Odd Transmission Issues in 2010 4WD 4.0

[Larnach]

I was hoping maybe somebody could shed some light on the issue I've been having (a shop has looked at it too and "fixed" it)

Long story short, the O/D Off light was flashing a few weeks back and went away. No issues, then coming back from Ocotillo last weekend it came back on, I noticed about 30 miles into it being on the transmission was slipping pretty bad and my truck was leaving a cloud of smoke behind me. Pulled off the highway and looked underneath the truck. PUDDLES of transmission fluid were on the ground in seconds and smoke filled the cab.

Towed the truck to a shop and they said that after doing a dye test that an O-ring had blown out of the dipstick neck - they replaced the O-ring, flushed the transmission and did another dye test - no leaks. I've been driving it all week, till today. I was heading back out to Ocotillo when I noticed a smell of burning transmission fluid. I thought maybe that this was residue from before, but again the transmission started slipping in 3/4/5 and smoke was pouring out the back. I pulled over again and the same damn problem! Puddles of transmission fluid. I checked the fluid level, cleaned the dipstick, rechecked, all was good.

I let things cool down and started heading back home (I was about 65 miles out) - about 15 miles in/20 minutes the O/D off light came on and I pulled off the road to let things cool down. I realized that it wasn't smoking anymore, the fluid levels were good, but I had to start off manually in 1st, shift to second, then switch to D around 45mph, but I couldn't go more than 1/5th throttle or it would slip. I babied this thing through the back roads and made it home about 2-1/2 hours later. No more leaking, relatively dry underneath the truck, but I see that it's possibly leaking from the transmission/transfer case junction - has anybody had this issue? Transmission is crap in 1st if you get on the throttle, 2nd is strong, 3, 4 and OD are crap, but only when it's warm. I know I definitely lost about 2 quarts so that's probably causing slippage, but where would this leak come from?

Any ideas?

Many thanks.

 

[adsm08]

The truck has realized it is in California and is objecting.

Seriously though, get the codes. Something is up that has raised a flag with the computer. I'm thinking it may be overheating the trans, which can happen if the cooler is plugged.

 

[Larnach]

Hahaha, yea I wouldn't blame it for that either!

Good call, that's what I was hoping to do too, but the shop was saying that no codes were present. This is a reputable shop too, I've taken every vehicle and job I didn't have time/tools to do work on there.

 

[Dirtman]

Completely plausible to not be able to read the codes. The transmission codes need to be read when the od light is actually flashing (that means there is a pending code). Once it stops flashing the code clears itself from the memory. Only If the problem persists long enough does it become a stored code and then the CEL will also come on.

I agree with adsm, sounds like its overheating and dumping fluid from the vent. If it overheats it would clear the code once it drops back to normal temp...