Gen 2.5 Transmission funky only when cold

[reversecaoboy]

For as long as I can remember, the transmission has been a bit funky on my Montero, but only when starting and driving it cold. (Not ambient temperature wise)

If I don't sit and let the car warm up for a few minutes (which I usually do anyways because I live like 1/2 mile from the main freeway onramp), the truck holds second gear abnormally long, and the transmission appears like it is slipping while cruising on the highway. Cruising RPM is notably higher, and if I let off the accelerator the rpms drop to where it normally would be. The minute I apply throttle again it climbs back up and holds a constant RPM while the truck is slowly accelerating again, like it is slipping

Example: usually cruising at an indicated 65mph, RPM's are 2500. But when I have this issue, cruising at 65mph the RPM's are more like 2800.

I've noticed if I shift it back into Park and then back into Drive, the symptoms go away and it's like nothing ever happened.

I did a drain and fill of the transmission with Aisin SPIII right after I got it, but haven't touched it since.

Any thoughts?

 

[Salonika]

Sounds like you should browse the FSM’s transmission chapters.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Our 96 seems slow to shift when cold but never seems like it's slipping at all, even after a new filter and fluid it still does it. Our 98 on the other hand shifts smooth cold or warm.

 

[reversecaoboy]

What's troubling to me is what it only happens when I start driving it cold. I can drive 50+ miles and if I don't stop and cycle through park back to drive, it will continue to act that way until I do.

I checked over the FSM and my owners manual, and it calls for DEXRON II. Am I at fault here for using the Aisin SPIII? Other than fluid, I can't think of another reason why it would only act this way until I stop and cycle through the gears.

 

[TheMole]

Any idea what the previous fluid was in there? Maybe it was a non sp3 ATF? Try a drain and fill x3 if funds permit.

 

[reversecaoboy]

No clue what fluid was used before. My best guess is a dexron ATF since that is what is called for in the owner's manual.