Limped ATS today, ???

Mike L.

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I'm betting when the C3 snap ring is pulled out the clutches will jump out of the case. They will be that warped.
 

launchpad

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We reset all the adaptive, and cleared the code. Seemed to drive worse on the test drive after that, then on the drive home the light came on and then it limped. Shifting worse then ever, limped and stayed in 3rd 3 more times on the way home until I could finally get on the freeway.

Going to someones shop soon. What a nightmare.
 

MACKIN

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Aug 14, 2006
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great, that's the worst new I've heard yet. Especially since that happened a year ago when I bought the truck.


Thats confusing information because it sounds like to me that you yourself is on your second transmission. Sounds like a year ago when you purchased the truck the transmission went and you fixed it and now you have another problem.

I would already have the pan dropped in my opinion that is the first thing to do when you are having a problem like this. If your worried about wasting fluid then recover it and filter it to reuse. Not a good practice and I would only do that if you found the pain full of debris. If it was clean then I would use fresh fluid.

If it was electronic which I doubt flashing a stock TCM calibration and ECM calibration would eliminate that if there was no change. If you feel it's internal as in a solenoid or something else the pan will have to be dropped. Once you drop the pain and if you discover crap in the bottom of the pain it will be every where anyway so it will need rebuilding.

Is there a ATS dealer in your area? If so bring it to them and maybe they could get some assistance from ATS on the repair and save you some money if your lucky.

I'm betting when the C3 snap ring is pulled out the clutches will jump out of the case. They will be that warped.

Hee hee seen that before. :D

I'm surprised that would be it with the little power he has put to it and no boosted launches. But you never know. Maybe the damage was done before he bought it but I'm confused as to how many transmissions he's gone through.
 

launchpad

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Image-1.jpg
 

launchpad

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Ok, so here's the whole story for those who are interested.

Bought the truck a year ago in Denver (I live in Seattle) Drove it out of town the day I bought it and the Trans went out in Cheyenne, snow storm, no cell coverage, on a flat bed $300 later to the Chev Dealer. Only had reverse, had all sorts of codes, many solenoid related. Spent a week there, previous owner took it back, took it to ATS, got a clean bill of health from ATS which I was told was NEW EVERYTHING. I got the truck back about 6 weeks later, drove to Seattle with no problems.

I had Idaho Rob flash me some tunes. Previous owner said it only had a "remove DPF tune" in it. My first diesel, friends told me truck was faster than sh!t. I sent the tune I had to rob and he said DONT DRIVE IT, said it was the WORST TUNE he had seen in 6 years of tuning the Duramax. He moved me to the front of the list and overnighted me the tunes, installed them, totally different truck. Of the 5 tunes, I have it in TOW tune 99% of the time. I don't pull sleds, race honda's, or take it to the track.

I have been on the phone with ATS numerous times since then with questions about heat, I see 200 degrees in town (before Transynd) and I've seen 215 or so towing a 6000# boat up hills to which they say was fine. That's happened a couple times.

It started last summer with the delay and hard shift into REV. Later the 2-3 shift started to occasionally hang, then MIKE suggested Transynd. That brought the temps down, and seem to help the shifts for a while. Now the 2-3 shift is always rough (after the trans is up to temp) and sometimes the 3-4 is acting up. REV still doing the same.

Since ATS the last time, the truck has about 7000 miles on it. This brings us to yesterday, I parked it last night out of limp mode but with the trans light on.

I'm trying to head down the most logical path. Idaho Rob and others have said that the tunes would normally have very little to do with that. I don't actually have a stock ECM tune, my truck only came with the crazy ruin your truck tune. Chasing down a stock tune would cost x amount of dollars.

I could take it somewhere and have them drop the pan, replace the E solenoid, change the internal filter and the fluid and give everything a good look under there. That could be one plan of action and cost X amount of dollars.

ATS isn't getting this trans back unless they cover 100% of everything, and I don't see that happening. The closest ATS place is in Oregon, 3 hours South. I've just had too much trouble with it. Not bashing ATS, I want to be a FAN I've just been let down too much. I'm all about the Suncoast stuff, I just don't want to drop and rebuild if I don't have to just yet.

This is where I'm at, trying to find a trans shop today- If anyone has any recommends in the Seattle area I'm all ears. There is a place called Pacific Torque where I bought the Transynd, I think they are one of the authorized Allison service centers in the area-

Thanks-
 

Mike L.

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It's not your E solenoid. I would have the pan dropped and filters cut open to see what is in there.
 

MACKIN

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I don't believe a Allison dealer will be able to help unless you just want everything back to stock and in the case the will most likely tell you your core is junk with all the modifications done internally. I have heard of a few that are aware of performance mods but they are far and few between.

Next step is drop the pan as Mike said and I've said but dont be surprised if you find a bunch of debris in there. Once the clutches disintegrate it sends particles through the transmission giving you false diagnostics. Sucks sorry for your troubles
 

launchpad

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I called a local diesel performance shop and got a tranny shop recommendation from them. Going in next week-
 

launchpad

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Standby, truck at Trans shop now. It's gotten worse, limps almost everyday after warming up and twice I've put it in gear and gotten nothing but slippage.

Really wish I never bought that stupid thing- My F150 always ran perfect lol
 

MACKIN

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Thats right you will once you get a working transmission. Sucks that your having all these issues as it will leave you chapped and I don't blame you anyone would feel the same.

I do hope that you are NOT freshening up that ATS transmission and going a different route. If you are you had better think twice! Your best bet would for that transmission to be a core.

I know it will MAYBE be more money but you could have the TC freshened up and get a Suncoast drop in or have a reputable shop build one for you.Thats IF you trust the TC. The ATS transmission you have will need more then just clutch packs to bring it back. If I recall ATS makes different valvebody changes then a Transgo kit. Also you could sell the Co Pilot to recoup some money. I hope your builder is up to snuff

Good luck.
 

launchpad

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They are running the trouble tree now, he's hinting that he thinks there may be a bad seal. When it gets hot, pushes fluid through the seal and causes the drama. stay tuned, still working on it.
 

Josh2002cc

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Apr 2, 2007
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They are running the trouble tree now, he's hinting that he thinks there may be a bad seal. When it gets hot, pushes fluid through the seal and causes the drama. stay tuned, still working on it.

It is time to start over fresh....
 

launchpad

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I suggested that, he said why would you want to replace things that arent broken. I sort of agree, since new guts is $5-6K.

We'll see
 

Josh2002cc

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I suggested that, he said why would you want to replace things that arent broken. I sort of agree, since new guts is $5-6K.

We'll see

I meant more to the side of what other members suggested, finding a good used stock unit and starting fresh from there. I wish you luck though man....you are much more patient than me.
 

launchpad

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trans coming out. removed pan, clutch material and metal, fluid starting to turn.

less than 9000 miles since ATS rebuild at ATS. pissed.
 

BlkMax

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Make sure that the folks working on it now know what ATS has done to the transmission. Doing a conversion back to a PPE, or GMax is not simply replacing the clutches. There are some minor hard parts that need to be replaced also. Make sure you yank the co-pilot when you are in there....

On edit: or major parts, I was only removing an ATS kit, not modifying an Ally that ATS built....