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Dodge: Trans shifting problem, dodge ram 1500, pressure maps


Question
QUESTION: 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 - suddenly had a problem where after driving between 45 - 55mph it would appear to go into neutral or remain in 2nd gear.  Linkage, fluid all looks good.  What else should I look for?

ANSWER: HELLO CHET,WOW ,THERES ALLOT THAT CAN GIVE YOU THESE SYMPTOMS. FIRST THING IS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE CHECKING THE FLUID ON LEVEL GROUND,ENGINE TEMP,AND WHILE IN NEUTRAL? THIS TRANS PUMPS NO FLUID IN PARK SO LEVELS MUST BE CHECKED IN NEUTRAL. IF THE LEVEL IS CORRECT,EXAMINE IT FOR FOREIGN MATERIAL BY WIPING THE DIPSTICK WITH A WHITE PAPER TOWLE.WHEN YOU SAY IT GOES TO NEUTRAL DOES IT JUST STOP MOVING? WHEN THIS HAPPENS DO YOU HAVE ANY REVERSE? ARE THERE ANY ENGINE LIGHTS ON? WHEN IT DOES THIS IF YOU STEP DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL WILL IT STILL PULL THE VEHICLE UNDER ITS OWN POWER? HOW MANY MILES ON IT? IF YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE INFO I WILL TELL YOU WHERE YOUR PROBLEM IS.I KNOW THIS TRANS LIKE THE BACK OF MY HAND AS WELL AS THE TRUCK.TALK TO YA SOON,TIM,

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks - didn't know about checking fluid in Neutral.  I do get reverse, no warning lights, got 140k miles, fluid is full and clean but didn't check in neutral.  It would jump in and out of gear and mostly slip into 2nd.  It would always still move, but jumps out of gear then rests on 2nd.  Could it be the output speed sensor?

ANSWER: HEY CHET,THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR CONTROLS THE GOVERNOR PRESSURE MAPS AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT SHIFT UP AND DOWN. NORMALLY WHEN IT GOES BAD IT WONT SHIFT AT ALL BECAUSE THE COMPUTER CANT RAMP THE PRESSURE UP WITHOUT A SHAFT SIGNAL. THAT DOES NOT MEAN ITS NOT BAD THOUGH. A SLIP INTO SECOND MEANS YOU HAVE A WORN INTERMEDIATE BAND(SECOND). THE ADJUSTMENT IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE THE LINKAGE. LOOSEN THE 3/4 NUT AND TIGHTEN UP THE STUD WITH A T40 TORX BIT,THEN BACK OUT TWO TURNS AND RE TIGHTEN THE NUT.SEE WHAT THAT DOES.THIS TRANS HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DIRECT DRUM SEAL SHRINKING AND IT WONT MAKE UP ITS MIND BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD.MAYBE THAT'S WHAT ITS DOING? THE OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR WILL NOT TURN ON THE ENGINE LIGHT IF BAD.HAVE IT SCANNED AND TELL THEM TO GO TO THE DATA STREAM AND MONITOR IT WHILE MOVING.LET ME KNOW CHET,TIM.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've adjusted this trans myself a few years ago.  Id have to take the pan off to adjust it.  BUT, on a lighter note, I finally got a hold of my friend who owns a trans shop.  He said that if I checked the fluid again, with it in neutral, it will probably be 2 quarts low.  He thought more of that than any of the other options.

I'll have to check it when I get home.  
Thanks for all your help!

Answer
HEY CHET,I HOPE ITS JUST LOW FLUID.YOU DON'T NEED TO REMOVE THE PAN TO ADJUST THE BAND.THE SECOND BAND ALWAYS HAS A EXTERNAL ADJUSTMENT.THE LOW AND REVERSE BAND ADJUSTMENT IS UNDER THE PAN. THAT'S NOT THE ONE YOU NEED TO SUSPECT. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW TO CHECK IN NEUTRAL AND THEREFORE THE FLUID COULD BE LOW AS I STATED EARLIER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE?THANKS,TIM.