cold start transmission problems

2000 Rodeo LS
175K miles
basic maintenance done - tires, brakes, oil changes, and a basic overall tune up 6 mo ago was about it.

having the typical fuel gauge always on E, check engine light on constantly (I can deal with that and I just always refill the fuel every 250 miles)

past month the car has been having cold start transmission issues which dont really resolve upon heating up. if I gun it at any point (hot or cold)from a stop, the engine races and wont engage. as long as I start at a snails pace, its ok. this however, is not safe...especially driving in NJ/NY all the time.

if I start out with it cold and try to get up a hill from a stop, forget it there is no way to get it engaged...and not only that, it rolls backwards.

have people had luck fixing issues like this? is this limp mode or does this sound more like transmission slipping? is it worth it to fix the transmission? this isnt my primary car - I have a VW EOS I just bought, but I DO need this truck as I breed ridgebacks and I need a "dog car" to wit my Rodeo is perfect. I want to keep this truck as long as I can.
its long paid off - and if I can fix it, I'd like to.

thanks in advance -
Liz

It could be something as simple as the fluid is low in the tranny.

These trannies like frequent fluid changes (~30K) or they can get grumpy. you can find used trannies for 1k and new cost3.5K (more then your truck is worth).

So I would start with having the fluid topped off. If that doesn't help, I'm guessing the tranny needs a rebuild, or replaced with a lower mileage one.

Fuel gauge. It is a 40 dollar part that is in the gas tank that is causing it. The tank has to be dropped to replace the bad part.

Also, autozone will read CEL codes for free. The codes will point you in the right direction as to what is wrong with the truck.

You haven't provided any maintenance history for the tranny, which seems like the biggest problem you're having. As Amigo said, check the fluid level and if that doesn't help do a partial fluid swap and/or drop the pan to get an idea of kind of damage has been done i.e lots of metal flakes, sludge, and etc

Look in the FAQ for instructions on how to check the fluid level and post back with what you find out.

Basic tuneup, brakes, and oil changes over 175K. Aren't these trucks great? But it sounds like you found a weak point. The auto tranny needs attention. Then again, 175K out of these trannies is pretty darn good if you haven't had any maintenance done to it. Curious to hear the maintenance history for the tranny. If you have low fluid or leaks, get it taken care of right away. I'm going to guess that the tranny is slipping due to wear, though.

Sounds like what everyone's saying. Either the tranny fluid is really old, and worn out, or the tranny could be low on fluid too.

If it's been a while since the tranny fluid was replaced/replenished, it can't hurt to drop the tranny pan, change the filter and add 5 quarts of new fluid....could send new life or additional life into the tranny.

But, whatever you do do NOT let anyone convince you to do a transmission flush....this will for sure kill off the tranny.

Keep us posted.

thanks everyone for the suggestion. I looked at the fluid level and its within "ok" but silghtly above minimum, so I think I'll add some and start with that.

there has been NO maint done on the transmission as far as I know - other than maybe the shop has topped it off when I had the truck in for other stuff. (but I dont know that one way or the other).

when I had the truck in last fall for changing the sparkplugs etc my mechanic was amazed how awesome the truck was for the mileage - this of course before anything started slipping - I have literally done nothing major to this truck in 175K and it doenst owe me a dime. its given me no major problems - and like I said, the other annoying things like the fuel gauge etc I can live with that. I just want it happier.

I will add fluid this weekend and see if it helps. my gut feeling is it needs a rebuild...but then again, I'm a girl and not a mechanic. :)

Liz

"I looked at the fluid level and its within "ok" but silghtly above minimum, so I think I'll add some and start with that."

what your you looking at?

The only way to check the fluid is by opening up the fill plug on the tranny under the truck while the truck is running. you fill until it runs out. There is no way to check it from under the hood.

errrrrrrr I told you I was a girl.

maybe I'm looking at power steering fluid?

I'm printing all this stuff out for my fiance to take care of.

Correct the power stearing uses tranny fluid.

check out the link below (FAQ). It has the how to on how to check the tranny fluid level.

Are you by chance looking at the oil level dipstick??

If so, you need to add engine oil to that truck NOW before you get below the minimum mark. Your year of truck is famously known for running low on oil and frying the engine....you don't want that.

I'd start with a pan drop and changing the filter on the auto tranny, along with 5 qts of new fluid....see if that helps with the slipping and such. The original fluid is FAR past it's prime and is causing issues...try the new filter routine first, if that doesn't work, may be time for a new tranny.

But check that oil level ASAP or have someone check it for you...if you were pulling a dipstick, it's most likely the oil.

Also it probably wouldn't hurt to add some sorta tranny stop slip fluid too (I think someone makes such a thing).

Are you by chance looking at the oil level dipstick??



nope, that one I'm VERY familiar with. it gets oil every 1000 miles.

now as of yesterday the truck will not even engage - every gear is neutral.... not sure if its worth checking the fluid level or just having it towed to the garage. thoughts? if I leave it off for a while, I can get it in gear enough to do a k-turn in the driveway and then it says forget it and stays in neutral. I get faked into thinking I might be able to drive it to the garage but then I chicken out because I'm afraid it will die on the road.

and does any one have a photo or a schematic of the bottom of the truck so I know which is the pan to check - and should it need fluid (yes, probably) what kind of "pump" do you use to get the fluid in?

thanks

There are two light gray pans under the transmission. The front pan is small and rectangular and has no drain or fill plugs on it. Just to the rear of that pan is the main pan for the transmission. You will see a lower drain plug and toward the rear of the pan and a little higher you will find the fill plug. Warm the truck a little - maybe 3 mins - and shut it off. Put a catch basin under the main pan and pull the drain plug. About 3 1/2 to 4 qts of fluid will drain out, less if you were low on fluid. This will give you a chance to check the old fluid and replace some of the old fluid. Replace the drain plug and fill the tranny as much as you can with the truck off with a simple hand pump that screws onto the top of a quart bottle or gallon bottle. You then start the truck and put it in neutral. You pump fluid in until it starts to trickle out. Put the fill plug back in and you are done.

Your transmission requires Mercron/DexronIII ATF. I get mine at Advance Auto Parts. They should have a pump there.

Of course, if you just want to top it off, get the truck just warm, put it in neutral, and pull the fill plug. If ATF trickles out, you were never low. If none comes out, pump fluid in until it trickles out. Button it back up and see how it runs.

Good luck!

update:

I put in the refurbished Jasper trans that came with the 3 yr 100K warranty. Bit the bullet and decided it was cheaper than new truck payments....and with that warranty, (and 175K on my truck now) that should last me until the wheels fall off hopefully.

now I will start to work on the getting the rest of the issues resolved (tailgate lights, ABS lights, fuel unit. etc) but for the time being, I'm back on the road and my dogs are happy to be back in their car and not smashed in the back of the convertible anymore. (as am I)

Liz

That's the last thing I want to hear with a truck at 175K (I'm at 176K, I think)! But I'm glad you got it taken care of. That sounds like a great warranty, too. Good luck with it! Should be much cheaper in the long run.

update:
I put in the refurbished Jasper trans that came with the 3 yr 100K warranty.
Liz Great Idea, and smart choice.
Glad someone steered you to a quality source.