2005 5SP Holding Gear

Hello there. I’ve had the truck for several years, and many times when the transmission is cold, it will hold a gear rather than shift up. Usually 1, 2 or 3. Yesterday was more concerning because i couldn’t accelerate on a freeway ramp to merge. Lasted about 10s, let off the gas, then it finally shifted up a gear. Thoughts?

 

The automatic transmissions have vanes inside that need to be open (temperature up) before it will shift properly. I don't know about the manual

 

Have you done any maintenance to the transmission?

 

mine is A5.

 

No, never. I also don’t tow, but don’t know if prev owner did…

 

I don't know what a5 means. Your title saying 5speed inclines me to think you have a manual transmission which most trucks did not come with.

If so, you are the minority

 

I guess all the a750's dont have dipsticks, i wonder if someone has put some fix-in-a-can in it & gotten the plastic balls gummed up.

might be worth a drain & fill. Might need a proper flush, depending on milage.

 

Normal behavior and one of the many things covered in this thread, which lists a lot of other quirks, oddities, and concerns for 1st gens.

 

Pardon, 5SP automatic.

 

Damn, I just realized that thread may not actually contain a note about the slow-to-shift-when-cold. We've had a few chats about that here for the later-model 5AT trucks. The lag for me is typically from 2=>3 if memory serves. And it happens frequently. Other members have observed it, reported it, confirmed it. My transmission has well under 100k miles and does it also.

 

Hmmm, may look into that…

 

It's normal for these trucks. Trans has to be warm warm

 

Yup. And there are ways to heat the trans up faster. I updated the thread and added this 'lazy shift' item into the 2nd reply, 'nuisances and TSB' section.

 

So I just swiped through it pretty fast and didn’t see anything.
Haven’t seen this issue mentioned elsewhere, but will have to check.
Interesting…. I wonder if it’s just a harmless quirk that never goes away, or if there is a solution? Thank you

 

Not saying you do not have a problem but after starting, how far had you driven before getting to freeway ramp ?

The reason I ask is because my 04 takes about 2-3 miles before coolant and transmission temps reach the proper range. I've always viewed this as normal if for no other reason than what's noted in the troubleshooting section of an FSM.

 

Thank you

 

About 3-4 miles. Thank you!

 

So, just being curious here, could it not be low on ATF? I had a grand Cherokee that would do the same thing, as well as my truck did the same when it was low after a spill and fill. Added ATF till full in both cases and it stopped. I have 0 problems with mine hanging even when cold, even in the winter.

 

I suppose it could be, but - and this is just my experience - usually when I've had a auto trans that was low on fluid, I'd get a lurch following that late shift, and the lurch was more alarming to me than the late shift. And it was pretty persistent, hot or cold.

 

So I did a very basic oil level check a while back. I let the oil warm up and then loosened and Allen bolt to see if any leaked out and it did right away, which should imply it’s at full level. Also, it appears to be the lader models that have this lazy shift issue.