2 weeks ago I bought a 2001 Dodge RAM 4x4 SLT 5.9 from a local dealer. It had 104k miles. I test drove the truck it seemed to run great and appeared in very good condition. Last weekend I took a 150mile round trip drive. When I was almost home the O/D off lite came on, shortly followed by the trans temp lite.

After researching on this site, I bypassed the trans coolant line check valve. It was definitely clogged. Could not blow air through it. Drove the truck tonight about 50 miles, lights no longer come on, but now trans slips like crazy in all gears, will barely get going from a dead stop, lurches in 1st to 2nd.

I assume I need to rebuild the trans. When I got home I checked fluid and it registered above max on dipstick.

Fluid on stick appears nice and red, doesn't smell burnt.

Any suggestions, does my conclusion seem right, is a rebuild in order?

 

I had the same thing happen at 105K on the button in my 1996.

It is the torque converter. it is not locking up. YOu need a new torque converter and solenoid.

Is there any type of warranty form the dealership you went to? Check your lemon laws.

Also, how much did you pay (if you don't mind)

 

No warranty as is. I paid 7K.

 

yikes. that is a bit steep. I paid 10K for my 2001 with 42K miles on it and a warranty good until March 2011 (50 dollar transfer fee). For that many miles, you should have only paid about 4500.

Since you paid that much for it. I would bring it back ASAP. There should be something about a lemon law. 2 weeks is BS.

Was this a read dealership, or one of those shady ones?

 

sucks man welcome to the forum !

make a sig and post some pics !

 

ive heard that bypassing the check valve can "overflow" i guess what its called, and cause minimal pressure thus causing the slipping...try putting a new check valve in, and see if it fixes it

 

Ouch 7k is alot. I paid 4800 for my 99 and that included the supply and installation of brand new exh. manifolds. I'm currently doing all new brake lines, and freeze plugs, so my deal wasnt fantastic, but still fairly cheap. Mine is a 4 door as well. with $1000 in brand new tires.

 

Tranny fluid should not read above max on the dipstick. That's just as bad as having too little fluid. Drain some fluid out until it is in the "safe" zone. Make sure you're reading the fluid level the correct way...fully warmed up, on level ground, in nuetral.

*EDIT* I missed the part about the trans temp light. Yeah, it's most likely shot, but you might get lucky. Take it to a dealer and have them test it out. Nobody knows a Dodge transmission like a Dodge dealership.

 

Make sure you are checking the fluid in NEUTRAL, not in park...... The T/C doesn't get fluid in park, and when it drains back, will give an inaccurate reading of fluid level.

 

^ to add to that don't park on a hill either must be level.