Transmission Shifting Quesiton

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jf5.9

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So since automatic transmissions are a dark art to me where a wizard controls the valves and a warlock the overdrive unit, and red ATF +4 symbolizes a blood offering to them both I have a question on what mine is doing.

First of Fluid Checks out ok. I have a small pan leak (when it gets a lil warmer ill be taking care of it) that I have stayed on top of level wise.

What its doing is it doesnt always want to get to overdrive. It doesn't struggle into overdrive it just wont go in all the time unless I get off the accelerator for a brief second. Doesn't always do it just sometimes regardless of outside temperatures or previous run time that day. Seems completely random.

Also sometimes when it does go right into overdrive I watch my RPM's drop in two stages say if I hit overdrive at 2200rpm it will jump down to 1700rpm and then down to 1400rpm. (cruising at 55mph i'm around 1600rpm on the factory tach.

Didnt know if this could be the sign of a eminent rebuild or what - just looking for answers. Any help is appreciated.

Finch
 

dodge dude94

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It could be as simple was your Transmission Valve (TV) cable being slightly too tight. I know when I get on mine it won't shift until I lift then get back on, but I don't mind it. lol


The two stages of RPM drop you're seeing is the transmission shifting into OD, then OD torque converter lock up.
 
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jf5.9

jf5.9

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now that makes sense - I dont mind it at all either - just like to make sure im not missing something going down hill - like i said auto trannys are a dark magic to me.
 

Segrat

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My '98 has been doing something similiar this winter. On the really cold nights it sometimes refuses to go into overdrive. I havent checked the transmission fluid yet but it might be a tad low. Looking at draining and replacing the transmission filter when it warms up a little.
 

dodge dude94

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My '98 has been doing something similiar this winter. On the really cold nights it sometimes refuses to go into overdrive. I havent checked the transmission fluid yet but it might be a tad low. Looking at draining and replacing the transmission filter when it warms up a little.

The transmission will not allow OD until the internal temperature reaches a set minimum of like 130 or something like that.
 
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