Weird second to third gear shifting on 32RH transmission

[hear]

An accumulator is a sort of shock absorber for fluid pressure. It slows down application of clutches and bands and controls shift timing. They are used to take the harshness out of shifts. Shift timing being how long it takes to apply the clutch or whatever, not between different gears.

TV, governor, and valve body together control shift schedule.

Im not a 32RH guru, but if it doesnt seal well enough to even keep it in the bore its leaking. I would think that is bad because it will lower the pressure of the circuit it is in.

Yeah, my accumulator stayed in until I took it out, and the whole unit had been flipped upside down several times. I didn't know it wasn't held in by a snap ring, at least initially.

From the FSM, p 21-70

Operate the transmission in all gear ranges. Check
for slippage and shift variations. Note whether the
shifts are harsh, spongy, delayed, early, or if part
throttle downshifts are sensitive.
Watch closely for slippage or engine flare which
usually indicates clutch, band or overrunning clutch
problems. If the condition is advanced, an overhaul
may be necessary to restore normal operation

A flare into 3rd could be if that clutch pack is slow to apply, but my "expertise" is mainly around how to take it apart and put it back together, and less of "if it's doing X then you have Y problem." One day, perhaps....

 

[CMBD]

Do not diminish your trans tech status, you rock

Sooo... what circuit is that accumulator in? When you look up that accumulator piston, its just an "accumulator". A leaking accumulator could cause a slow application due to low circuit pressure.

Every thing else I have worked on that had piston or valve type accumulators listed them as 1-2, 2-3, or other shift accumulators.

 

[hear]

I’ve never really tried to read those hydraulic circuit diagrams. But I would like to know how.

 

[DevinStewart]

Okay since that’s my only lead I went ahead and bought one, coming tomorrow. Hopefully that will make a stronger seal and fix the feel of the shift.

 

[DevinStewart]

Happy to report that the accumulator fixed the rest of my problems! The new one made a great seal and now the trans feels good as new. The shifts are smooth, quick and happen when they should now. I even did another WOT test and I think I shaved off about 8 seconds from before when I couldn’t get my rpms past 3000 and second was nonexistent. I’m overall very happy with the feel of it, it doesn’t feel sluggish at all anymore. I couldn’t thank you both enough for the help, you guys gave me the exact answers I needed. And Im so glad I can rest easy knowing that my brand new rebuild is being treated right now. Again thank you both for the suggestions and another thank you to hear for your original videos and diagrams, even if your wife was upset you spent so much time in the garage I sure am glad!

 

[hear]

Lol, she loves that I work in the garage. Before this hobby I did the rock band thing, which was somehow more expensive and caused me to be out *late* 3-4 nights a week. Plus one of my kids got to film, so she’s never gonna complain about this stuff.

I’m always excited when somebody uses my videos to tackle it. I was really hoping to demystify the black box of automatic transmissions. So glad you had the courage to try it, and glad we got you up and running 100%.

 

[hear]

p.s. any chance you have a picture of the bottom end of your dipstick while it was removed?