Greetings,

I am new to the forum and I just recently bought my first Dodge. It is a 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 4x2 with a 5.2L V8 and automatic transmission.

When I am driving it the truck will not shift from first to second gear without me letting off the accelerator for a second or two. The RPMS will go way higher then they are suppose to if i keep my foot on the accelerator. It only does this when shifting from 1st into 2nd. all the other gears are fine. The truck also downshifts fine as well.

I did as was recommended and tried searching the forum but didn't find anyone with the same problem.

hopefully you guys can help me because after reading about 100 posts or so tonight I sure learned a lot about 2nd gen dodge ram trucks..

I got another question but I will ask it in a seperate topic cuz it doesn't deal with the transmission. Basically I bought this truck cheap and I am already learning that it is going to be keeping me busy.

 

I dunno if this could be a sensor or something wrong with the transmission. Has anyone ever had this problem before? Or if not does anyone know how to trouble shoot or correct this?

I thought about draining and filling the transmission but the truck got 155,000 miles on it and I highly doubt that the fluid was changed by the last owner.

The last time I did this with a higher mileage vehicle the transmission acted worse then before probably cuz it got use to running on the worn out fluid.

 

it could possibly just be the tranny filter

 

i would start by checking the fluid level. Then drop the pan, look to see what you find, change the filter and fluid.

 

Flushing is a good idea. I have a 2000 and for some stupid reason when I bought my truck 3 years ago the tranny had ATF+3 in it. I was getting low on fluid and I had no idea it was +3 and filled with +4 which is the only stuff that is sold now. Needless to say it doesn't mix well at all. It'll act a lot like what you just said.Idles weird too. The fluids were so wacky I just took it to a dealer and had the complete flush were they don't just drain they actually suck the stuff out. I only took it in cause it was mixed I would of just drained it myself otherwise. It could be a sensor but considering it's just 1st to 2nd I don't think it is. Best of luck.

 

I spoke with the guy I bought the truck off of. He says he thinks it is the vacuum modulator but he said his neighbor told him it doesn't have a vacuum modulator and that the vehicle is too new.

His neighbor thinks it has a bad shift sensor or possibly sticky shift linkage from carb.

Does any of that make sense to anyone cuz it's almost like they are speaking greek to me.

I am going to change the fluid and gasket (against my better judgement) but if that doesn't work What should I try next?

I may end up just taking it to a transmission shop who will probably charge an arm leg and left nutand will probably say i need a new transmission.

grrrr... i extremely hate automatics with a passion.

 

You should go ahead and get a flush. Costs less than 100 dollars at one of the oil change places but they do not do the band adjustment.I would highly recommend taking it to the dealer so they can do the complete service. I had it done there and the price was not that bad. Before you getthere take out the speed sensor, located on the drivers side transmission tail, and wipe it down. There will more than likely be a ton of crap on it. It will not hurt anything the sensor is just a big magnet. You will lose fluid so be prepared to stuff the hole with a shop towel. ***Disclaimer*** Make certain you reinstall the sensor before driving.

There is no modulator the trans does not shift off vacuum. There is also a thread about adjusting your shift points at the cable in the engine bay.