AL480E Question

[twomorestrokes]

I have an AL480E transmission and a 6.0 liter engine in my HD. Very intermittently while starting up from a stop, it will seem to be between gears momentarilly, or freewheel slightly before moving. Then it's fine. No SES light and the fluid is red. Anyone else experience this? I imagine it's an issue with the electronic controlls, but I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on the situation.

[JParrott]

I've had mine do it once.....about a week ago I was sitting at a stop light and when I went to take off, it just kind of sat there for about 1 second, and then jumped into gear and all was well. I've got 13,500 on the clock and haven't had it happen since. I figured it was just one of those things where everything was just right for that to happen. Never had any problems with anything so I'm just leaving it alone for now.

[kenny-1907]

I would either call up the dealer or take it in cause there is an update for the pcm for that issue. Mine was acting up every so often where it would start out in second gear from a stop. If my truck was an 03 or newer there is an update for the programming to adress that specific issue but i was sol although the still updated the pcm for general driveability issues.

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by JParrott

I've had mine do it once.....about a week ago I was sitting at a stop light and when I went to take off, it just kind of sat there for about 1 second, and then jumped into gear and all was well. I've got 13,500 on the clock and haven't had it happen since. I figured it was just one of those things where everything was just right for that to happen. Never had any problems with anything so I'm just leaving it alone for now.

Yeah, that's how mine feels. It's done it a couple times in 10,000 miles. I'm not too worried about it, as it doesn't seem like a serious internal problem. Sometime it just seems like things have gotten overly complicated with all of the electronic controls and sensors. Another thing that has happened only once or twice is that it shifts very hard and firm going through the gears, but one time only then everything is normal for quite a few thousand miles.

Just wondering if this is common or if I'm the unlucky one.

[kenny-1907]

It is fairly common from what i heard and there is updates to the programming for the pcm on both issues you are having. $60 for reprogramming versus $2-3000 for a rebuild, i'd opt for the programming lol.

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by kenny-1907

It is fairly common from what i heard and there is updates to the programming for the pcm on both issues you are having. $60 for reprogramming versus $2-3000 for a rebuild, i'd opt for the programming lol.

Good point! Didn't you say that the reprogramming was for '03 and newer though? Mine's an '02.

[kenny-1907]

They can still update the pcm with a "general driveability issues" program. It seemed to make a difference in mine. I would still check with the dealer though on specific updates though.