Gen 3 tranny sticky going 1st to 2nd?

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I've got a Gen 3 tranny in my car, and in the past couple months, its got a sticky/notchy feeling when going 1st to 2nd. All other gears are fine. Fluid is the OEM Gen 3 fluid. It didn't start this until the weather cooled off down here. The tranny is not much over a year old and a few thousand miles on it. Car normally isn't driven that hard (no track time). Any ideas? I did a search but couldn't find anyone with the same symptoms.

 

[Roysviper]

Hey Chad....I will probly get corrected for saying this but I think this is normal during cold weather. I am thinking that once the fluids warm up it quits having that sticky feeling you are talking about. (as long as you are not having any other symptions) Just my 2 cents....Happy New Year!!! I bet there is a party coming up at ******* for New Years??

 

[Shandon]

I find it typical when running the car in cold weather for the gear box to be sticky/sluggish. After a warm up its fine.

You might see if you can get a ******* girl to warm up your shifter "use your imagination"......

 

[uvbnbit]

Which wing sauce are you running in it? (couldn't resist, yeah, I know...."reeeeaaaal original Chip")

Mine (Gen2) was kinda chunky/sticky 2-3 when cold. I'm gonna guess that's all it is.

 

[99 R/T 10]

to avoid the clunky feel in cold weather, switch to Synthetic Dex VI

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Thanks guys! Thats the one tidbit I forgot to add . Once it warms up, the problem goes away. I just thought it was strange it only affected the 1-2 shift. Even when cold the other gears are fine. This sound normal as well?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Hey Chad....I will probly get corrected for saying this but I think this is normal during cold weather. I am thinking that once the fluids warm up it quits having that sticky feeling you are talking about. (as long as you are not having any other symptions) Just my 2 cents....Happy New Year!!! I bet there is a party coming up at ******* for New Years??

Thanks Roy. I actually rode with Lance in your old white/black/red ACR when I was in SoCal after VOI. What a beautiful car I'll be spending New Years in VA with a friend and I don't think she's much of a ******* fan. Luckily, I think I'll be going to ******* before she gets off work New Years Eve

You might see if you can get a ******* girl to warm up your shifter "use your imagination"......

Ok, I'll do ******* for lunch and post pics later

Which wing sauce are you running in it? (couldn't resist, yeah, I know...."reeeeaaaal original Chip")

Normally just medium, but maybe I should upgrade to "911" for the winter months. That should warm it up quicker

Mine (Gen2) was kinda chunky/sticky 2-3 when cold. I'm gonna guess that's all it is.

I like this idea. I just don't wanna hear "sounds like a synchro going bad"

to avoid the clunky feel in cold weather, switch to Synthetic Dex VI

Thanks Mike. The lack of a ******* joke shows you are the only person that can be taken seriously around here

 

[TowDawg]

Mine's the same way. Tough/sluggish feeling when it's cold, but fine after a little drive. I've honestly never noticed if it's just a specific gear to gear change or not.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Sounds "normal" to me Chad for Vipers using Mopar's Synthetic Manual Tansmission Lubricant 75W-85 (which is Castrol Syntorq). This was the factory fill for 99 through 06 Vipers...also used under a TSB to treat neutral gear rattle on 94 through 98 Vipers.

Cold weather magnifies the "stiff feeling" inherent with this fluid.

 

[MarcRoth]

DO NOT USE GEAR LUBE!!!!! That will for sure cause the problem use only type III trans fluid or a synthetic trans oil only.

 

[wikkid]

RP synchromesh is good stuff. Worked better for me then the Dex VI.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Reminder: There have been bad outcomes noted with use of GL-5 tranny fluids in the T-56's...including those used in Gen III's.

Consider reviewing this old post...especially Tom's insights:

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-gts-discussions/624272-dextron-4-vs-dextron-3-a.html#post2671852

 

[Viper X]

Chad,

1 - 2 notchy feel is pretty normal in cold weather. I've been "double clutching" it, i.e. clutch in, shift to neutral, let clutch out for a few seconds, clutch back in, shift to second; for the first few cold shifts which helps smooth things out. All is OK when warm.

Dan
Dan

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Chad,

1 - 2 notchy feel is pretty normal in cold weather. I've been "double clutching" it, i.e. clutch in, shift to neutral, let clutch out for a few seconds, clutch back in, shift to second; for the first few cold shifts which helps smooth things out. All is OK when warm.

Dan
Dan

Thank you, Dan. The stickiness really doesn't bother me, I just wanted to confirm it was normal. I'll give the double clutching a shot just for the heck of it to see how the 1-2 shift feels then.

 

[SingleMalt]

Just use this excuse to install a Gen4 tranny. All I can say is WOW -- best shifting transmission EVER. I've driven most everything out there.

 

[Mopar Boy]

For your question of sticky 1 and 2 only, was this not something to do with double synchro on those two gears? That makes those two gears stick a little more as there is twice the friction? Or am I thinking of a diesel tranny.....