I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 5.2L V-8 gas w/ Ext. Cab and 3-speed auto transmission. When I bought it in 2001 it had 22,474 miles on it and now it has only 42,155. I use the truck only about once a week.

Problem 1: Recently I’ve been having trouble with the transmission. One morning I went to use it and the only gears it responded to was low and reverse. I can shift it into low and it will stay in that gear while driving, but if I put the gear shift into 2nd or drive it goes into neutral in the transmission. I can start with the car in either 2nd or drive and it responds properly by staying in low gear until I release my foot from the accelerator and that’s when the transmission shifts into neutral. Weird, huh? One place told me I needed another transmission. Another person said I possibly needed to drain the transmission fluid and replace the filter. Another said it could possibly be a computer module that was preventing it from shifting to 2nd or drive.

Problem 2: My “ABS” and “BRAKE” lights stay on all the time on my dash. Also the odometer will not register until I reach about 33 mph. This happened all at once. This has been going on for about 2 years, but I’ve been ignoring it. I’ve been told this is due to some kind of defected module that needed replacing.
So, what do you guys think? If something had happened to my old autos (’55 & ’57 Chevvy) I could have fixed it, but not these new vehicles with computer modules and other electronics. Any help would be tremendously helpful. Thanks.

Francis in Mobile, AL
fmsmit@bellsouth.net

 

a 3 speed? If it IS a 3 speed then its NOT computer controlled.

Change out the VSS in your rear end, that should make the lights go away.