Hard shifting in A340 after transgo kit and rebuild

I recently dropped my A340e transmission, swapped out the output shaft from an A340f, and added a transfer case for my 4wd conversion. While I had the tranny out I also installed the transgo SK 340 kit in the valve body.

Since installing I've noticed that the shifting has been more aggressive - going from park to drive the truck pulls forward with a lot more go and some of the shifts are a bit hard. The symptoms really only seem to be there when transmission is cold, maybe the first 5 minutes after startup. In general the transmission is noticeably more responsive, but I am concerned about those hard shifts.

I'm wondering if anybody else has installed the transgo kit and this is normal or if I should be worried that I did something wrong with all the work that I did. One of the things that the transgo kit has you do is remove some of the check balls in the valve body, which I thought was really strange, but did anyway. If anybody else has dealt with this I'd love to get some TW insight!

 

The trans go will make the upshifts more aggressive . The kit is designed to prevent slipping .
It is possible you have a stuck valve or perhaps accidently installed a valve backwards
Does your trans have a cable going down to the transmission ?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

 

Yes, it has the kick down cable going into it as opposed to an electric one. Could it be an issue with this being out of adjustment? I tried to reinstall with the same cable tension, but perhaps I messed that up?

If I'm not mistaken I only removed one valve to install the transgo bits. I was very meticulous but I suppose it's possible I did something there. Since it seems to be doing well once it's warmed up, I would be more inclined to think that maybe it's a "sticky" valve rather than a completely stuck valve.

 

If you go to that link above there is an adjustment for the cable in PDF format . In most cases those cables stretch over the years causing sloppy shifting and low pressures . That being said , I doubt its a cable issue .

Without looking at the shift kit instructions , my first guess is a sticky valve . Sticky valving is common after transmission work

You could try Lubegaurd black . That stuff works wonders for sticky valves .

$13 Lubegard 61910 Highly Friction Modified ATF Supplement, 10 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-619...keywords=lubegard+black&qid=1634848624&sr=8-4

 

Awesome, that thread is (and has been) such a great resource!

Thanks for the tip on the additive - I will try that and see if it helps.

 

I will be interested to see if that works for you. I just had the same kit installed with a rebuild and had the builder install the street springs. My shifts from park to drive or reverse are aggressive as well. I have had shift kits on other vehicle and have never had anything near as aggressive as this. The builder said he never recommends shift kits beside race vehicles and heavy tow rigs, because on daily drive they are usually more aggressive than most are expecting.

have you had the builder take it for a test drive? I have being meaning to have mine driven, but haven’t had a chance to get there.

 

I would try to adjust that kick down cable and see if that helps. Also how many miles did you put on it since the install and did you reset ecm memory.

 

I have the transgo kit installed into my A340F. There a a couple of settings you can choose when you drill out the hole in the valve body gasket. "hot rod" & "truck". the hotrod setting will cause the trans to shift really hard. Could it be possible you used the hodrod setting? Mine is set to truck and the shifts aren't that bad.

You can also over tension the kickdown cable at the throttlebody and it will cause the transmission to shift hard with the transgo kit installed. it's best to set it with little to no slack. if you over adjust it will overpressure your shifts.

 

I did all the work myself so I didn't have a transmission person to drive and tell me if what I'm feeling is normal. I suppose it's good to hear that you are having similar results from your install. As others mentioned I will check the cable this weekend and then try some of that lubegard additive.

 

I've probably put about 200 miles on it so far. I disconnected the battery completely before I dropped the transmission - does this reset the ecm memory? Sorry for my ignorance if there's a proper way to reset the ecm.

 

The TW urban legend says that to reset the ECM, disconnect the battery for a minimum of 30 minutes. This is likely based on facts, the FSM perhaps.

You should be good.

 

Did you figure out what your issue was? #oldthreadbump