Dodge Ram Transmission Problems

maryannkacz · June 2010

98 Dodge Ram Van 3500 4 speed auto transmission is stuck in 1st gear. Changed transmission oil and filter, many metal shavings found. Was told may be in "limp mode". Any ideas on what to check? Speedometer works. Was told may be solenoid.

jmb11 · June 2010

I have a 96 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 360 in it. It is just a two door 2-wheel drive truck and I am having transmission problems with it. The truck will only go in reverse. When you put it in 1st, 2nd, or drive it will not move any as if it was still in neutral. But the reverse works great. If anyone knows what i can do to fix it or what might be wrong with it i would really appreciate your help.

cecil3 · June 2010

im replacing the torque converter and im at the point of removing the tc from the driveplate and cant get to the bolts i did find a cover plate up above exaust bracket and i think these are the bolts but how do i turn it thanks for any help

affdesco · June 2010

As a somewhat diagnostician.. I offer this conundrum..
1999 Dodge Van, 48RE trans no shift from 2-3rd or 4th
Occurs when the gas tank has less than 1/16 basically on empty.
I would drive towards work no shift would occur.
Stopped at gas station on many occasions..
When I put in gas the transmission would begin shifting again.
Few times I stopped w/ out putting in gas.. problem continued.

So how can the gas tank, gas line or ??? have anything to do with the transmission shifting.

This went on for 6 months Yes,,, just keep gas in it!!! Were all smart.. but the question still bugs me.. and then one day speedometer went to 0, and no longer works, the transmission will not shift from 2nd.. up to 3rd or 4th and I took it to a tranny shop that found no code issues but suggested that is was the governor sensor, tranducer/solenoid and trans speed sensor..

So.. I disconnected the battery for a bit and will check and replace all fuses that might have a relationship. Seemed funny that the gov sensor, solenoid and speed sensor all went out at once.. I think the tranny shop is guessing and recommending all 3 replacements..

But.. I still wonder if there is a fuse or something else I should check first..
I have purchased the sol/transducer and two sensors and am ready to replace them also.

bugs0215 · June 2010

I have a hemi 04 ram quad cab 4x4 and i recently bought a travel trailer it weights about 7000lbs loaded. I took it on a 2 hour trip and back. My question is after now the ram don't seem to shift as it did. I notice at low speeds like stopping the truck seems to push me while the brake is on right at the stop. I did notice when i was backing the trailer up in regular R not low range i felt the tranny slip like hop. Do i have a tranny problem coming on or what?

bobwinner · June 2010

Your Hemi certainly should handle a 7000 lb load. Drive your truck a mile or so, then raise the hood and feel of the tranny cooling lines that run to the radiator or to an auxillary tranny cooler. They should be too hot to touch. If they are not, you have a blocked cooling line. Remove the check balls. bobwinner

bobwinner · June 2010

Sounds like a rear tranny seal. Not a rebuild, but a seperation of tranny and transfer to allow replacing the seal. bobwinner

bobwinner · June 2010

Sounds like a over heat problem. Check your tranny cooler to be sure it gets hot, which indicates it is circulation the tranny fluid thru the cooling fins. bobwinner

bugs0215 · June 2010

I checked the hoses and they was warm but no means hot. I will have to investigate the check balls.

mir550 · June 2010

Just got the truck out from the trans shop, It took them 3 weeks to fix all the problems. Because after each week, they would say " here you go, we did our job" and then after hooking my loaded trailer and driving it in the city. It won't shift into 5 n 6 gear. And again P0700 pops up. I don't know why it's overheating, they put extra cooler in front of the radiator and still, when opened yesterday everything the cooler and radiator were super super hot. How can I fix this problem. I'm desperate. Thank you.

bobwinner · June 2010

They should have been so hot you couldn't hold them. When you remove the lines, use a drill with a 3/8 bit and just drill into the rubber balls and pull out. bobwinner

bobwinner · June 2010

This is a messy test, but I think you are at that point. Disconnect one tranny cooling line, aim it somewhere harmless, and have someone crank the truck and put it in drive. Fluid should squirt SEVERAL feet. if it does not, you may have a weak pump. bobwinner

twotoedcrow · June 2010

Transmission wont shift when the gas tank is near empty ?i read that and thought that sounds crazy ,but it happened to me the same way.it wouldnt shift from 2nd to 3rdi was very concerned to say the least.i read that and thought i ll try this once and see what happens.i put gas in it and it worked and went down the road great.thanks for the information.

dustyk · June 2010

If you have a 2004 Ram and it has a V8 motor, you have a 545RFE transmission. The anti-drainback valve ("check balls") is in the transmission, not in the radiator as is common with Chrysler-built cars.

Before I'd suspect a clogged anti-drainback valve in a 545RFE, I would sooner suspect a clogged return filter.

By the way, the 545RFE is a fully adaptive transmission, which means it adjusts shift schedule and shift points dependent on driver and load behaviors. While pulling the trailer, it relearned a shift schedule for that type of driving. Now that the trailer weight has been removed, it probably thinks there's still 7000 pounds of weight to pull around. Driving for a period of time without the trailer weight should readapt to the latest driving behavior.

Regards,
Dusty

josh0607 · June 2010

Hello. I really need help. my '00 ram V10 2500 with 110k miles, will not come out of first(I think) until I let off the gas and rpm's go down. then it'll shift up, but if i gun it after the shift, rpm's will shoot sky high and I ofcourse let off again to continue the process of shifting up again. Once into third I'm okay to accelerate how i want to get onto a highway, etc. It's great on the highway. Am I gonna be able to go to a transmission shop and get this thing taken care of, or will my fear come true that they won't know what to do and send me elsewhere? I cannot afford much at all, and actually plan on waiting til my next tax return to take care of it. I've been driving it like this for many months and think it'll stay like this but I need it fixed. Seems like a lotta people write in about this but I don't see any answers or replies. Give it your best shot, what is it, how much? Thanks a lot guys, have a good one.

bugs0215 · June 2010

Thanks Dusty that does makes sence. I did take it to a tranny shop today for service it needed the oil and filter changed anyways and hopefully that will solve it.

pebblesworth69 · June 2010

I have a dodge 6 speed transmission. It keeps lockin up goin down the road and nobody knows whats wrong with it. ive heard several different things it could be but dont know for sure. How much do you think it would cost and whats the problem. Any answers would greatly be appreciated. Thanks

ramlovr · June 2010

It could be several things. Could be your governor pressure solenoid.Could also be your torque converter is going out.My truck started to do the same thing. Replaced the solenoid but it was the torque converter. Replaced tranny at a cost of $2300.00 Read some of the earlier posts there are many about this subject. The two most likely causes are the solenoid or torque converter.

josh0607 · June 2010

Thank you very much for your reply. Any info I can get will help me save money, hassles, time, etc. One more question: How much was it to replace the torque converter? How much to replace teh solenoid? Or was this all done with the $2300 tranny replacement? Do I take it to a transmission shop to have the torque converter and/or solenoid replaced? Thank you very much.

ramlovr · June 2010

If I were you I would take your truck to a ATRA Automatic Transmission Rebuilders association Shop and have it looked at. When my truck first started kicking out of OD I replaced the solenoid but it just got worse and started slipping in first. I called three shops 2 said my torque converter was going out and I needed a new trans. The third actually told me my tranny was fine but I needed a new computer. I'm glad I didn't listen to them because I would have been out 400 bucks.It could be just your solenoid of worst case your torque converter. My trans guy installed a rebuilt trans and heavy duty converter and an aftermarket cooler.ATRA members build their own transmissions.I'm not sure if they will just replace the converter as no shop gave me that option? Good luck. Let me know what you find out.

josh0607 · June 2010

Thank you very much I really appreciate your help. That's gonna help me save some money, so thanks again. I'll let y'all know what happens.

ccauto1 · June 2010

what will happen if a shift c able breaks on a 48re trans. in a 2004 dodge 3500 with a 5.9 cummins

thatazguy · July 2010

My 97 Ram had a problem shifting from 2nd to 3rd, very similar to yours. I have had professionals tell me I needed a new tranny, etc etc. I took my truck to an old grumpy engineer on his old (non functional) pig farm for a second opinion. I had already changed out the sensors on the transmission and fought the issue for awhile. He pulled the pan and declared the tranny healthy. SO- the point - pull your wire connections and use dielectric gel. Last time I was out to the farm, he was shooting PB Blaster on the back of the connections to eat green off the wires anywhere we couldn't see it. My main issue was actually at the firewall block under the steering wheel. Once the gel is applied (squirt some on the connections then use a piece of cardboard or something to clean off the excess) make sure the connections are reconnected securely. MOST of the problems I have been having with my Dodge have been related to bad wiring connections or bad wiring insulation. Check for sparks in the dark also, looking for bad insulation. Please post whether this helps or not. Thanks.

josh0607 · July 2010

Man, I really wish I could tell you if it worked or not, but I am not mechanically inclined. I have no clue where to begin or how to do what you're suggesting. If you think I could do this possibly using the book for my truck, then I might try it.
What I'm trying to do using this forumn, is take the info to a tranny shop and use suggestions to possibly curb them from ripping me off with a new tranny. My truck isn't getting any better or worse, and I commute 60 miles a day for work, so I can either keep doing it or slowly go crazy not being able to accelerate like I want to. Can you give me a bit more info on what you did?

ron148 · July 2010

FLUID IS MOVING TEMP UP TO 165 DEG THE TIME I CHECKED IT AT THE COOLER , ITS NOT OVERHEATING , JUST HEAT RELATED ,CODE GOV PRESS HI BUT THATS NEW SENSER ALSO

poppybear · July 2010

I started the truck it made a loud whining noise I put it in reverse-noise gone and backed up fine-shifted into drive-loud whining noise and no movement.Can't do anything but reverse. What do you think-torque converter,transmission pump,or does the whole tranny need replaced,rebuilt?

poppybear · July 2010

It is 98 Ram1500 4x4 318 5.2 engine

rstchuck · July 2010

I have a durango 1999 I replaced the front pump seal and it still has a small leak when driven but mostly when parked I check the fluid and its perfect. It was suggested it maybe the pump house bushing but when I had it out it looked fine as far as i could see without removal. Do you think I should have replace the bushing? and do you think this will stop the seepage its not a real leak it seeps mostly when parked. ? :mad:

mlarivee · July 2010

I have a 95 dodge ram 1500 and it has a small leak in the rad. I have been having problems with the transmission going into gear and stalling once is warms up. when it is just started and for approx 5 miles of driving it works perfect. Any ideas what could be causing it and if it is the rad or am I going to have to replace the tranny? Thanks

bobwinner · July 2010

If the leakage from the rad is water or coolant, then you really have two unrelated problems. You know what to do about a radiator leak, just have it fixed or replaced. Now, about the other. Drive the truck 5 miles as you said. Then feel of the tranny cooler. It should be so hot that holding your hand on it is very uncomfortable. If it is not pretty hot, it is not doing the job of cooling the tranny fluid, which is overheating and disrupting your automatic tranny. The culprit will be two rubber check balls, one in each tranny line very near the tranny cooler connection. Remove those rubber balls, such as by using a 3/8 drill to pull them out. Should solve the problem. bobwinner

mlarivee · July 2010

the tranny cooler is in the rad so I wouldn't be able to check it, also checked the lines before and they are free.

01ram1500 · July 2010

my 1500 5.2L 318 shifts from 1st into it seems like 3rd...because it shifts at about 3200 rpm then is taken down to about 2300 rpm...also when i go up hill or try to pass it shifts into first. like i'll be going uphill at about 35mph and it comes out of od then it down shifts in 3rd, now im doing roughly 28mph so i apply a little thottle and the next thing i know my truck is at about 4200 rpm then it goes back into 3rd then the rpm is @2200 ( i still haven't changed pedal position since i try to gain a little speed) then it goes back into 1st @4200 rpm again....any ideas on whats going on?

And another thing is when i put the gear selector into 2nd i cant gain speed the rpms just increase or it downshifts into 1st...while driving....if i take off while it in the 2nd postion it won't shift out of 1st

01ram1500 · July 2010

mine does that too.....what did u end up having to do?

mine shift at 3 to 4 grand but it shifts even if i dont let off the gas

cowgirl65707 · July 2010

Just trying to determine if this code would indicate that the PCM is causing the erratic shifting in my 2001 Dodge 5.9L V8 4WD. No other symptoms with the tranny except terrible gas mileage and erratic RPMs.....but can reset the CEL and it will shift fine until I turn it off and the CEL comes on again. If I replace the PCM, what is the best route ~~ go to dealer, buy an aftermarket and have it programmed, or just go get one and replace it and see what happens???? Sorry if this has already been addressed in another thread but when I search this P code, nothing comes up. Thanks so much!!

thatazguy · July 2010

Your message didn't auto email me so I didn't know you responded. I just discovered it, so sorry it took so long. I will take some pics and such, but I don't see a way to post them. Any ideas?

thatazguy · July 2010

See post 1598

npolley43 · July 2010

i have a 99 ram 1500. i was coming home when i heard the gear grinding. then the transmission kicked out. i tried park, drive, rev, 1st and 2nd gears the truck would do nothing. even free wheeled while in park. today i went out and started the truck and it seems to be working. anyone have any idea whats going on.

timorr_06 · July 2010

1999 1500 2 wheel drive auto, 5.2 liter
trans was operating just fine when it stopped shifting into drive, was stuck in second. i tried manually shifting back and forth but no change, tried changing trans fuse under the hood. i check all the connections into the trans and all appeared to be fine.
today i pulled off one conection at a time and checked the trans operation. when i pulled apart one conection...started up and drove with the connector off.... the trans now operates in every gear... only i have to shift through them manually.
the connector that i pulled off was on the drivers side a little above the center line and set back on the tranny a little. it was a circular connection. (there is another connector on the same side but it is lower and towards the front is a square connetor)
thanks in advance for your input!!!

timorr_06 · July 2010

i need to ad this info to my last post...
the "circular" connector i referred to is circular on the inside and almost square-rectangle on the outside. there are ten wires going into the connector. this conection is above the trans oil pan, there are two connections on the drivers side and this is the one that sits higher and further back.

monkeyme · July 2010

I attempted to adjust my rear band myself because i did not have reverse. I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 4x4 with the 318 engine. I believe I have the 46rh transmission. Not sure. Well my problem is that I over torqued the rear band adjustment screw and heard a snap. Now I have a floppy kickdown lever. Am I in a bad situation. What should I do. I had it rebuilt by Aamoco transmissions over four years ago and may have put only 15,000 miles on it. I know i had overheating problems and the oil was really dirty and I had finely ground material accumulated on the pan magnet which resembled ground magnet dust perhaps clutch material. Do I need another rebuild if so please recommend someone to order a rebuilt transmission. Need Help

01ram1500 · July 2010

also my trans has a whine in reverse and netural...any ideas?

timorr_06 · July 2010

i got this solution from ... Fixya.com
http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1928345-1999_dodge_ram_1500_4x4_upshift
they give answers to question.... they acually respond!!

Start with taking off the lower pan, the governor is the round solenoid on the passenger side of the valve body. It has a metal retainer around it with 3 bolts with 7/16 heads and two screws with torx heads. Remove the bolts and screws, remove the retainer and remove the governor solenoid. Remove the last 7/16 headed bolt in the governor plate and remove the governor plate. After you remove that you can then remove the 3- 4 shift solenoid and the TCC solenoid. Check the screens on all three solenoids. If they have metal shavings or clutch dirt on them you can either try cleaning them or replacing them. I'm not sure about the 3-4 shift and TCC solenoids(they are built together) but the governor solenoid is about 100 dollars. So it is worth (if you have the time) to try cleaning them and reinstalling them to see if they work. Tighten the 7/16 headed bolts to 120 inch pounds and the screws to 35 inch pounds. Install a new filter and clean out the pan. Refill the trans with ATF +4. If you have any more questions, just ask

i followed these instructions... but...
... i couldn't afford the parts so i went to the local wreakers.... they wouldn't sell the parts as they couldn't test to be sure they worked....so i went to a 1998 cherokee 4x4, mine is a dodge 1500 series 2x4 but the trans looked the same..., i removed the governor, governor plate, 3- 4 shift solenoid and the TCC solenoid and also the speed sensor. i have NEVER looked inside a transmission but due to the ecellant instuctions posted here... i did it... took my about 10 hours with the trip to the wreakers.... my truck shifts through all the gears... thanks... saved me a bundle

hollowleg52 · July 2010

Have an 03 dodge 2500 heavy duty and it started shifting erratically about 1 1/2 years ago (off warranty). Took it to a reliable tranny store and they said the tranny was good and thought it was the electronic module on the firewall about tghe size of your hand. Replaced that and worked fine til now and is doing the same thing again. Cost me $1500. al in last time so don't want to keep doing it. Won't shift into 3 from 2. Sometimes if I back off on the fuel pedal it will shift like a standard. It's erratic in that it may go a week or two without acting up. I read on here that a fellow let his truck get near empty and it acted up. When he put fuel in it ran good. Can this be??? I got low on fuel yesterday, my warning light was on. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Found a code; P 0700

timorr_06 · July 2010

first... i am NOT a tranny guy nor a mechanic.... just tryintg to save money....
if you think it is the trans computer... go to the wreakers.... match the numbers on yours to assure proper part number. bring your truck and change it in the lot... it's an easy change i looked at mine.
you also need to read my question and my self response. found at fixya.com. the instructions i found there were amazing.
read #1618 i think that is the one... follow it back
i tried putting gas in my truck but wasn't so lucky.

this is the best solution that i have found on the net..
... i couldn't afford the parts so i went to the local wreakers.... they wouldn't sell the parts as they couldn't test to be sure they worked....so i went to a 1998 cherokee 4x4, mine is a dodge 1500 series 2x4 but the trans looked the same..., i removed the governor, governor plate, 3- 4 shift solenoid and the TCC solenoid and also the speed sensor. i have NEVER looked inside a transmission but due to the excellant instuctions posted here... i did it... took my about 10 hours with the trip to the wreakers.... my truck shifts through all the gears... thanks... saved me a bundle
this came from fixya.com ,search 1999 dodge 1500 4x4 won't upshift... should find the original response and detailed instructions...
i hope this helps
also if you crawl under on the drives side of the trans pull the middle connection off... you should then have all gears but will have to shift manually....

markoreese1979 · July 2010

Ok, today My engine light came on. Scanned the computer and got fault code P0700, also says that there are 4 other codes Can anyone help me. Thanks

thomasv · July 2010

My dodge 1500 ram started hesitating to shift between gears unless i move shiftlever to neutral and then back into drive.before this short time ago incident it was fine.One question that I have is that during the cold weather this past winter the truck wanted to stall due to the rpm's not maintaining minimum idle.once it warmed up it was ok.Could this be the trottle sensor and could this be sending a false reading as to speed to the transmission sensor which does not tell it when to shift.I read somewhere about a transmission fuse.Can this be the problem?

thatazguy · July 2010

try getting dielectric grease and taking your connections apart starting under you steering wheel on the firewall block. Go all the way to the computer looking for green corrosion and cracked wire insulation. You can also spray the backs of the connections with PB Blaster (it will eat corrosion). Get the grease in there good. smooth off excess, re connect. Please let me know if it helps (post)

thomasv · July 2010

Thank you for your input.I will try this later

jskidmore · July 2010

A vacuum hose (or vent?) came off the vacuum shift motor assembly. It is a smooth, black hose with what looks like a white plastic connection. It is still attached at the vsm. Cannot find where it attaches in the engine compartment. I have a 2000 Ram 1500 pickup. My Hanes manual doesn't help.

whiplashweasel · July 2010

1999 dodge ram 1500 auto trans. What size torque head holds the at filter in place?

Dodge Ram Transmission Problems

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