Shifting trouble A440F (1 Viewer)

[charliebucket]

Truck runs great since tune-up. Last friday when drove it, I could only go about 5 mph in drive and it seemed as if it was bogged down. If I put it in Neutral or Park, the engine idles and revs great. Once I was driving for a bit, then trans shifted fine. I got home, checked the fluid and it was low. I topped it off, and it seems better, but I still have to plug along a bit before things get moving. The shifting between gears is smooth and nice all the time. Its just from a cold start that there is a delay. Any thoughts? Tried searching but couldn't find much.
Thanks

BTW: 1990 177,000miles

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Have you recently replaced your ATF fluid?
If not it may be a good time for a filter cleaning and a fluid replacement.
Throw in a few bottles of "Lucas" ATF treatment with the new fluid. Whatever you do don't overheat your transmission that's a death sentence.
.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I'll 2nd the above. And add to search for 'rodney flush' on Mud.
Double check you are now at the proper level.
It's subjective, but try to gauge just how much crud is in the pan when you do change the fluid.

 

[charliebucket]

No luck with the trans. Flushed/new fluid and it still is shifting poorly. If I floor it, it shifts but its not the best way to go about driving everyday!
Any more ideas before I decide to rebuild/replace?
Anyone know of a good place around here?
Either a good shop to drop off for rebuild, or someone that knows how on the board?
I would be able to help, just dont have any place or all the tools needed.
thanks

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

I think the next thing would be your kick down cable. If you haven't replaced it that may be your culprit. I did a semi write up of my experience and replacement. You can probable do a search and find it. Not all that hard but very,
very messy. Good luck to you and keep us posted .

 

[cruiser88]

Your cable adjustment might be a little loose. Play with it.

If you loosen it and it gets worse then adjust it to where you had it AND A LITTLE MORE.

There is really no guideline on this adjustmet due to the age of

these cables. Wintertime is when the wear normally starts to show.

 

[Tapage]

I was searching for a reputable tranny shop in US long time .. seems buy sencond hand with some warranty could be the best option.

 

[charliebucket]

cable seems perfect....pulled it a bit and it sprung back in to place. the tension
seems great. i havent tried to adjust it yet, but i dont think thats the prob.
anything else......

 

[doctorjj]

If it's not wanting to shift out of first until the RPM's are really high and worse when it's cold, then it's a sticky governor.

The fix for that is simple. Get the truck up to speed, over 60 mph, then quickly slam the shifter into park and leave it there for a few seconds. Then quickly place it back into OD. No, I AM being serious. This is how you clear the governor. It will work. It will NOT damage your tranny. I guarantee that.

 

[cruiser88]

If it's not wanting to shift out of first until the RPM's are really high and worse when it's cold, then it's a sticky governor.

The fix for that is simple. Get the truck up to speed, over 60 mph, then quickly slam the shifter into park and leave it there for a few seconds. Then quickly place it back into OD. No, I AM being serious. This is how you clear the governor. It will work. It will NOT damage your tranny. I guarantee that.

Oh s*** i forgot about this.


Yes I can verify this

 

[charliebucket]

I have seen this high speed "Park-Trick" on some searches, thats the next thing to try.

But it still shifts kind of oddly after its warmed up as well too.
Very bummed about the thought of tranny do-over

 

[overhanger]

cable seems perfect....pulled it a bit and it sprung back in to place. the tension
seems great. i havent tried to adjust it yet, but i dont think thats the prob.
anything else......

You still haven't tried to adjust the throttle valve cable yet you are ready to go for a transmission rebuild? What makes you think the cable tensiuon is "great"? A single rotation of the adjusting nuts can make a large difference in A440F performance. The park trick and some cable tension experimentation are worth a try before springing for a rebuild, IMO.

 

[cruiser88]

You still haven't tried to adjust the throttle valve cable yet you are ready to go for a transmission rebuild? What makes you think the cable tensiuon is "great"? A single rotation of the adjusting nuts can make a large difference in A440F performance. The park trick and some cable tension experimentation are worth a try before springing for a rebuild, IMO.

Yep you cannot go by feel or a SNAP.


These trannys are quite sensitive to the cable and level of fluids.

 

[bigbertha]

party trick

Charlie,
Did you do a complete passive flush of your tranny or did you just drain and re-fill? The two procedures are totally different. If you drain and re-fill you only change out 1/3 of your ATF.

Did you drop your pan and clean the filter? This would be your first step, then the complete passive "rodney flush" then the party-trick. If you do this yourself you are looking at a few hours of greasy labor and maybe $100 worth of good synthetic ATF, (transynd or amsoil). The party trick is generally considered to be a last resort to be done when all else is new and clean. I had the same symptoms as you a few years ago and the filter clean and full flush solved the problem which has not returned in 20-30k or so.

Since it's cold out, if you need to take it somewhere to be serviced then make SURE any transmission flush they do is NOT pressurized or your tranny will be toast. Ask to watch them do it. It has to be flushed under the tranny's own circulatory pressure, nothing more.

Take it one step at a time and do a good repair one time.