I have an 01 L with 30,000 miles, all stock, and it's been running fine until lately. From a standstill, when you step on the gas (while in "drive"), the engine will rev to around 1800 to 2000 rpm, and that's when the transmission will seem to "catch", and begin moving the truck. It doesn't really jerk the truck too much, but it's noticeable. This seems to be happening more frequently over the last thousand miles or so.

It's not consistent, sometimes the transmission acts normally. I checked the trans fluid while hot, and the fluid level was good, and the fluid was clean, red and clear. Truck has had no other mechanical issues. I use this truck mainly for long distance highway driving, and it's not drag raced or used for towing.

Is my transmission starting to go belly-up? Or does it just need some adjustments? I still have an extended warranty. I'm worried that one day the trans will quit without warning. Thanks for reading this!

 

definitely schedule an appointment for service !!!

sounds like your torque converter might be failing....

 

Another torque converter bites the dust.

 

Thanks for the replies! I was hoping for something minor, but it sounds like the torque converter is suspect. I'm going to bring it in next week. I'll keep you posted on what they find.

 

I brought the truck to the dealership, and discussed the problem with the service writer. When I got it back, they said there were no codes, and that the tranny was running perfectly. They said they "re-programmed" the computer and all was well. Well, just driving it out of the dealership, the trans was doing the exact same thing...somehow, I wasn't surprised, since it sounded too good to be true.

What was interesting, was that when I got it home, I decided to run the shifter through the gears. If the shifter is locked in first gear, the "slipping" symptoms I described above will disappear. When I put it back in Drive, the symptoms come and go. So, do you think it could be a problem with the valve body? Or could it be something else? Maybe it needs a flush?

I also talked about the large puff (cloud) of gray-white smoke that comes out of the tailpipe when I start it (after sitting at least overnight). I even recorded a short video clip of it on my phone, to show them. Again, they said they were no codes, and that the motor was running perfectly. They said the truck has a special exhaust system, and that it holds in humidity and blows it out on startup Sure, yeah, the muffler holds a cloud of vapor when it's 100 degrees outside, and I didn't realize that water vapor had a burning oil smell...pretty cool.

I hope nothing else goes wrong with my truck...I like it, and I take care of it, but I'm disappointed with the problems that are coming up.

 

My 03 "puffs" smoke at start up..but it's a fuel issue, I think? It smells like fuel.
If it smokes and smells like oil I'll go out on a limp and say valve seals. I only say this since it happen over night or during long period of sitting right?
As far as the tranny goes well it could be ton of issues. Gregg would the man to chime in on this one. Go back to the dealership and take them for a drive and let them feel the trans slip. As a matter a fact just go to some other dealer that wont give you the run arround. The trans issue is not normal but the smoke at start up is ?
You could take it too a shop and pay for a compression test and a leak down test. Then take them to the dealer if there is a issue?