I had purchased a ATS trans for my truck in may i got a stage one and it came with a 5 start TC. I am starting to think this thing is not right. Since day one the tans has been neck snapping shifting(everyone of my friends say oh thats cause it has a shift kit) i don't think so it just feels and sounds like something is gonna break when it shift.

Recently i have been noticing that when i really get on it the trans acts as if it doesent know what gear to be in and my truck will rev out like its slipping really bad.Also when i put it in drive and reverse it make a "Knock" sound.

My problem is i installed the trans myself and ATS states that you have to pay freight for getting it out to them if not installed by a certified mechanic and thats ($500) for me in jersey.

Oh yeah another problem is god forbid i sit in traffic for 10 mins the trans temp will go through the roof i have seen it hit 210*F

I just dont know what to do i haven't called ats yet but i feel like somethings gotta give this thing aint right but i cant afford to ship it out there they already got over 3000 outta me

 

Man you ARE in a pickle.
My question is, does it have to go to ATS?
I mean, it would be best if it went there cause its their trans stuff yes, but if you cant afford it, you cant afford it. Maybe take it to a local shop. Still somewhere good though, AAMCO is nation wide isnt it?

I hardly know a thing about trans, I do know it will for sure shift hard, but the rest doesnt sound too good. Especially the trans temp.

Hope others chime in.

 

I belive it does have to go back only becuase it was installed by myself.....now if it wasent i could bring it to any ats certified shop(there are a couple on this coast).... Its just honestly sad haha my stock trans wasent really even bad but i went and wanted to buy a trans that i would never have to worry about....and now my trans is all i worry about

 

Well before I bought my truck (01.5) I went and drove a few older ones 96-99's and they all shifted rough. I was told by other guys that it was normal for those years because of tranny design, etc.

 

honestly i dont mind the rough shifting that isnt whats bothering my its the hessatation of the trans like its slipping when i romp on it and the metal knock sound when i put it in drive and reverse sometimes and the temp shooting up so fast are my real problems. has anyone on here ever bought an stage 1 ats with 5 star tc

 

Before you go to crazy thinking about what to do, call them. They might know what the problem is and the solution might be something you can handle.

 

If an ATS certified shop is close by, take it to them and let them look at it. Can't hurt to have them look.

ATS might be willing to work with you if a dealer/shop of theirs is backing up your claims about the trans itself.

You have nothing to lose by doing so.

Jeff

 

yeah im gonna give them a call on monday and see what they have to say hopefully it will be some good news. im just hoping they arent gonna make me pay for them to take out the trans and put it back in

 

Well, it has been a week. What did you find out? I really want to find out how there customer service is.

 

Where are you taking your trans temps at? If it's the hot line out then it's normal to get high.
You want to know the pan temp, that's the critical one.

 

sorry about the wait guys i just got back to school for my senior year and have been really busy. I have called them twice once they were closed(Time Zone Difference messed me up) and the second time It was like impossible to get a straight answer from them they told me to make sure i have everyting assembled correctly and asked if i did a cooler flush.......my sending unit for trans temp is in the pan and it reaches temps if 210* and if i dont throw the truck in neutral it will rise past that

 

Sounds to me like there is problems in the valve body. Any trans shop should be able to diagnose it for you. Still a heck of a lot cheaper than sending it back.

 

I'd also check the rear diff for play- put the truck in N, set parking brake and crawl under it. Try to rotate the prop shaft, and try to wiggle it too- the noise you describe when going into D or R can also be the shaft rotating through it's play and then hitting hard.
About the trans- what does your fluid look like? Any smell, discoloration etc?
Do you have a resistor or voltage regulator in the governor pressure sensor circuit?
Is your throttle valve cable adjusted correctly (as per transmission builder's specs)?
These are the things I would check first because they can all lead to the symptoms you describe and do not mean that the transmission itself is at fault, and checking can be done by yourself (no costs)

HTH

AlpineRAM

Disclaimer: I don't have an ATS transmission, but in my uneducated opinion it is worthwhile to check the periphery if a device does not operate the way it is intended to operate.

 

You will have to force ATS to work with you. By this I mean, do what they say and then report back to them. Document each phone call time and date and who you talked to. Keep a log. If you feel you are not making head way, then you post here what is going on. One of the best ways to get these companies to respond is to post online when you are not getting support. It is sad that you have to go to this extent but trust me it works. You can't give up or you won't get it resolved. Ask ATS if they feel it would benefit you to get the truck to the local ATS dealer. There is some comfort in having an ATS dealer look at it and help you. I feel for you. I went through a similar experince with ATS.