Hey Everyone... I posted here before when I first noticed this, and I am trying to figure this problem out again. At first people thought it was my Edge Evo. It's not. I have returned the truck to stock, and even removed my Edge because I have a warranty issue I have to take care of. So, the only thing done to my truck right now is the Transgo Jr. I just rechecked the fluids the other day, tranny was a bit low, so I checked and filled according to my Duramax Owner's Manual. I did that twice, just to make sure. So, fluid level is good.

The problem is that in Tow/Haul mode (ONLY) when shifting from 2nd to 3rd at light to medium throttle, the tranny BANGS the gear so hard the whole truck shudders, and it literally scares everyone in the truck. Imagine the loudest, scariest, "what the hell was that" BANG! and that is what I am getting. I cannot use tow/haul mode for this specific reason, which sucks because I tow 18k lbs and would really like my tow/haul function back.

Hear is what I see on the gauges when this happens:
Shift from 1st to 2nd: tach rises to ~2k, then drops gently to 1500rpm at the 1st to 2nd shift.
Shift from 2nd to 3rd: tach rises to ~2k, then drops to ~1600rpm, but doesn't shift to 3rd, stays in 2nd, then rises up to 2500rpm, and BANG! it happens. Every time.

I also notice a bit of a lunge going from 4th to 5th, but no big deal there, nothing like the craziness I get going to 3rd.

My entire family hates the tow/haul mode because of this, and I can't figure out what is going on. I installed the Transgo Jr. just like the instructions said. I have good fresh fluid in the tranny.... Any ideas? Why would it only be the 3rd gear shift in tow/haul? I need knowledge here guys!!!! I am hoping to solve this over my next two day break.... HELP!

Sounds like you never reset the TAPs or you lost a check ball in one of the trim solenoids. It is something you did that is causing this.

How much have you driven it since you installed the Jr.?

I had a local Allison dealer reset the TAPS in Boise. I have driven it about 6-7000 miles since I did the install....

I understand it is something I did, I am fine with that. I just need to know what! I don't want to pull the valve body out again, refill with expensive fluids, only to find nothing visually wrong. What do I look for in there? Why only 2-3 shift in tow/haul?

I had a local Allison dealer reset the TAPS in Boise. I have driven it about 6-7000 miles since I did the install....

I understand it is something I did, I am fine with that. I just need to know what! I don't want to pull the valve body out again, refill with expensive fluids, only to find nothing visually wrong. What do I look for in there? Why only 2-3 shift in tow/haul?

Well, since the valvebody is the only thing you touched I would think it to be the first place to look. Have you called the vendor you bought the kit from for his assistance? I stated in my last post here that you may have a missplaced check ball in the trim solenoid or you may have a draggy gain valve which could cause your problem. Either way the valve body must come back out for a re check and you can drain your fluid in a clean bucket and reuse it.

Hey Mike.... Yeah, I kinda figured it had something to do with the install, I just don't want to do the job again!! Can you describe what you are talking about with the gain valve? I will have to bite the bullet once it warms up here some. I hate working on things in the cold, and the pitman and idler arms I just did were punishing. Any expert advice you can give would be most helpful.... I have never heard of Transgo problems, everyone seem to use them happily...

The gain valves are the little shiny silver cylinders that go into the top of the valve body; they have little springs under them. Make sure they slide nicely...

(I think? mike will have to respond to this one)

how did you put the trim valves in? You put the tiny spings and check balls in the trim valves in in the right order correct? How did you get the check balls to stay into position? Without using some transjel (I use vaseline and it seems to be fine?) to hold the check balls in place when you put the trim valves, its really easy for them to fall out.

ben

Oh.... Hhmmmm.... I didn't use any fluid to keep the check balls in, just slid in slowly and listened to ensure I didn't hear them fall. I believe I had the valve body tipped up a little bit to help. Maybe that is my culprit. Weird that it would only effect a couple shifts....

Did you take out any of the shift solenoids or valves? Did you take out the "F" solenoid valve (torque converter solenoid)?

You need to pull the valve body and be done with it. If it worked before the Jr. install then something went wrong. Someone mentioned "gain valves" these are the valves that install after the Transgo A & B trim valves right behind the A & B solenoids. They're shown in the TG instructions but aren't labeled--the A gain valve also has an outer spring. I personally let my 12 year old daughter do the valve body portion (with my supervision) and it works flawlessly!

You let your 12 year old do the install.... Are you trying to offend me? I am asking for help and you mention that a 12 year old can do it? I am sorry if I am taking this the wrong way, but everyone makes mistakes. I think you could have left that part out of your response.

Can someone please post the instructions for me? It has been a while, and I do not think I still have them.

You let your 12 year old do the install.... Are you trying to offend me? I am asking for help and you mention that a 12 year old can do it? I am sorry if I am taking this the wrong way, but everyone makes mistakes. I think you could have left that part out of your response.

Can someone please post the instructions for me? It has been a while, and I do not think I still have them.

Have you looked at the sticky? It should walk you through the whole proceedure.

thedeatons - You've put 6-7000 miles on your transmission even when there's a problem like you've described? Recommend you tear into it soon before there's some internal damage. It is possible that a spring or check ball could have dropped out during the Transgo trim valve installation it's also possible that the small inner spring could be damaged. The Transgo Jr kit is fairly simple to install--but you reall have to pay close attention when installing the trim valve assemblies. I can't believe BDM actually let his 12 year old to the valve body mods--wow. Good to see youngsters getting involved!

I am sure I will have to yank the pan after this. I kinda figured, but wanted some confirmation from some of you more knowledgable guys. I am just getting into tranny mods and diesel engines.

The reason I waited this long is simply because I never use tow haul anymore. We have moved a few times, and I haven't made time to work on it. Now it is cold here in Boise, and I may end up waiting a little bit longer....

Thank you for all the help. I will pull it apart, and check those gain valves while I am at it. Is there a certain procedure for checking them? I remember referencing the sticky on the Transgo when I installed it, but had since forgotten it was there.

Thanks for all the help with this. I will be sure to post back when I get it fixed.

thedeatons - I can't believe BDM actually let his 12 year old to the valve body mods--wow. Good to see youngsters getting involved!

:eek::eek:

thedeatons - You've put 6-7000 miles on your transmission even when there's a problem like you've described? Recommend you tear into it soon before there's some internal damage. It is possible that a spring or check ball could have dropped out during the Transgo trim valve installation it's also possible that the small inner spring could be damaged. The Transgo Jr kit is fairly simple to install--but you reall have to pay close attention when installing the trim valve assemblies. I can't believe BDM actually let his 12 year old to the valve body mods--wow. Good to see youngsters getting involved!

Why don't you let the 12 year old do yours? ):h

Mike L., seriously that was funny!:p::p::p:

Yeah... Way to show signs of maturity, from a vendor no less.

I don't know anyone on here personally. No one. I don't usually mess around with people until I have at least spoken with them on the phone, and then only if I feel they are fine with it. Perhaps you guys should think about that. In case you forgot the post started with me asking for help, not jokes...

Yeah... Way to show signs of maturity, from a vendor no less.

I don't know anyone on here personally. No one. I don't usually mess around with people until I have at least spoken with them on the phone, and then only if I feel they are fine with it. Perhaps you guys should think about that. In case you forgot the post started with me asking for help, not jokes...

gtmax is a good friend of mine and I reserve the right to razz him and it was only directed at him, not you. You should be under your truck pulling the valve body to fix your trans instead of complaining on the keyboard. I have given you a starting point and am willing to hold your hand through this and fix it with any help I can give. You must make the effort so get out there and go to work. :D

Yeah... Way to show signs of maturity, from a vendor no less.

I don't know anyone on here personally. No one. I don't usually mess around with people until I have at least spoken with them on the phone, and then only if I feel they are fine with it. Perhaps you guys should think about that. In case you forgot the post started with me asking for help, not jokes...

The truck wont fix its self, take the help mike has offered its in your hands now

heck I wish I had a 12 yr old kid to help with some work on truck.I cant get my hands or fingers in certain areas that I know a 12yr old could.Thats how my dad and uncle taught me how to wrench.

I don't think I will have time to get it tomorrow, I will need to start on a Saturday for this one. Can anyone tell me where to get Transgel or something suitable for the tranny to help hold the checkball in?

A dab of Vasoline works fine.

Okay, good.... I am going to get a fresh oil pan too so I can reuse the pricey stuff...

also make sure the two valves you removed/replaced in the kit are free in their bore. I tilted them up vertically after installing the spring/ball and made sure they could push in against the spring easily, then installed the solenoids and bracket to hold them in. Mine would install without the valves being free in the bore and created all kinds of problems.

Jody

x2, time is not a factor when taking the VB apart.:)

Okay, so I did it today. It was about 30 degrees and I could only shut the garage about halfway because the truck was hanging half out. That was fun. I got it all out, VB on the workbench. Turns out one of the check balls was in a totally different part of the VB, must have not held in place during the initial install. So, we were out of Vaseline, but I found some A&D ointment (spreadable waxy stuff for baby rash, very Vaseline-like) and installed the check balls and then the springs. Everything held together great going back together, there was no way the springs were coming loose. I got everything back in, but then it was late and dark, so I have yet to top off the tranny fluid level after reinstalling the Mobil 1 I had in there. I drove it home (from my friend's garage) and it was all over the place shifting and learning. It is still banging the 2nd-3rd and 4th-5th shifts in tow haul mode, nearly as hard as before, but like I said I have yet to make sure the fluid level is perfect. If this keeps up then I am going to be annoyed. Wonder if there is anything else it could be like a solenoid. If I can't figure it out I may just send you my VB to check out Mike... I will drive it more tomorrow, and get the levels right, and let everyone know how it went. Hopefully it will right itself.

Once something like this has happened the TAPs do not respond on their own most times and a Tech 2 will be needed for relearn. In your case a full fast learn procedure is called for where the clutch volumes are filled and released. It takes 10 minutes if the tech is familiar with the procedure.

Okay, I will try to get to the Allison dealer sometime this week. Thanks for that advice Mike. Hopefully this will be then end of this conversation (after I reply that TAPS are reset!)...

Yeah... Way to show signs of maturity, from a vendor no less.

I don't know anyone on here personally. No one. I don't usually mess around with people until I have at least spoken with them on the phone, and then only if I feel they are fine with it. Perhaps you guys should think about that. In case you forgot the post started with me asking for help, not jokes...
:eek:

gtmax is a good friend of mine and I reserve the right to razz him and it was only directed at him, not you. You should be under your truck pulling the valve body to fix your trans instead of complaining on the keyboard. I have given you a starting point and am willing to hold your hand through this and fix it with any help I can give. You must make the effort so get out there and go to work. :D

:D:D

Way to keep the helpful information going? What is it with you guys...... ? Do you have to comment on everything?

Those comments werent directed towards you. Everyone has offerred you help so go fix it and report back when you have tried everything everyone here has told you to try.

Way to keep the helpful information going? What is it with you guys...... ? Do you have to comment on everything?

Many of us don't have a life--we are too involved with the daily grind of working on transmissions and trying to solve problems. Some find it difficult to relax (me) and get away from all this--sometimes we have to make light of things, perhaps at seemingly others expense; believe me it's not intentional. Anyway.........that's why we comment on everything.

Sorry that you're still having problems. A few here were on the money about the missing ball. Provided the small spring (inside the Transgo trim valve along with ball) didn't get messed up and everything's now correct; all that might be required as a TAP cell clearing as previously mentioned.

Your Allison's TCM has become confused because of the missing ball--now it needs to relearn now that the assembly is assumed correct (by this I mean small spring wasn't damaged). These transmisisons aren't like those of old, you can't expect them to work correctly, especially after a mis-assembly. The TCM needs re-schooling--get it to someone with a Tech 2 that knows how to use it. Let us know what happens.

gtmax is right-is you get a "rogue" shift due to an internal problem, you must reset the TAPs even if you single out the mechanical fix, because the trans has still learned how to shift with that internal mechanical problem.

Ok, thanks for the last few replies. I talked to Jason at the local Allison dealer/service center in Boise today and he remembered me! He said bring it by and he will reset it no problem, which is nice. Hopefully before the weekend! The normal mode has already fixed itself, as before, it is still the tow haul that is weird. Can't wait to get it fixed, then new tires, maybe brakes, and a warranty on my head gaskets!

Just remember the TCM only learns when you drive it and it shifts. So when you drive in normal mode it only corrects(learns) the normal mode shifting. If you want Tow/Haul to learn you must drive it in Tow/Haul and allow it to shift up and down.

My wife just went by Smith Power Products in Boise, our local Allison dealer (I decided to forgoe going to the Cummins dealer, also an authorized Allison dealer:). The young tech there, Jason, hooked up his laptop and drove it for her, while she waited in the waiting room. He finished the drive in about 10 minutes. She has been in Tow/Haul for the last two hours driving around running errands with ZERO bumps, bangs or whistles. Thanks to everyone on here!!!!

Glad to see you finally have gotten everything lined out with it.

My wife just went by Smith Power Products in Boise, our local Allison dealer (I decided to forgoe going to the Cummins dealer, also an authorized Allison dealer:). The young tech there, Jason, hooked up his laptop and drove it for her, while she waited in the waiting room. He finished the drive in about 10 minutes. She has been in Tow/Haul for the last two hours driving around running errands with ZERO bumps, bangs or whistles. Thanks to everyone on here!!!!

Congrats on the fix. :D
Sometimes I guess right.

Congrats. Glad to hear your trucks running right.

Congrats on the fix. :D
Sometimes I guess right.


Its never a guess when you have been involved with repairing these things for a living....... Now If I had a comment it is a guess!

Mike as always good to have you around !

I had an '02 D/A 2500 HD. While in T/H it did the exact same hard shift the OP described. I had an Attitude monitoring which gear it was in. It also monitored when the TC engaged. In T/H under normal acceleration, the TC engages while in second gear. It banged while shifting from second to third.

My Allison was totally stock. The common thread between our trucks is that I was running an Edge Juice at the time. The OP had been running the Edge Evo. I know he said he returned it to stock. Makes me wonder.................... I never did take my '02 in for that problem. I traded for an '05 back in '05. Why would a stock tranny act in a similar fashion???? Kinda makes you wanna go hmmmmmmmm......

i found this thread when searching for solutions to a similar problem. It seems that when I installed the kit I lost one of the check balls (probably the one in the a-trim valve). Any ideas where I can find a replacement? Or do I need to buy a new kit? Or where the valve went inside the VB?

i found this thread when searching for solutions to a similar problem. It seems that when I installed the kit I lost one of the check balls (probably the one in the a-trim valve). Any ideas where I can find a replacement? Or do I need to buy a new kit? Or where the valve went inside the VB?

You better find the lost one if you think it's still in the trans.:eek:

I checked the VB visually and ran a strong magnet over all the passages on both sides of the seperater plate and couldn't find it. It is entirely possible that it fell onto the bench or floor which, if the case, means its gone forever. I'll check the VB again just to make sure.

I checked the VB visually and ran a strong magnet over all the passages on both sides of the seperater plate and couldn't find it. It is entirely possible that it fell onto the bench or floor which, if the case, means its gone forever. I'll check the VB again just to make sure.

Common .125 (1/8") ball bearing my local Ace Hardware has them. If it's not in the VB, if you haven't already done so look to see if by chance you could have put both balls in the other trim valve? Can't see the ball disapearing outside of the VB, if you feel lucky, get another ball and forget about it (the missing ball).

I had to turn mine upside down and shake it over the bench to find it...... Glad this thread is helping:)

I had to turn mine upside down and shake it over the bench to find it...... Glad this thread is helping:)
Thats why I love this place. If you gotta problem or question just do a search and it's probably been covered. After driving it (don't have much choice) it shifts better than it did but will still occasionally slam into third and fifth and when down shifting into first.

Trans seems to be working okay. Still slams into third and fifth when in T/H but shifts better as the trans relearns.

Trans seems to be working okay. Still slams into third and fifth when in T/H but shifts better as the trans relearns.

Did you pull the trim valves out and check?

What Ever Mike Says To Do, "do It" He Is The Best Guy On This Site For Trans Issues. He Put A Transgo In My Truck An It Runs Perfect

I am posting here because it won't let me post a new one

I rebuilt an allison 1000 for my friend. Triple clutch converter. alto upgrade clutch packs. transgo full shift kit. 190 coverter valve. and 180 extra hp from a programer. It is in a 2002 duramax 4x4. I spent 3 days rebuilding the trans to be sure everything was right. I was not there for the test drive. I gave him the instuctions for the relearn, he said he followed them. He said when he started the truck the speedo read 100mph. After driving it he said the speedo whent back to normal. He said when he got up to 75 the first time the truck shifted fine. After that every time he got up to 50mph the converter lockedup/unlocked rapidly. He put it in tow haul mode and it did the L/U at 20mph. I think he drove it for 2 hours. He said 4ht gear hits harder than the rest. Could I have missed somthing. Could it need a fast relearn. Could this be a psi problem. What would normal psi be for this type of set up. Should I put the stock converter valve back in. I have the flu and can not drive it right now. I would like to get as much info as posible so when I get better we can fix the trans. The only thing I can think is there is a leak to the coverter and it can't hold the lockup.

Check the dimples on the converter. If there is a damaged dimple you will have a lock-unlock problem because the input speed sensor is counting the 32 dimples.. You might also have a defective converter causing this. As far as your 4th gear hitting hard, that won't learn itself out all the way.

You are right. My friend looked though the hole in the bottom of the bell housing and found 2 dimples that are bad. he unplugged the speed sensor and it drove fine. Can we weld the dimples up and grind them down to match or should we get another converter. Thank you very much for the info.

God Mike Ls knowledge is astounding.

Good luck on the Trans Kordic

Mike L is goood too! I guess he has been around the block a time or two? These people make transmissions sound soooo easy. Don't they?? I now better. LIke I said before you can't beat a man at his own game.

Mike is top notch. He has helped me get my truck to perform and helped me a ton of times!

You guys can't believe how much I've learned by helping you out with problems. :D This is fun.

You are right. My friend looked though the hole in the bottom of the bell housing and found 2 dimples that are bad. he unplugged the speed sensor and it drove fine. Can we weld the dimples up and grind them down to match or should we get another converter. Thank you very much for the info.

I think yes but don't hold me to it till I check with Ron at SC.

Sheesh.... Amazing Mike... We should play "Stump the Mike"...

I can only imagine Mike's skills with the ladies.......:eek: ...... he's like allison's pimp!:rolleyes:

We took the converter to Midwest Converter. The place that built it. He took the stock coverter and new one and change the housing. No charge. While we waited. We put the new converter in and the truck shifts fine. The dimples were good on the stock converter, so we knew that would work. If the dimpples are not perfect it will not work. This is something I will always remember to check before we intall another converter.