When I put it in D (drive) it wont run?

ANONYMOUS

MEMBER
2004 ISUZU NPR
30,000 MILES

I just bought this 2004 isuzu npr with automatic transmission. But there's a problem that I cant tell what it is. The truck starts perfectly fine, when is on R (reverse) is good. P (parking)is good. When I put it in D (drive) it wont run, when I put 2 (2nd gear) wont run either, When I put it in 1 (first gear) truck runs once the truck is running over 10 rpm all gears work (1) (2) (D). When I get to any stop light and I put it on (D) wont run I have to start with (1st gears) and changing gears while truck starts running any suggestions or answers to this problem?

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This is most likely a torque converter issue. What is happening is when you are putting the vehicle in first gear and get it running above 10 MPH and then the other gears will work means the converter is not able to push the fluid effectively to transfer the power from the engine to the transmission.

What I would suggest is checking codes first and then check the fluid level.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

If the fluid is low, I would suggest filling it or servicing the unit and then retest the operation.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

However, I suspect if the converter is the issue, then even when the fluid is full it will still have this issue.

I am attaching the info below on how to replace the converter.

The way to confirm this is to monitor the turbine or input speed sensor vs the RPM. They should be about the same but if they are not then the converter is the issue.

Images (Click to make bigger)