Torqueflite 42/44RE or 46RE Diagnoses&recommended transmission shop in LA/Pasadena

[BSAVictor]

My 98 Jeep GC Laredo (four wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, and 5.2V8) only has some 75k mi, and has had regular maintenance including trans flluid (it's only a partial fluid change each time, I know) and filter changes each some 12k mi or 2 years (whichever came first). When fluid was changed, I never found what I considered to be any burned look/smell or excessive or funny-looking material in the old fluid. It's my bike trailer tow vehicle, but it's never towed anything over 2k lbs. I'm not sure which Torqueflite model it is, but it's rated for max loaded trailer wt of 6500 lb. No trans leaks, fluid level is OK and has been checked regularly. Vehicle has only had moderate off-road use (no Moab or Rubicon runs). Fuel mileage is same as it was when vehicle was new---really a gas hog (just like the "Fed" sticker projected), but I don't drive it that many miles per year, anyway!

Symptoms:

1. From time it was new vehicle, trans sort of "hunts" a little between 1st and 2nd gear under moderately heavy throttle---doesn't do that under light or full throttle, tho. (Annoying but not killer problem.)

2. For about past 6 months, trans takes a few seconds to start moving (at idle speed) in reverse after cold start (it basically is never freezing in my garage, btw).

3. Over about the past 3 months, in 3 instances, vehicle seemed to slip out of gear as I let off throttle, pulled into a driveway, and lightly re-applied throttle. The first time this happened, the trans went back into gear on its own after a few seconds. The other two times, it wouldn't go back into gear "on its own". I shifted into neutral, then back into "Drive" before it took hold. (Yeah, disturbing, but I'm not trans expert and I don't know anyone who is.)

Any diagnoses from you TTer experts, and any referrals to good transmission guys/shops in LA/Pasadena, California area?

Thanks again!

Edited January 12, 2010 by BSAVictor

[beady927]

I've got a 96 dodge ram with a 44re and the wife had a 94 GC auto.

1. It would hunt a bit under high load (read mtn. passes).

2. My ram does this occaisionally. The TC drains back into the pan. Not a big deal. Either the check valve is leaking a little or you are low on fluid.

3. I assume you checked the fluid level? In gear and with fully warmed like the manual says. Gotta be in gear because the TF doesn't pump when in Park. Its a 2 person job to check it safely (one to stand on the brakes while its in gear).

Ever had the bands adjusted?

BTW, I'm no expert but I did manage to install sucessfully a shift kit in my Ram. Also, have a buddy that has rebuilt 2 TF's himself.

[BSAVictor]

I've got a 96 dodge ram with a 44re and the wife had a 94 GC auto.

1. It would hunt a bit under high load (read mtn. passes).

2. My ram does this occaisionally. The TC drains back into the pan. Not a big deal. Either the check valve is leaking a little or you are low on fluid.

3. I assume you checked the fluid level? In gear and with fully warmed like the manual says. Gotta be in gear because the TF doesn't pump when in Park. Its a 2 person job to check it safely (one to stand on the brakes while its in gear).

Ever had the bands adjusted?

BTW, I'm no expert but I did manage to install sucessfully a shift kit in my Ram. Also, have a buddy that has rebuilt 2 TF's himself.

Thanks, beady. My hunting problem is only between first and second gears. I can understand yours hunting perhaps between 3rd and 4th under heavy load; some folks just lock it into third for that situation.

After changing the fluid, I get to a "beginning" proper level via the shop-manual-prescribed method including shifting thru the gears. I fine tune by checking the level after driving at least 10 miles, and re-check it a couple of times at operating temp during the following week. I also check the tranny fluid level when I'm changing engine oil. Had not heard of 2-person, in-gear method.

I asked dealer to adjust bands, but they said they "never do it unless it's a new install." Can you believe it? I think they/the mechanic(s) probably didn't want to pay for the special tool(s) prescribed in the shop manual. Maybe they don't know how to adjust it?! I'll consider at least the band adjustment to need doin' when I find a good shop!

Oh, I forgot: I had that "safety trans lock-out recall retrofit" done, and every once in awhile I have to jiggle shifter to get override switch to make contact for vehicle to start!

Edited January 12, 2010 by BSAVictor

[BSAVictor]

I would've thought that there'd be lotsa TTers---at least in the midwest/upper midwest---who know this Torqueflite stuff better than the backs of their hands. Around my neck of the 'Hoods, I can hardly find anybody to do anything better than I, even when paying them good money---and I'm getting sick of learning how to do everything I want done; I mean, it takes time away from riding, fishing, and eating.

How about some help, TT experts? I know you're there!

Edited January 15, 2010 by BSAVictor

[BSAVictor]

Well, many thanks to the Lone Answering Poster (beady927). I went to the Pasadena Aamco franchisee(?). He confirmed the validity of the in-gear fluid check method (btw, the Chrysler Corp. shop manual does not say to check fluid level that way!), and said that my reported symptoms are entirely consistent with a low-fluid status. We ended up putting in 2 quarts more fluid to come up with a "full" reading using the in-gear fluid check method! I'll have to shake-down-cruise during the next week or so to help confirm whether this is the cure, but I think a lesson here might be that--(and I should have known this from experience with other systems in my Jeep, other vehicles including motorcycles, vs. their respective shop manuals)--a shop manual is not exhaustive/infallible!

I don't know how much that I'm (only slightly) smarter than a box of rocks had to do with it, but this Aamco shop was more honest (for free, even including the 2 quarts of fluid!) with this than they or other shops might have been....

ps: It looks like I have the 46RE [4 forward gears, 6 as a torque capacity code, R for rear-wheel drive, and E for electronic controlled (?)--Apparently, it's a an A518--older designation--class of tranny---my VIN has a "58" in it, so 'wondering if that's a clue?].

Edited January 27, 2010 by BSAVictor