Help please: Time sensitive transmission issue. I could really really use just a moment's expertise.

[paustin]

Good morning all!

I have a 2014 diesel dually with the Aisin transmission. I am in a real jam. My wife and I live in an RV, need to move our rig in 10 days and my transmission just went weird. We are not made of money and I know how transmission shops can try to screw you. This happened yesterday in Colorado Springs and I had to drive back roads back to Denver in 2nd gear.

My biggest concern is that my wife and I are in an RV park and we are required to leave in 10 days. I would be very concerned about moving the RV with a truck this unreliable. I need to get it to a shop immediately but I know how transmission shops can smell blood and make up **** to take your money. I would REALLY appreciate some guidance. THANK you in advance!!


Symptoms
* I was in Drive descending a hill, allowing my airbrakes to slow the truck down. The truck was not slowing sufficiently, so I used the column shifter so switch to a lower gear. I do not recall which one.
* The truck <clunked>. It was a hard jolting sensation when the truck shifted. On the dash there was a message that the 4 wheel drive was temporarily unavailable. The truck was stuck in 2nd gear.
* When I put it in park and shift into either Reverse or Drive, the truck <clunks> in. It is a much much harder sensation than just shifting. You can feel the truck try to lurch when it shifts
* At a stop, it is clear that I am in 2nd gear starting out. The truck does not shift making my top end speed around 40mph.
* I have an Edge monitor that 'says' that it is shifting gears though it is clear that is not happening. I suspect that the monitor is showing me what the control system is telling the transmission to do
* If I leave the truck turned off for a couple hours, when it starts it seems better. I'm clearly in first gear starting out. But after 15 feet of so....<clunk> and I am back stuck in 2nd gear
* I went out this morning and the truck seems fine.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[CanuckRam1313]

* When is the last time the transmission had a fluid and filter change?

* Have you checked the fluid level and color & smell of it currently?

* Any leaks under the truck that you can see?

* Any abnormal trans temps observed lately?

 

[paustin]

Update: I seem to have found an honest shop. They tried everything that they could to reproduce the issue. Nothing. No significant codes, though they say that the system might have reset them when the truck was left overnight. I brought it back the next day when the shop's '30 year expert' was in and still nothing. They were thinking maybe a stuck shifting solenoid, but decided against it. They gave the truck back to me with no charge.

While this is nice, in 10 days we need to get from Denver to Lake Tahoe. The most direct path is over the Rockies, and we are hauling our only home. Being stuck on the side of the road in the Rockies would be very troublesome.

* When is the last time the transmission had a fluid and filter change?

> at about 140k miles. I am at about 230k miles

* Have you checked the fluid level and color & smell of it currently?

> The shop reviewed all. Fluid could use changing, but they said not bad. No metal in or other concerns in the fluid

* Any leaks under the truck that you can see?

> None

* Any abnormal trans temps observed lately?

> None