99 5.2 4X4 185,000 miles. I dont think it's the original transmission or it has been rebuilt because the transmission and pan are painted gold. I bought it with 175,000 miles so previous history is unknown. It has a shutter between 1st and 2nd and a 400 to 500 rpm flare from 2nd to 3rd. I changed the fluid and filter (magnet was pretty clean). When I removed the old filter one of the valve body bolts fell out. It wasnt stripped or anything, just came loose I suppose. I check the bands and they had 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of play in them. The fluid and filter change seemed to fix the problem...or so I thought. About 300 miles after fluid change, the 1st to 2nd shutter is back, and it seems that 3rd gear is gone. Anything over 1/10 throttle will send it back into 2nd. Now for the weird part, when I tried the manual test (8 pin connector unhooked) with the trans in 1 or 2 it starts off in 2nd gear and the 3rd gear problem is still there. No CEL and the starting in 2nd gear only happens when you try to manual test the trans. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

first thing that i would do is check the TV cable, there is a PDF with instructions linked in the FAQ thread at the top of the page

2nd would be you need to adjust the bands whenever you open up the transmission, the directions for how to do that should be in the 98 FSM also available in the FAQ thread, they are adjusted by bolt torque, NOT by amount of play.

 

I adjusted the tv cable but still no difference. I bought a 44re rebuild manual and a drain plug kit, it should make dropping the pan easier. Would it be safe to assume it is a mechanical problem and not neccessarily an electrical problem?

 

When you drop it into 1st you have to drop it all the way down from park or reverse, do not stop in any gear just take it straight down!

I would replace the transmission output sensor first.

Also make sure you are only using ATF+4 in that transmission.

I sounds like your bands are adjusted correctly.

Could also be your TPS on the throttle body.

Also it also could be your Governor.


First make sure you are dropping it straight down right out of park or reverse fast like and see if it starts in 1st.

 

Well I put a new TPS and trans speed sensor on today. They were a no go. I hate to say it, but it looks like it will be going to transmission shop tomorrow. My pride is kinda hurt, cuz this is the first time I have had to take any of my vehicles in to the shop to be worked on besides alignments and tire mounting/balancing. I will keep everyone posted with what they find. Wish me luck!

 

Well got her back from the shop yesterday and she shifts great! The transmission needed a complete rebiuld. The trans was rebuilt less than 30k miles ago and the previous shop reused a worn out pump and trashed front drum. He also found one of the trans cooler lines was kinked in half at the radiator (no flow through the radiator at all). Add 33" tires to that and it was doomed for failure. Just goes to show you get what you pay for, cheap out on repairs and it will come back to bite you, or the next owner. Total cost out the door was $1820 with a 3yr/36k warranty.

 

I love it when people don't answer questions but ask for help. Glad to see I wasted my time.

But hey, thanks for at least taking the time to come back and post your fix. Yes the trans line and tire size, not to mention use of shops special "rebuilt" parts lead to the failure, you should thank them for taking the money and the screwing.

Over & Out

 

My trans has been shifting funny between 2nd and 3rd when under heavy throttle.
It's a soft shift, it doesn't have that positive feel of the other shift points.

The odometer shows about 193,000 and I don't know if it's ever been rebuilt.
Not bad for a 1999 model I guess!
It had 107,000 on it when I purchased and I know for a fact that the owner I bought it from did not rebuild the trans.
They only had it for a couple of years.

Now it's been about 40,000 miles since the fluid was changed and it has full syn in it now but this shift thing has me worried.
I'm not experienced with trans problems.

Any suggestions?

 

Radar<--------Band adjustment and TV adjustment. I would do the fluid and filter again since it has been 40k.

Hydra<-------Thanks for your time, people don't realize the time and dedication you and others such as shrps and Indy (sorry if your name isn't on this list just the 3 biggest ones to me) have dedicated to helping people on here and making the D section so amazingly helpful and easy to navigate. Also for putting up with people like me who joined and complete newbs to Dodge

Solute and out

 

Now you hurt my feelings. Just kidding................... It does take a lot of time and the three guys you have mention have been doing a great job on the forum.