I have a 98 dodge ram 1500 4x4 318 single cab short bed with a automatic transmission. This is the problem, when im driving everything is smooth it shifts smooth but the transmission is not going into the last gear. Ill be going 70 and its sitting at 3000 RPMS not good! Im wondering if im going to have to get a new trans or if there is anything i can do that would be cheaper and work?

 

What's the outside temp?

 

Its in the 40s 50s where im at.

 

Check engine light coming on? O/D disabled light on?? Does the light work??

 

The check engine light isnt on. The O/D light isnt on, that light works cause i can turn it off and on.

 

That is just odd..... 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are hydraulically controlled by PCM adjusting pressure via the pressure solenoid, and sensor...... 4th gear, and O/D are electrically controlled via a couple solenoids. I would like to think that if the PCM commanded O/D, or TCC, and DIDN'T see an RPM drop, it would set a code, and turn on the CEL. Since you don't have the CEL...... I am wondering what is prompting the PCM to NOT want to hit fourth gear......

Can you plug a scanner into it, and see what the PCM thinks is going on? (their might also be pending codes, but, I would think 4th gear, and TCC solenoids would set a code just as soon as they failed to do their job.) Another parameter you should look at, if you can, is what the PCM thinks the trans temp is.

 

What you may want to do is check your pressure ports for the overdrive to see if the piston has pressure to apply the clutches. No pressure no O/D.
HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TEST
Hydraulic test pressures range from a low of one psi (6.895 kPa) governor pressure, to 300 psi (2068 kPa) at the rear servo pressure port in reverse.

An accurate tachometer and pressure test gauges are required. Test Gauge C-3292 has a 100 psi range and is used at the accumulator, governor, and front servo ports. Test Gauge C-3293-SP has a 300 psi range and is used at the rear servo and overdrive ports where pressures exceed 100 psi.

Pressure Test Port Locations
Test ports are located at both sides of the transmission case

Line pressure is checked at the accumulator port on the right side of the case. The front servo pressure port is at the right side of the case just behind the filler tube opening.

The rear servo and governor pressure ports are at the right rear of the transmission case. The overdrive clutch pressure port is at the left rear of the case.

Test One - Transmission In Manual Low
NOTE: This test checks pump output, pressure regulation, and condition of the rear clutch and servo circuit. Both test gauges are required for this test.

Connect tachometer to engine. Position tachometer so it can be observed from driver seat if helper will be operating engine. Raise vehicle on hoist that will allow rear wheels to rotate freely.
Connect 100 psi Gauge C-3292 to accumulator port. Then connect 300 psi Gauge C-3293-SP to rear servo port.
Disconnect throttle and gearshift cables from levers on transmission valve body manual shaft.
Have helper start and run engine at 1000 rpm.
Move transmission shift lever fully forward into 1 range.
Gradually move transmission throttle lever from full forward to full rearward position and note pressures on both gauges:
Line pressure at accumulator port should be 54-60 psi (372-414 kPa) with throttle lever forward and gradually increase to 90-96 psi (621-662 kPa) as throttle lever is moved rearward.
Rear servo pressure should be same as line pressure within 3 psi (20.68 kPa)
Test Two - Transmission In 2 Range
NOTE: This test checks pump output, line pressure and pressure regulation. Use 100 psi Test Gauge C-3292 for this test.

Leave vehicle in place on hoist and leave Test Gauge C-3292 connected to accumulator port.
Have helper start and run engine at 1000 rpm.
Move transmission shift lever one detent rearward from full forward position. This is 2 range.
Move transmission throttle lever from full forward to full rearward position and read pressure on gauge.
Line pressure should be 54-60 psi (372-414 kPa) with throttle lever forward and gradually increase to 90-96 psi (621-662 kPa) as lever is moved rearward.
Test Three - Transmission In D Range Third Gear
NOTE: This test checks pressure regulation and condition of the clutch circuits. Both test gauges are required for this test.

Turn OD switch off.
Leave vehicle on hoist and leave Gauge C-3292 in place at accumulator port.
Move Gauge C-3293-SP over to front servo port for this test.
Have helper start and run engine at 1600 rpm for this test.
Move transmission shift lever two detents rearward from full forward position. This is D range.
Read pressures on both gauges as transmission throttle lever is gradually moved from full forward to full rearward position:
Line pressure at accumulator in D range third gear, should be 54-60 psi (372-414 kPa) with throttle lever forward and increase as lever is moved rearward.
Front servo pressure in D range third gear, should be within 3 psi (21 kPa) of line pressure up to kickdown point.
Test Four - Transmission In Reverse
NOTE: This test checks pump output, pressure regulation and the front clutch and rear servo circuits. Use 300 psi Test Gauge C-3293-SP for this test.

Leave vehicle on hoist and leave gauge C3292 in place at accumulator port.
Move 300 psi Gauge C-3293-SP back to rear servo port.
Have helper start and run engine at 1600 rpm for test.
Move transmission shift lever four detents rearward from full forward position. This is Reverse range.
Move transmission throttle lever fully forward then fully rearward and note reading at Gauge C-3293-SP.
Pressure should be 145 - 175 psi (1000-1207 kPa) with throttle lever forward and increase to 230 - 280 psi (1586-1931 kPa) as lever is gradually moved rearward.
Test Five - Governor Pressure
NOTE: This test checks governor operation by measuring governor pressure response to changes in vehicle speed. It is usually not necessary to check governor operation unless shift speeds are incorrect or if the transmission will not downshift. The test should be performed on the road or on a hoist that will allow the rear wheels to rotate freely.

Move 100 psi Test Gauge C-3292 to governor pressure port.
Move transmission shift lever two detents rearward from full forward position. This is D range.
Have helper start and run engine at curb idle speed. Then firmly apply service brakes so wheels will not rotate.
Note governor pressure:
Governor pressure should be no more than 20.6 kPa (3 psi) at curb idle speed and wheels not rotating.
If pressure exceeds 20.6 kPa (3 psi), a fault exists in governor pressure control system.
Release brakes, slowly increase engine speed, and observe speedometer and pressure test gauge (do not exceed 30 mph on speedometer) Governor pressure should increase in proportion to vehicle speed. Or approximately 6.89 kPa (1 psi) for every 1 mph.
Governor pressure rise should be smooth and drop back to no more than 20.6 kPa (3 psi), after engine returns to curb idle and brakes are applied to prevent wheels from rotating.
Compare results of pressure test with analysis chart.
Test Six - Transmission In Overdrive Fourth Gear
NOTE: This test checks line pressure at the overdrive clutch in fourth gear range. Use 300 psi Test Gauge C-3292 for this test. The test should be performed on the road or on a chassis dyno.

Remove tachometer; it is not needed for this test.
Move 300 psi Gauge to overdrive clutch pressure test port. Then remove other gauge and reinstall test port plug.
Lower vehicle.
Turn OD switch on.
Secure test gauge so it can be viewed from drivers seat.
Start engine and shift into D range.
Increase vehicle speed gradually until 3-4 shift occurs and note gauge pressure.
Pressure should be 469-496 kPa (68-72 psi) with closed throttle and increase to 620-827 kPa (90-120 psi) at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle. Note that pressure can increase to around 896 kPa (130 psi) at full throttle.
Return to shop or move vehicle off chassis dyno.
PRESSURE TEST ANALYSIS CHART
TEST CONDITION INDICATION
Line pressure OK during any one test Pump and regulator valve OK
Line pressure OK in R but low in D, 2, 1 Leakage in rear clutch area (seal rings, clutch seals)
Pressure low in D Fourth Gear Range Overdrive clutch piston seal, or check ball problem
Pressure OK in 1, 2 but low in D3 and R Leakage in front clutch area
Pressure OK in 2 but low in R and 1 Leakage in rear servo
Front servo pressure low in 2 Leakage in servo; broken servo ring or cracked servo piston
Pressure low in all positions Clogged filter, stuck regulator valve, worn or faulty pump, low oil level
Governor pressure too high at idle speed Governor pressure solenoid valve system fault. Refer to diagnostic book.
Governor pressure low at all mph figures Faulty governor pressure solenoid, transmission control module, or governor pressure sensor
Lubrication pressure low at all throttle positions Clogged fluid cooler or lines, seal rings leaking, worn pump bushings, pump, clutch retainer, or clogged filter.
Line pressure high Output shaft plugged, sticky regulator valve
Line pressure low Sticky regulator valve, clogged filter, worn pump

 

Well i took my truck to a guy that has 37 years of experice on transmissions. He hooked it up to his computer and we drove it around, we didnt get any codes. While driving it he noticed that it was going into 4th and overdrive was kicking in but it wasnt dropping the rpms like it should. He saw a flare coming out of 3rd(were the rpms jump up alittle and then shifts into 4th). He said he is pretty sure that its to do with the main clutch in the trans thats why it flares going into 4th and doesnt drop the rpms because the clutch isnt workin right.

 

Probably the snap ring that holds the clutches and such in place in the O/D unit broke.