Any ideas on how to get my TT from Wisconsin to Florida?

Does the van downshift and rev up a bit when climbing those hills at 50 mph?
Have the transmission shop drive it with the trailer.

So as long as I got some expertise on here maybe get help with another problem. That is, the cruise control has been linked the check engine light coming on, in the past the cruise would just slow down gradually but randomly, no set pattern. That seemed to have been fixed at some point. But when I have the cruise on it just doesnt accelerate to keep it up to the set speed. So if I wanted to go 60 I would have to set it to 65 so the "low end" was 60. And when it dips down I tap the gas and then it accelerates. I asked my original mechanic if there was a problem with it and to replace the cruise "arm" assembly and whatever but evidently he couldnt locate parts?
I know it may seem silly to put all this work and money into an old van, but I got it set up inside exactly how I want it and I really like driving it.

drsolo wrote:
So then I press the gas pedal to the floor but the engine does not even drop into a lower gear like it did before and on the day I dropped the transmission. On that day I could stomp the gas pedal and it would drop down and accelerate

Does it not downshift only when towing, or same symptoms when driving without a trailer?

This, to me, points to problem with the new/rebuilt transmission. I don't know if you have a 3 spd (turbo 350/400) or a 4 spd (700-R4) tranny. If 700-R4, then it could be the TV (throttle valve) cable is not adjusted properly. If the 3spd, it could be as "simple" as the cable not connected in the pan. I would take it back to the transmission shop FIRST, and tell them that it is not downshifting into passing gear.

That is where I would start before looking at clogged exhaust, clogged fuel line etc.... If it is not downshifting, that would explain your symptoms.

Mike

Walaby wrote:
Given the only variable that has changed (other than the trailer), is the transmission, that's my bet.
I suppose another option to get it home. Mike

The van, trailer and I are all home in Milwaukee. I am so fortunate that the transmission went on I-94 a mere 45 minutes from home. And a month earlier I had signed up for Good Sam platinum who sent a truck that loaded my van up on it and hooked my trailer behind it while I road home with my husband. And I still have AAA so I had them take the van to the transmission place while a dear neighbor with a truck dragged my trailer to the storage place. I would still like to know who could diagnose my van/trailer problem in the Milwaukee area.

Any suggestions you get are hit or miss. Hard to troubleshoot something via words without seeing or feeling it first hand.

Given the only variable that has changed (other than the trailer), is the transmission, that's my bet. Sure, it was done by a reputable shop, but they can mess up too. Nobody is perfect.

I suppose another option to get it home could be to rent a truck and haul it home, then fly back up and get your van. Still doesn't fix the van, but gets your trailer to Florida.

Mike

AJR wrote:
It really sounds like the rebuilt transmission is not right. Could be a program or a linkage problem. Then again, how does your emergency brake work?

Soon after I bought the van in 2011 I took it to a transmission place just to check it out make sure no problems, they dropped the pan and checked everything out and said it was fine at that time. A couple weeks before I set out with the trailer the first time (Dec. 13) I took it to a little transmission place close to my home and asked him to check the trans for me cause of course I was worried. He told me the trans was like new, in great shape for so old a van. But he just drove it around nothing more (also didnt charge me). And the place that I did have the transmission rebuilt is the best rated in Milwaukee, has the best warranty, in fact where other garages have their transmission rebuilt for them. I didnt get my van back until Dec. 20th.
I have never used my emergency brake. Wouldnt a stuck emergency cause brake wear? They check my brakes, were good, topped up the fluid a bit. What else?

westend wrote:
Your catalytic converter may be suspect and that will rob power. I'd also suggest to take it out of cruise control and operate manually. You do have the van loaded up with weight. Have you packed that much in previously?
I'd also suggest to take the rig to a garage (not the slow idle guy) and have them test drive it. You have too many variables to this problem to diagnose any other way.

Tomorrow I am going to take it in and have the whole fuel line checked including the filter in the gas tank and have the cat tested for back pressure. Engine idle has been a problem for a while. I had trouble with the remote start so the mechanic set it high, too high so I asked it be lowered, then it was too low (450 rpm) and when cold the engine would die as I braked and coasted to a stop. It also would do this strange "surging" at times, this started right after I had the 8 pin brake controller installed, probably unrelated. This last week mechanic #2 set the idle to 800 rpm, the remote start still doesnt work first 3 or 4 times (it isnt that cold out here) and cold engine still dies when I am backing up, creeping along, brake and coast.
I really LOVE cruise control... I think my foot would spasm if I had to keep my food down pedal to the metal for even an hour and frankly it would worry me that it was just too hard on the van.
I dont load my van up in general, I like room to move around. I am taking it back to the truck scales all by itself to see what it really weighs. OK, so I am in Milwaukee where do I take this to be tested?

W5CI wrote:
If you plan your route to Fl, you can get there without having any major hills to pull

Oh yes, I thought of that right away and changed my route.

It really sounds like the rebuilt transmission is not right. Could be a program or a linkage problem. Then again, how does your emergency brake work?

Your catalytic converter may be suspect and that will rob power. I'd also suggest to take it out of cruise control and operate manually. You do have the van loaded up with weight. Have you packed that much in previously?
I'd also suggest to take the rig to a garage (not the slow idle guy) and have them test drive it. You have too many variables to this problem to diagnose any otherway.