1. It could be the column shifter being worn out. So probably the effort to take apart the column plastic for inspection at minimum.

2. It could be the linkage b/t the column shifter and transmission bracket having slipped to be slightly off. This you can visually check for obvious signs. First spot with hood open, on driver side, look behind the brake booster. 2nd spot is down on the ground also on driver side, look in towards the front of tranny to find the linkage. It attaches to a bracket and has a spring on it. Spring might be shot.

3. It could be the tranny detents becoming worn out. This would/could be checked by detaching the linkage from the tranny and moving by hand to check for loss of definitive detents. It's not that easy to detach the linkage, down right PITA depending on condition.

Those are some off the top ideas I have and hopefully others got ideas too.

 

I have a 1999 Ram 1500 5.9. I can go for a drive down the highway at about 75-80 shifts fine runs smooth. GI into a store and come back out and it will not shift from 1st gear. Get in the next day and its fine. Changed speed sensor already on transmission tail shaft.

 

Sounds to me like you need to replace Gov pressure solenoid and sensor. Might want to adjust the band while the pan is off. Also install one of these

 

put a jasper tranny in and presto all my problems went away love jasper always depend on them.

 

Hi, i have a 1997 Ram 4x4 with a 360 in it. it has around 275,000 on the tranny, and 80,000 with the new motor. its been sitting for a couple of years and we just decided to get itout so i could have it when i turn 16 in a couple weeks. we got it running, but there are a couple problems, problem number 1, the truck is very weak on the take off and seems to be in a very low gear. it will stall if you let your foot off the gas sometimes, it will also stall pulling a small trailer or go up hill. i plan on replacing the brake booster, but am wondering what else might be the problem. i replacd the whole exhaust system myself, and replaced the distributor as well. any help would be greatly appreciated. and also, how the hell do you post new threads on here? i just signed up and am syill getting the hang of this. thanks allot.
austin

 

There is a "new thread" button on the upper left. Click that to start a new thread.

Sitting for a couple years? Yeah, bad gas, varnished up, and all the other little problems that go with sitting for long periods of time.

First, Drain the fuel tank, and dump five gallons of premium in there, along with some fuel injector cleaner.

Did you replace the whole distributor? Or just the cap/rotor?

Make it run good first, then move on to the trans.

 

hi not sre how to start a new thread
I have a 1998 1500 and froma Dead stop if you stomp the gas WOT
it wont move ... if you start SLOW under 2000 RPM works great and if rolling can WOT
is this a known problem ? a $300 problem or a 3000 problem ?
Thanks John

 

Going WOT while you have an unresolved shifting problem will not have a good outcome. I wish I was skilled enough to help you otherwise but I knew that test wasn't a good one.

 

I have a 97 dodge ram have put 2 transmissions in it this week and they both would shift great for the first 15 miles and then they would drop out of gear and all they would have was reverse then later they would work like new and do the same exact thing i dont no what ot could be maybe someone else may have an idea?

 

That sounds like a problem I had once. Did you use the dipstick and tube from the new or old transmission? I had used the longer dipstick which gave me the impression I had enough fluid when I was 4 quarts low. I burned up a $500 transmission.
If that isn't the case could you give more information regarding the parts that you reused if any? Did you replace electronics inside the transmissions?