Changed tranny filter - Speedometer died????

[BigRed]

Ok, I changed my tranny filter this weekend because my TH400 was slipping in reverse when cold. Well, I got the fluid changed out and took it for a test drive and my speedometer didn't work any more. Tranny still slipped too!!!!!

So, can anyone tell me what could have caused this? I didn't even get close to bumping the speedo cable. All I did was remove the tranny bolts, remove the pan, replace the filter, and put the pan back on.

Thanks for any help.

[racedvl]

I dunno about your speedo, but it sounds like you are gonna need a rebuild on that poor tranny.

[BigRed]

Hey, I didn't want to hear that!!! But I think you're right. Sounds like a bad pump to me. However, it will be going until it doesn't shift anymore or is not driveable because I just don't have the money to have it rebuilt. Since it only does it in Reverse and in 2nd when cold, it's not that big of a deal right now. However, it's getting progressively worse.

Anybody else have a clue about the speedo cable?? Throw me a bone!

[old Rusty C10]

is it possible the speedo cable is loose or that the gear in the bottom of the cable ( in the tranny is loose) ive had them come loose on me it could just be coincidence that the speedo stopped working when ya did the filter.

[BigRed]

I talked to a local shop that will rebuild my tranny (including converter) for $375 with a 12 month full warranty. Does that sound reasonable? It will be out of the vehicle.

[swervin ervin]

The price sounds fair to me. But, as a warning, I would get some references from other people who have their rebuilds. This is something which can turn into a nightmare if not careful.

When it comes to stuff like this, I like to make sure I only have to get it done once. Not do it again in another month. Ask plenty of questions and talk to other places too.

What kind of rebuild does this include? What parts are they going to use?

Be an informed consumer. It will make life much easier to deal with for sure. I guess I find it hard to trust people when it comes to working on my vehicles. I have been burned before and it still hurts.

[76 k20]

price sounds reasonable if they stand behind there work. I think you said you have to pull it and bring to them though? if so ask some others who have dealt with them it kinda sucks pulling your tranny AGAIN, so they can do warranty work. Also as long as your pulling it, it might not be a bad idea to read the paper and check out classifieds I picked up a rebuilt 0 miles th350 long shaft, double drilled with a lightning rods shift kit in it, and a 6 month warranty here in Mn for $300 with a core. He rebuilt em in his garage as a side job. Or if your up to it you can rebuild it yourself the overhaul kit for a th350 usually runs around 90 to 120 bucks. Good luck

[rolson1039]

that sounds like a real good price but like everyone else says make sure its a reputable shop and they stand behind their work. One time i had a dealer rebuild the transmission in a van i had and they did such a ****ty job the transmission didnt last a year and when the transmisson went again, the place that did the second rebuild told me when they tore down the tranny the first shop had used the cheapest aftermarket kit they could and then to top it off theyonly replaced the pieces that were alledgedly worn or broken.
The kicker was that this was a Dodge Caravan and the both rebuilds were done by a warranty repair. It was two different dealerships that did the work though. Needless to say i sold the truck not long after that

[79BIG10]

Scott let me call a guy in W.Falls that rebuilt my TH350. He probably can beat that deal including the warranty. It cost me $400 minus converter to rebuild it was in the truck. Also I'll call my guy here in the area to see if he has one ready and how much as well. He's the guy with the 700r4 I want to get built.

[BigRed]

Thanks Brandon, I'll wait to hear from you. I can't do anything right now anyway as I'm waiting on some money. Hopefully after Christmas I'll be closer. It's still very drivable, so I'm good for a little while.

[70sChevys]

Speedo cables usually make quite a fuss right befoire dying...sounds like birds chirping...mine's doing it now, but since I just spent $350 on the Elky (it looks, runs and steers much better now ...), the speedo cable will have to wait awhile. Sounds like just a coincidence.

$375 sounds cheap, but if the shop is reliable do it. My buddy is getting his 700 rebult for $500 up north in Michigan from a very reputable guy. It seems that there are many rip offs in the tranny rebuild game.....

[78SilveradoSWB]

My speedo stop working after a trip to Jiffy Lube. Don't know what the guy down in the pit did when he checked the tranny.

[gchemist]

78SilveradoSWB,
Pull the cable off and check to see if the driven gear is broken. It's a common problem. Don't see any leaks do you?

[BigRed]

Nope, no leaks at all. I'm probably not going to worry about it yet. When I have the tranny rebuilt (which will be in the next several months) I'll worry about it. I only drive my truck back and forth to work so no big deal.

Thanks for everyone's inputs!

[Txstruck]

If needed, use that TH350 that the guys have. Im not sure how easy the hookup will be or if the drive shaft will be to short or long, but it is free!

[Maharg]

$375 is cheap for 400 thm rebuild, u need ask if its atotal rebuild or a repair of the trans. I personally would not trust a rebuild that cheap. The reason I can say this, is that was my profession until july of 2001. I am retired now because of back injury. They will probably tell u that some hard parts are damaged an need replacing for a additional price. I don't think your pump is bad unless u found a lot of metal in the pan when u changed filter. I think what is wrong is that the seals are hard and do not become flexable until tranny has warmed up. Do not put an after market transmission snake oil fix all in your tranny as it will coat the parts with substance that is almost impossible to clean off. If u have already done so change your fluid an filter again. this next part that I'm going to tell I will probably catch a lot of flack for, but do it any way. Put 2 table spoons of brake fluid in. Do not put more than this as it will cause the seals to swell to the point that they might not be able to get apply pistons out of the drums without damaging the parts. You need to let trans warm up before u drive because slippage is the worst thing for tranny. If your fluid was dark when u changed it u need to put an inline filter in the return line to keep trash from trans cooler from entering the trans. If I can help in any other way e-mail me. Any one reading this do not do this to any electronic controlled trannys this is for older model trannys only, if you decide to do so on late model trans You do at your own risk.

[BigRed]

Yeah, I thought it was cheap. But, I've called several shops and all are pretty close to the same. It's a full rebuild and all use reputable name parts and give good warranties.

Come to find out, the slipping in Reverse is happening all the time if I get on it a little. Not just when it's cold. You still think it's the seals?

Thanks, Scott

[Maharg]

then i almost guarantee its a repair and not a rebuild. I used to catch a lot of grief around here because I beat other shops prices by $500 to $1000 and i did a full rebuild. Now I did not r&r them which adds about $150 to $200 to price of quote. I've had trans shop owners come to me and complain and also tell me they reused clutches an seals and that was an extra profit margin for them. Tell them that u want the repair order to say rebuilt and not repair on it and see if they change their tune. Make sure you are getting a good convertor. Dacco is a good brand of convertor, it is a rebuild. I don't know of any convertor company that gives more than a 90 day warranty on rebuilt convertors. so make sure that it is a rebuild an not your old one flushed out. I only gave a 90 day warranty on mine, when asked why I replied that most rebuilt trans go out in the first 30 days after rebuild and if it last for 90 days it was'nt going to unless they abused it. Try the brake fluid and put in trans line filter. It is a temporary fix an hopefully will make trans last till u can get it rebuilt. Once again put in a trans line filter in the return line. More trans die an early death from afluid change than u can imagine. The reason is that the old trans fluid has long lost its cleaning agents, which results in a build up of sludge in the cooler and other parts of tranny. When u put new fluid in after filter change the new fluid has good cleaning agents in it an then u heat it up to about 180 degrees I guarantee u it will start cleaning all the sludge out and rushing it right to your valve body and governorand will cause u agreat deal of probs. That is one the the things the tranny shop should tell u an that is u have to flush out the cooler lines. I hope this helps and that it not to far gone. Luck to ya Bud

[BigRed]

Thanks Steve for the offer. I actually have two other donor tranny's (350s) that have been offered to me. I think I'm going to stick with the 400, but not positive yet. Everyone says how much stronger the 400 is, but I have a 2wd SWB 1/2 ton with a 350. How strong does it need to be?

Thanks, Scott

[Txstruck]

It should be able to easily handle the HP and TQ that it currently puts out. My TH400 is very strong, but of course it is behind a diesel.