The trans in my '02 5.4L has slipped a couple of times in the last month. Both times the truck was cold and it happened when leaving from a stop, otherwise it shifts smoothly and I can't make it reoccur no matter what I do. The truck only has 100k on it and the fluid is where it should be. I will say this, after the first slip I checked the fluid level and it was higher than it was a couple of months ago when I checked it, so I pumped the extra out as it was now in the "Do not add" section when hot, seemed strange to me. Anyway, what type of repair will this trans need? What can I expect if I take it to a trans shop?

 

First off, how does the fluid smell? If it smells burnt at all drop the pan and replace the filter and refill.

 

Thanks for the reply. I should have mentioned there's less than 2k miles on the fluid.

 

But like jprevat stated does it smell burnt or have a brown color. It's new fluid but could be bad if tranny is bad.

 

pre curser to bigger issues, get it in and get it check before issues get worse and cost you more!

 

Gotcha, I'll give it a whiff, but it's coloring is normal. Thanks.

 

Just wanted to add, on two occasions while going down the road at highways speeds, out of nowhere the truck starts to vibrate, as if I'm driving over mini speed bumps. I figured it was just the pavement, but now I see it could be torque converter shudder. Could the TC cause this slipping, could these issues be related?

 

Mine never slipped, but had shudder around 55mph. Changing the fluid and filter in the trans fixed it. Still no problems 30k miles later

 

Im thinking it could be related but if the fluid is good take it to a mech you trust and let them take a look.

 

So I took the truck to a local trans shop on Wednesday, it slipped the day before but of course it didn't (Slip) when the shop owner test drove it. (The truck was hot at that point so forget about what I said that it only slipped when cold) From my description, he thought the slip was because of the forward gear and the shudder, that I guessed was the TC, was some other part he claimed, I can't remember what he called it. I do remember the quote of $1500-$1800 for the repair(s). I told him I'd drop it off the next day but I didn't. I'm not sure I want to spend that much and keep it or sell it/trade it. I really like the truck but it's got other issues like rotted rockers and a leaky back window. Not to mention it won't fire up when the temperature drops below freezing