusted since I have owned it (probably stupid of me)

Is there such a thing as a "simple problem" that causes a lack of third gear?

Oh yea, the truck now has over 110,000 miles

bought it a year and a half ago with 90k

 

Sounds like your T/C went to pieces on you and that crudded up the rest of the transmission. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like tranny overhaul time.

 

With no 3rd it sounds like your front clutch drum seal went bad. have you tried to raise your line press? That seal is real bad about leaking press internal. If you need help pm me, you will need a 0-100 press gauge. You can also dissconnect the 8 pin connector from the drivers side of the trans and start the truck. This will put it in limp mode that makes the tranny start in 3rd gear. Drive it around the block and see if it starts out in 3rd from a start. With a press gauge attached to the front servo port you could check the press in limp mode and see if it is close to line press[ 2nd port back]. The forward drum seal has been updated on new trans kits, the base should be .170" for the new .120" for the old. If this is confusing pm me and I will talk you through it. Tim

 

I also have no reverse, nothing at all.

 

buy a manual

 

I have a manual, its at my shop... I havnt been able to get out there yet... but thanks anyway

 

I do not have the tranny book in front of me but I bet your front clutch/'o' ring seal went by by.......and I wish all who knew nothing would not offer advise about stuff they have no clue about................so thats m.o.

 

third gear and reverse out indicate the front clutch pack is not engaging, regardless if it is because of the clutches burned or the seal bad.

No foreward or reverse = rear clutches

No second = intermeadite band

No third or reverse = front clutches

Smell of your fluid, it should be burned if the clutches went. Check your fluid level also. I have seen where they would get foreward, it takes more fluid to engage the second band, and then it takes more fluid to open the second band and engage the front clutches. Low fluid can stop it somewhere along the process. Usually you will have burned front clutches though.

 

I think rjordan meant to buy a manual tranny
Another cause for this behaviour would be a sticking valve in the VB. If you don't find sludge in the ATF or other clues to a burnt up clutch pack (hope for it even though it's improbable) try to check out the VB. (Maybe somebody near you has a VB in the shop or garage)

Just my 2c

AlpineRAM

 

Now that you have said you have no reverse I am 95 percent sure it is the front clutch seals. Driving it like that and trying to get it in 3rd will burn the forward clutch frictions real fast. These trans are pretty simple but if you have never been in them they can be intimidating. The front clutch drum is directly behind the pump inside the trans. I would have it checked out by a tranny expert if you have never done it. One thing to remember if you just go to any tranny shop to get it rebuilt, it will probably not take any more torque than the stock one, regardless if they call it heavy duty. Contact one of Cummins specialists if you need a overhaul. Especially if you plan on bombing. Tim

 

Well ive got this guy here in Bloomington that builds kick *** transmissions for pretty cheap.

I was looking for an auto valve body tranny for my SS that could handle 850rwhp and close to 1000 ftlbs without even thinking about it... he told me that he could do it no problem but it was going to be expensive, the quote was $900 for the tranny lol

im probably going to go with something a little stronger to handle maybe a little more boost =)

and I agree on the manual thing except: I may end up with a manual valve body in my SS which would mean I would actually have to shift every car I own and I dont like that

some times its nice just to drive the **** thing

 

While its apart,if its your dime.Id call DTT and get the 3rd gear upgrade (billet piston and extra clutch/better seals to handle increased power.this way the trans is set for future TC and Vb upgrades if you cant afford it now

 

What really bothers me is that I am throwing no diagnostic codes =/

Stuff like ive never drained the w/f seperator in the year ive owned the truck and ive never gotten a w/f light