It also sounds like what has been happening to me for a while now - The torque converter is draining while parked and you aren't waiting long enough for it to re-fill before driving out of your garage.

Is it real slow to engage in reverse that first time?

It also sounds like what has been happening to me for a while now - The torque converter is draining while parked and you aren't waiting long enough for it to re-fill before driving out of your garage.

Is it real slow to engage in reverse that first time?

I'm not low on fluid either. Interesting tho, mine does not make any noise that I am conscious of, it just drags the engine into a stall sometimes when I do the R-D shift. My understanding is that it does that b/c the converter isn't properly filled yet after startup, and doesn't allow proper slip to keep the engine running.

I'll admit that transmissions are still somewhat magic to me, I know that they are basically just a big hydraulic system and without proper pressure... You gots no go. But as the natural state is UNLOCKED and loose... I find it interesting that the TC remains locked in reverse when you shift to drive without sufficient fluid into the TC.

Mine takes a few seconds (up to 10) to engage reverse when it wants to behave like this, and 5 seconds later when I shift to drive... Is when it will be a 50/50 shot to stall or just go normally.

Mr Mopar, thoughts from the engineering department?

Sounds like converter failure. What converter is in the vehicle, one of the first OEM converters, Euro JK converter, or other aftermarket? It sounds like a classic failure of the OEM converters from the start of production.

I have had this problem too since I changed fluid/filters several months ago. Some have suggested a faulty filter; seems like it was mentioned built-in check valve/flapper in the pancake filter. Haven't wanted to drop pan and go through the filter change again so I just put in gear holding brake for several seconds before proceeding on. If I don't, It'll act real squirrely and sometimes not shift out of 3rd.
geordi, could this be related to the limp mode we've been experiencing lately?

With the original OEM converters, this was a frequent failure mode. As it was explained to me, what happens is that after shuddering for so long (or bottoming the springs while you don't "feel" the shudder, or from overheating), the stator becomes damaged and effectively jams itself with the turbine. With this, when the transmission is engaged the fluid pressure in the converter causes it to lock-up against the housing and with the vehicle at stand-still when engaging Drive the engine stalls.

This might not be the 100% correct explanation but in a nutshell, the converter is coming apart and is self-engaging into a sort of lock-up. It would be a good idea to plan for a replacement before the converter completely fails and sends parts through the rest of the trans.

With the original OEM converters, this was a frequent failure mode. As it was explained to me, what happens is that after shuddering for so long (or bottoming the springs while you don't "feel" the shudder, or from overheating), the stator becomes damaged and effectively jams itself with the turbine. With this, when the transmission is engaged the fluid pressure in the converter causes it to lock-up against the housing and with the vehicle at stand-still when engaging Drive the engine stalls.

This might not be the 100% correct explanation but in a nutshell, the converter is coming apart and is self-engaging into a sort of lock-up. It would be a good idea to plan for a replacement before the converter completely fails and sends parts through the rest of the trans.

x2, iv had so many issues with my built trans in my cummins iv pretty much seen it all(you wouldnt think so).
But iv had all kinds of issues like lock up issues,"hunt for shift issues"....then god forbid i put a manual lock up switch....But yea this sounds like it would be the problem, most logical

I see you have a Cummins as well, have you ever been to http://forum.mopar1973man.com/index.php

With the original OEM converters, this was a frequent failure mode. As it was explained to me, what happens is that after shuddering for so long (or bottoming the springs while you don't "feel" the shudder, or from overheating), the stator becomes damaged and effectively jams itself with the turbine. With this, when the transmission is engaged the fluid pressure in the converter causes it to lock-up against the housing and with the vehicle at stand-still when engaging Drive the engine stalls.

This might not be the 100% correct explanation but in a nutshell, the converter is coming apart and is self-engaging into a sort of lock-up. It would be a good idea to plan for a replacement before the converter completely fails and sends parts through the rest of the trans.