Automatic trans issues

tractorguyacb

tractorguyacb

Local Diesel Nerd
Joined
Aug 21, 2008
Messages
180
Hello all, 2000 ctd, ATS tranny, under light throttle the trans "hunts" for second gear. It will engage second and then go back to first and repeat until i apply more throttle. It is more noticeable at colder temps, also the truck stalls when first put in gear, i dont know if these issues are related but its possible, for the stalling issue i put in a new 5 star converter and i still have the same issues, im at a loss any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
PS truck has new bluechip vp on it as well as mach 1.6 sticks.
 
The hunting could be caused by a faulty APPS. I would check to see if it is still good, or if it is on its way out.

The stalling issue, sounds like perhaps your lockup valve is sicking or sticky. Or there is some debris on the screen. Does it stall everytime you put it into gear? Or just sometimes?
 
right now it only stalls on the first start cold (50 degrees).. it does drop rpm to about 500 before it catches itself most times when i put it in gear, other times its fine... thanks
 
On the hunting gear when it is cold issue, check your grounds and clean them up a little. if that wont fix it wrap the wire off the alt in foil to see if that fixes it.

Also a reputable tranny shop that I frequent tells me to take the gray connectors that are on the curb side battery and cut them off and solder or clamp the wires back together. There is issues with the plugs that will make it act odd. They tell me that has fixed over 200 2nd gens with this same problem in there little shop. Check grounds and wrap the wire first though. No point in going to crazy extents for no need.
 
It dies when you first put it in gear because the fluid is cold and the ATS converter is tighter than stock. On a 12 valve, you just tighten the governor springs a click and no more dying problems. On a 24 valve, about the only thing you can do is let the truck idle in neutral for about 10-30 seconds before putting it in gear, or switch over to full synthetic tranny fluid that doesn't get so thick when it's cold. Keep in mind, the tranny will have a little less power holding capacity with fancy synthetic fluid since it's super slick.

2nd gear is a band shift, I'd check band adjustment. It's external on the driver's side of the tranny. Loosen the lock nut, tighten the adjuster till it's snug about 5-7 ft lbs, then loosen the adjuster 1-7/8 turns. Then holding the adjuster, tighten the lock nut to about 30 ft lbs. 5 minute job tops.
 
I made a mistake. The gray connectors fix lockup bobble. I am not sure about the 2nd bobble. Usually that is electronic noise.
 
Big Blue24 said:
It dies when you first put it in gear because the fluid is cold and the ATS converter is tighter than stock. On a 12 valve, you just tighten the governor springs a click and no more dying problems. On a 24 valve, about the only thing you can do is let the truck idle in neutral for about 10-30 seconds before putting it in gear, or switch over to full synthetic tranny fluid that doesn't get so thick when it's cold. Keep in mind, the tranny will have a little less power holding capacity with fancy synthetic fluid since it's super slick.

2nd gear is a band shift, I'd check band adjustment. It's external on the driver's side of the tranny. Loosen the lock nut, tighten the adjuster till it's snug about 5-7 ft lbs, then loosen the adjuster 1-7/8 turns. Then holding the adjuster, tighten the lock nut to about 30 ft lbs. 5 minute job tops.
Click to expand...

As for the synthetic trans fluid, i am already running valvoline synthetic atf+4, it still stalls even if you let it idle for a while. and the bands are properly adjusted, do you have any other ideas, also it is only about 40 degrees here so its not too terribly cold
 
Sucks but a looser converter is the best sure fix for your stalling issues
 
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