We have a 2000 ram 1500 sport 4x4. 5.2 auto trans., with just over 200k on it. I thought i noticed a few times that it seemed slow to go into reverse after it had sat all night. Today I started it and when I put it into rev. I gave it some gas and it reved like it was in neutral. After a few seconds it engaged and went. I can't say Iv'e noticed this in drive at all, but I usually back out when I leave the house. The guy whom I bought the truck from rebuilt the tranny maybee 2 years ago at the most. The truck only does this after its sat overnight. All shifts are good/firm and if you drive it somewhere and get back in it later it goes into gear fine. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks!

 

sounds like 'torque convertor drainback' where enough of the fluid drains out to make it slip. mine did that one morning and i thought it had bitten the big one. then never did it again (yet), although when i rechecked the fluid it was about a quart low.

recheck you fluid level - truck hot, in neutral NOT PARK, as pump doesn't pump into tc in park. then in the mornings pull it into neutral for a minute before you take off and see if that helps.

 

There is a check valve in the cooler line that may be faulty/missing. It prevents above mentioned drain back.
WC