Howdy everyone. First off while I'm not mechanically inclined I can do a few minor things so not a complete space cadet just slightly spacey.

I have a 96 Dodge Ram Laramie 4x4 V-8 with an automatic transmission.

I've had it for 6 years now and it's served me well but I've noticed especially lately that it's slowin down. It only has 220,000 miles on it.

One of the big things I have noticed is that it's a cold blooded beast when first started. It's starts ok; although, there are a few times where it clicks instead of starts then after a few times of just clicking it will start which I have checked the battery connections but they are decently clean. Once started until it's thoroughly warmed up it doesn't want to move. I have to rev it up fairly high before it will start to move. Once moving it goes pretty well and once warmed up there are no problems anymore.

The current thought is the filter is clogged and until the fluid warms up and thins out it can't go through the filter as easily. The next thought is the tranny needs replaced. What are your thoughts on that?

The next problem is the backup lights. They worked for a long time but eventually the fuse started blowing. At first we thought it was the wiring job someone had done when they wired a 7way plug into the bed especially since we would get it to work by replacing the fuse then plug in my little cargo trailer *4-way*, turn the lights on and poof there go the backups again.

My uncle and brother rewired it this summer so the new 7way plug is under the bumper and everything works great there. However, the backup lights worked the first time we backed up after that then out they went. The bulbs have been checked and they are fine. The fuse is fine. The wiring is good that we can tell. What could it be?

It's going in soon to be repaired. There's quite a bit wrong at this point. It's getting tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, steering shock, front main seal, maybe rear main seal or oil pan seal, new tranny hose, tranny oil service, tune up, brakes front/rear, and brake lines. Oh and while they are doing that they are going to repair the 4x4 linkage bolt that we found out was missing thankfully I don't use the 4x4 unless I truly need it which is rare. They will also be replacing the u joint by the tires while they have the tires off.

Then all I have to do is fix the leaky door seals, replace the carpets, replace the windshield, replace the drivers seat, replace the rear window slider lock, and get it painted.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

Well I guess we can start at the beginning with the hard starting. How old is your battery? How old is the alternator? Does it get really cold where you live at? If your battery is old it will have a hard time holding a charge. Extreme cold weather can also suck the life out of a battery. Check all connections on the alternator and battery. Are they clean and on tight? Before dropping the money on a new tranny, try a few things first. 1: Have you checked the fluid level in it. You do this by letting the truck be at running temperature then put your foot on the brake and put it into every gear for a few seconds. You can shut it off but dont let it cool down and check the tranny dipstick. 2: If it needs fluid you will need a funnel and you pour it directly down the dipstick tube. 3: If you want to check the filter you will need to drop the pan. There is no way to drain the fluid before so be carefull after you loosen up some of the pan bolts or you will have a tranny fluid bath. Also have the bands in the tranny ever been adjusted? You may consider having that done also. As far as the lights you can go to an auto parts store and ask them to check for a ground. I hope this gets you started and good luck with your project. Post up pictures along the way and keep us all updated.

 

On the transmission issue, it could be low on fluid, just remember to check the level in neutral, it will not check correctly in park position...

brian

 

1. To check tranny fluid: park on a level surface, let engine reach operating temp, put in neutral, depress parking brake. Engine should be RUNNING while you check it. If fluid is low (it probably is if it hasnt been touched in 6 years) add atf+4 and ONLY atf+4 through dipstick tube.

2. On hard starting: battery age and cold weather can adversely affect the batteries ability to hold a charge. I suggest a load test, this can usually be done for free with the battery in the vehicle at most auto parts stores. If the batt is good, check the wiring to the starter and alternator. A loose connection might be to blame. If still no luck, alternator is probably about to go south. this can be checked at an auto parts store also, but requires removal.

 

Forgot to mention: if your tranny filter is to blame, its not hard to change yourself. Get a new filter, drop pan, remove old filter, install new, clean off magnet in pan, install new pan gasket (new filter usually comes with one), reinstall pan, fill with atf+4.

Easiest way to remove the pan, and not get covered in atf+4, which stinks like a$$, is to remove bolts from one side of the pan and slowly loosen the others so that the boltless side drops at an angle and the fluid spills out into a catch bowl.

Just fyi: you may wanna go ahead and start saving for a tranny rebuild. I love my truck as much as the next guy in here, but the trannies are ****. Once it starts to go bad, its a slippery slope that usually ends in a lot of four letter words

 

Thank you everyone. I live in Western WA so cold but not usually that cold. This year is rather nasty but it's been in the barn most of the time. I use it to haul and hold the sawdust for the horses. I usually let it sit 1 day while I fill the trailer then move it out the second so I can get the tractor/trailer out to dump then put the truck back in the barn.

The battery is only a few months old. The old one gave out and the wires were cleaned when it was replaced. I will check the rest of the wires. I'm hoping it's not the alternator. I was wondering about the starter? Could that going out cause the clicking? It seems that if it's used everyday it starts fine; however, if left for a day or 2 then it does the clicking. Once started it runs fine.

I will check the tranny fluid tomorrow. I know the guys said they think there may be a leaky hose also. They said it was something they were going to replace when they did the rear main/oil pan seal so probably is low. Thanks for the heads up about the fluid. I think I will let the boys do that while they are under there changing the hose/gasket.

What is adjusting the bands? I know there are bands only because I've overheard my brother talking about them. Time for some googling.

From what I understand the tranny in it is a rebuilt. The original owners I guess replaced it then traded the truck. No the boys do most of the work to my vehicles and they kept saying they didn't have time next week and I let it go thinking it wasn't very important. I've never had a service done before and had recently heard about having it done. Live and learn. I know now it should have been done long ago but I'm still not enough of a grease monkey to get under there and try that. I guess that's something I'd better learn so I know it gets done and if I can get greasy changing the oil I can do that too.

 

Cant rule out the starter, but in my experience, a starter either works or it doesnt. An auto parts store should be able to check it for you,but it, like the alt. requires removal to do so. Come to think of it, when a starter bites it, it does make a high pitched, high tempo clickclickclick kind of noise. Just so you know usually (and im being serious here) banging it up and down the case with a hammer will force it to turn over <-- thats a good way to get it started if it ever strands you somewhere (had to do it a few times myself). Be careful when you check the wiring, make sure the ground to the batt is disconnected. The big red positive wire that comes off the batt will run directly to one of the posts on the starter.

Without going too indepth on the inner workings of an auto tranny, the bands are what hold the truck in gear by locking different planetary gearsets inside. if they are out of adjustment, you will notice slipping/hard shifting, not wanting to up/downshift... the list goes on. it is possible to adjust them yourself, but i wouldnt recommend it if you dont know what you're doing. Take it to a trusted tranny shop and ask them to do it for you shouldnt be too expensive (it isnt down here anyway).

Good Luck
Mad_Sci

 

it sounds like your truck is suffering from morning sickness...A term used for a very sluggish apply when vehicle is cranked up cold and when placed in gear, it sems to engage, but accleration is extremely poor....You can tell if that is the correct diagnosis if the vehicle is started in neutral when cold and sluggishness problem is gone....

Brian

 

I have to correct myself. I am misleading you on accident. It's one click each time I try to start it. Not a series of clicks. Sorry, I should have said that.

When I take it to the barn to check the transmission fluid I will check for hard shifting. I haven't noticed anything but then again I wasn't paying attention before.

So put it in neutral, start it, then put it in the desired gear? I will try that when I take it to the barn to check the fluid. If that is it how is that repaired?

 

Should have a whole new truck when your done. Agreed on check the fluid, but if its got 220k then its probably time for a tranny rebuild. I am on my second one right now at 155K. I love my truck, but Dodge CANNOT build a tranny especially an auto one. I have been seriously considering installing a manual. When mine went out, both times I just completly lost reverse. I was told that the Dodge's do not have any bands to adjust, when they are done they are done. I just can't justify the manual because I have been trying to trade off my gasser for a cummins for a long time. My first tranny was about $2600 installed. 3year 50k warranty, so this works good because my second one better be on the house since it has less then 20k on it.

Mine was starting like that and I stuck in a new starter and has been great ever since.

On your wire, get a current tester and hook one wire to the ground and touch the other to each side of the fuse pins one at a time, while it is in reverse and see if it beeps or lights up. If so, you have a short in the wiring somewhere.

I know when its cold it won't even allow you to shift overdrive, but not moving at all sound like something isn't right. I have had my truck "freeze-up", when I go to move it wont wan't to, so I put it in 4 low and you will here a sound like snow breaking lose and you lurch forward without anymore issues.