Hey Guys,

I've tryed some research on here about this problem and I've had some luck, but I'm really looking for a specific answer for this...

Why does it seem like my truck has more then 4 speeds? Its an auto. 1995 Ram 1500 318 2WD. Oh and 3.55 Rear End. When on the highway, it shifts out of over drive and jumps to about 2200 RPMs for a few seconds, and then jumps up to 3,000 RPMs. Once it gets up to speed, it goes back down to around 2200 RPM, and then back to the overdrive engine speed of about 1800 or so. I know that the 2200 isnt 3rd gear, because when I put the shift lever to "2" the RPMs are way higher then 3000. So it seems like there is "Two gears" in third gear.

Can anyone explain that to me?

Secondly,
My truck seems like its got no power; not because of the engine, but because of the transmission. On these snowy roads I cant even get the tires to slip going 20-25 mph. I can punch the throttle and it just whinds right out and the transmission seems like it slips or something. Its weird, kinda hard to explain. But as soon as the transmission locks up, like when I manually put it in 2nd going fast enough, and then punch it, the tires will spin. Just seems like it should do that. Like I said, I'm not explaining the best but maybe you all know what I'm talking about.

Do the bands need to be adjusted or something? Its got 66,000 miles total on the whole truck.

Thanks everyone

 

Ever changed your tranny fluid and filter?

 

First ck the fluid level. Is the fluid dark brown, it maybe time for service if it is. Replace the filter and adjust both bands if needed. Add new fluid and road test. If it has been a long time between service's, just hope the seals are okay. If the trans shifts fine from 1st to 2nd and upshifts to 3rd around 50mph the the seals are bad and you would need to remove the transmission and install a complete seal kit. The transmission has 4 forward gears, but the torque converter can go into lock up in 2nd,3rd and 4th gears.

 

Well, I had the transmission fluid flushed at 40,000, so they must have changed the filter too, right?

Oh and I guess what I've been trying to say is that the power of the truck just isnt getting to the rear wheels. Probably you all got that though lol

When should the rear end fluid be changed?

 

A flush is not the same has replacing the filter and adjust the bands.

 

u dont really change the fuilid in the rearend, just add 90weight when it's low.

As far as your filter being changed most likely not. it takes 10 - 15 minutes to change fluid and filter. i would consider doing it again, i usually change the filter every 3 - 5000 miles to keep the trans oil flowing free of metal shavings.

 

How do I know if the seals are bad? Sorry, I'm trying to comprehend everything you said there. The truck seems to shift fine through the gears when upshifting. Like I said, the transmission fluid was changed 26,000 miles ago, and I'm assuming the filter was too. Could be time for a change. I dont know how to tell if the bands should be adjusted, so should I just try that?

Ok I just re read again what you said. It does not upshift to 3rd at 50. I can have the truck in 4th gear at 40 mph on a flat road. So that mean that the seals are ok?

 

Then the seal should be okay. Bands should be ck at all times when the pan has been removed.

 

Ok so what I should do then is for starters change the transmission fluid AND filter. Next, since the pan is off, adjust both the front and rear bands. I saw a post on here how to do that, and maybe its in my Haynes Repair Manual? Then maybe I will get some power at the rear wheels? Yup, I cant even get my tires to chirp on dry payment no matter how hard i try.

So no one ever really told me what was going on about the "Two gears" in third gear. My buddy had a dodge and he said his did the same thing.

 

when o/d is on the gears extend a little bit....well they will be at different shifting points. At least thats how i figured out mine.


also search for "Plenum Gasket" this may be part of your loss of power.