New guy with a Question........

[Shadow2.4]

I'm new here and hope you guys can help me. I have a 96 XLT 4WD 4.0 I am the 2nd owner of the truck and it has had a pampered life....122,000 miles. Never taken off road and never abused. Problem is with early morning shifting.......when it's cold outside it takes about 2 miles for the trans to shift into OD. Other than that everything on the truck is great....NO problems. Once it makes that first shift into OD then it's fine for the rest of the day.........any ideas ?? THANKS

 

[Opera House]

Most vehicles do not allow the transmission to shift into overdrive until the engine is fully warmed up. Usually about 10 minutes. This is part of the enissions control.

 

[rhyno]

Has the trans fluid ever been changed and flushed? That is very important at the milage you are at. Mine acted similar to this last winter on the very cold nights. Just need to let it warm up for a few minutes.

Welcome to the site, and try the search button above for more reading on this topic. Try searching for "trans trouble shifting"

 

[X~FACTOR]

I just noticed that about mine. But I try not to go over 2k rpm and 40 mph until the engine fully warms up so I don't notice the OD not coming on. What Opera House mentioned make sense to me.

 

[Shadow2.4]

Didn't have the problem in the Summer or even early Fall. Only when it gets below45 or so at night......has to be something going on with the fluid getting a little thicker during this temp drop......i think ?? As I said, takes about 2 miles and then it shifts to OD and the RPM's drop about 600......say I'm running 55 MPH at 2600 RPM's and then it will finally shif and the RPM's drop to 2000 @ 55 MPH. The fluid has not been changed since I've had it, although it is time as I have put about 15,000 miles on it. I believe it was changed regularly by the previous owner.