Re: Dodge transmission problems


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Posted by Todd Wilson on Sunday, January 20, 2002 at 11:25AM :

In Reply to: Dodge transmission problems posted by Hugh on Sunday, January 20, 2002 at 10:32AM :

This is a clip from an email I kept off the DiRT list. This little check valve will plug up and stop the flow of tranny fluid to the cooler/radiator. Might check this out it could be a long shot but cheap to fix if you didnt screw anything up. ALl this stuff would still be the same from your old tranny.

----------------------------------------
Next trip over 10 miles and the tranny starts to overheat again. I go
to
flush it and the level is high again, but this time the flow coming out
of
the line is just a dribble.
Pretty soon the flow stops. I think I finally messed up the tranny for
good
and start reading the FSM to see where to start testing. FSM says to
check
for flow at the radiator inlet hose. I do and get no flow. FSM then
says
to check the flow leaving the transmission. Well this hose is half
steel
and half rubber with a weird looking fitting between the two. I checked
further and the fitting is a one way valve. This valve is definitely
bad
and will not let any flow through it. If I disconnect it and start the
engine I get a gush of fluid out of the metal line from the tranny.

Turns out this valve is a check valve to keep fluid from flowing back
into
the tranny if the truck sits for long periods of time. FSM says it must
be
replaced if the fluid is contaminated with metal etc. FSM says nothing
about checking it out and either says the cooler/radiator or pump have
failed. If this valve fails, the same symptoms will exists. --Poor
fluid
flow, overheating, etc. FSM says it should open at 2 PSI, I put 100 PSI
of
air to it and it wouldn't open. The dealer only sells the hose attached
to
the metal line that wraps around the engine and goes back to the tranny.
I
buy the whole thing (only $40) and take only the rubber hose and check
valve
and replace the original. I've got flow back.

1. This check valve is a weak link in the system, and acts as a poorly
designed filter in the event of fluid contamination.
2. The part can only be bought with its neighboring steel and rubber
lines
and cannot be serviced individually. Bummer since its a weak link.
3. The FSM completely overlooks it in its troubleshooting "flow-chart"
and
ignores it as a possible restriction, but cautions that it should be
replaced routinely if the fluid was contaminated. I think the FSM
addresses
this check valve poorly.
4. The Transmission does indeed have a working temp sender and it will
shut
off the overdrive first and then illuminate a warning light on the
dashboard.
5. If you get the light on your dash, your fluid is burnt. Mine was
the
color of old blood after just a few miles of limping home after letting
it
cool down. And that is Amsoil synthetic.
6. The parts guy said the 46RE got a lot "better" after 1997 and very
few
98+ models have had problems, he didn't know why.
7. It appears I have done no permanent damage to the tranny. The
flood,
water in the fluid, and the overheating did not seem to have an effect
on
the transmissions performance. It would have run strong until it died
it
seems.
8. This valve has been a restriction since before the flood, the first
time
I flushed the tranny the flow was no better and that was at 18k miles.
I
think this valve was bad from the factory.
9. The FSM says the flow rate should be about a quart in 20 seconds, I
was
getting a quart in about 5 minutes.
10. I guess the fluid level kept rising on me because the fluid was
accumulating in the transmission because it couldn't flow to the
radiator.




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