Seems like I got the domino effect going on here.......

Got the plenum gasket repair done and took the truck out for a bop around town, drove a total of about 5 miles. Truck runs great, FANTASTIC even.

On the way back however, the trans started acting like it was slipping. Shift points seem like they are still where they should be. When it grabs a gear, it feels/sounds like its dropped into neutral for a brief moment THEN it grabs the gear.

Until this, I've had ZERO problems with the trans.

Fluid is still full (haven't changed it yet... ), I don't see anything vacuum or electrical related unhooked. All the linkage is hooked up as it should be.

Suggestions on what to check?

Thanks...

*sigh*

transmission cable might have slipped out of adjustment

Is there an adjustment? If so, how?

It's the cable that goes towards the firewall on the passenger side of the throttle body. The throttle cable goes to the front and wraps around the front over to the driver side

The trans cable gets pulled as the throttle opens. This is like the 'kick down' linkage from a 727. There's a white locking clip that you can slide out allowing you to adjust the cable tension, then lock it back down by sliding the clip back in.

To lower shift points, unlock the clip, slide the cable housing back towards the firewall, then lock it back down.

Thanks Tom. I'll take a look in a little bit.

I knew which cable it was, I've never had to adjust one before. I unhooked each cable at the TB rather than just undoing the bracket so I would have more working room with the intake.

RPM's "flaring" between shifts? Especially the 2-3 shift? In my experience that means the trans is ready for overhaul. Wife's Ramcharger went 228,000 before overhaul.

Robert

If you've already got the TV cable adjusted properly it sounds like mechanical trouble. The trans doesn't use vacuum signals so doubtful you'll find any faults there.

BUT, whenever a problem occurs immediately after other work always always double and triple check the work done previously. Witness OC's recent troubles and some I've had myself.


Robert

BUT, whenever a problem occurs immediately after other work always always double and triple check the work done previously.............

No doubt. Just a bit confused because aside from unhooking the kickdown cable from the TB, I did nothing to the trans.

I'm going to take a look now, I'll report back with my findings.......

Better running engine brings out the weaknesses of everything else.

So, as I'm laying under the truck trying to figure out what Tom suggested, I glanced up to my left and see this:





Let me guess, the bushing that should be there is a dealer only item, correct?

I guess if its not shifting fully into gear it could slip......

thats it,the tv cable adjustment is on the bracket you took off up top.

Much to my amazement, the dealer had the part...

Put it in, adjusted the shift linkage (but left the kick down alone, I didn't see what Tom was talking about), and the problem is worse. It flashes into every gear now.

Plus, sitting at a light, foot on the brake, the dead miss is back in spades.

BUT, at idle, when I hook a vacuum gauge up to it, its reading almost 4 inches higher now, 13 before 16.5 after (and rock steady). Snap the throttle, the needle drops and returns quickly.

I've checked, rechecked, and checked again everything I've touched. I'm going to take it down to my mechanic friend tomorrow and have him look at it. Hopefully a fresh set of eyes (not to mention more experience) can find what I'm missing.

Well shut my mouth and call me stupid.....

I checked both ends of the cable looking for that elusive white clip Tom mentioned to no avail.

Searched Youtube (again) and came across a video from Jasper on how to adjust the TV cable that I missed the first time I searched. Again, there's mention of a white clip, but, now I see where its supposed to be.....

I checked my truck again, no white clip. MIA? No, my cable has a simple push button design, no white clip.

Adjusted it according to the Jasper video..... HOLY [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean]!!!

The flashing is gone, and at WOT, she barks second now! The slightest touch of the throttle makes this thing move now.

Now to figure out the miss......

Thanks guys.

Just got back from taking it on a 20 mile 'test drive'.......

It's a whole different truck now.

Before I left, I cleaned the original plugs with my wire wheel and threw them back in. No more dead miss. As good as my wagon runs on Autolites, I guess this truck hates 'em.

One other thing I noticed, which I thought was a little funny, when I work the heater controls now, the selector door moves with 'authority'.....press 'heat', THUD. Press 'defrost', THUD. I guess the added vacuum is the reason for it.

Hopefully all this will translate into MPG this truck has been sorely lacking.

That's sounding more positive. good to hear.

Sheldon

Mine was out of adjustment after a new trans install, got it double checked about a week after, and had the same tire squeaking results.

Gas mileage will probably improve, if you can keep your foot out of it. Gene

Just for reference, here's the video from Jasper on youtube...... linky