Transmission 99 46RE No reverse or 3rd?

[Bear_Gibson]

So the saga continues. I had this transmission rebuilt and updated in 2017. In 2021 at about 50,000 miles the one way bearing in the torque converter let go. I replaced the converter with one from a shop I've used to build drag race converters. Ever since then I've had tcc slip at lower rpm's when giving it much throttle. Also there has been a tcc timing issue, before the old cheap converter failed OD would lock at 45 and D would lock at 40 when in tow haul mode. Afterwards, OD timing is normal, but D / Tow Haul won't lock till 60. Since this was not my daily I just drove around town in D so as to not slip the tcc clutch. I picked up a new boat last year and decided to try to fix this thing to work right. Initially I bought a rebuilt Valve body and tried that. It changed nothing which led me to believe that what ever issues were internal or ECM. With a tuner I can't see any way to adjust the lockup timing. After some searching online I came across the transgo TTFRE reprogramming kit. It raises the line pressure for better holding, and makes lockup possible in 2nd through OD. Although I did not set it up that way. I reprogrammed the V/B and it was night and day difference. Shifts much firmer and TCC now holding. I drove it for a week to work with zero issues. On Sunday morning I was backing my boat up when it suddenly lost reverse. I Drove it a few miles down the road and it only has 1st and second. It does have engine braking in both 1st and 2nd. I didn't have the room to get it fast enough to check OD. 1-2 still feels good. Today I dropped the pan expecting to find the OD snap ring. I didn't find anything I don't see anything out of place. This afternoon I'm going to put the stock VB in to see what happens. I haven't found anyone who has lost reverse and 3rd only. I'm hoping Someone can shed some light on this for me. I can't just take the trans out where I'm at without having the parts to fix it.

 

[MAC830203]

What did you find?

 

[Bear_Gibson]

When I installed the shift kit, I stacked the three plates wrong. Top to bottom they are supposed to be 3-2-1, well I had 3 on the bottom and 1 on the top. According to Transgo when you do that the reverse pressure isn't regulated and you bust the 3rd /reverse drum. Which is the first clutch behind the front pump in the transmission. Unfortunately when I fixed it I must not have had the clutch pack clearance correct because it started slipping after driving it up the highway. You can also get a 5 clutch pack to go there. Look on eBay for front clutch 46RE

 

[Bear_Gibson]

I have still yet to figure out why the TCC doesn't lock until 60 when It's in tow haul mode (3rd only OD off)

 

[Sherman Bird]

Wow!

 

[Bear_Gibson]

Just in case anyone looks this up later. The reason the TCC timing was off is because the shop I paid to diagnose it modified the tcc table. I had to buy hp tuners to fix it, but it now locks in 3rd at 35. The Transgo reprogramming kit and upgraded direct (front) clutch pack are worth the hassle to me.