Hi All! Glad to be a part of the community here! Im having some issues with my truck and hope I can get some releif here.

I have a 96 ram 1500 4x4 and im having some tranny issues. it started slipping so i changed the fluid and filter and it seemed ok. but now whether i drive it around town or on the highway, the tranny heats up and the "trans temp" light comes on. if im on the highway it downshifts from o/d and the "trans temp" light comes on. i read in my book that this happens when the tranny gets too hot and will not shift back to o/d until it cools down. so, is my problem a tranny cooler problem? should i replace the tranny cooler? also, if i start out driving in "d" it takes off in 2nd and will slip. but if i shift manually from 1 to d then this doesnt happen. any suggestions? I appreciate all your help!

 

What kind of fluid did you use when you changed it? if it was anything other than ATF +4, I would start with dropping the pan and doing an entire nother filter / fluid change. These trannies do not like anything other than ATF+4.

 

I just had the same problem come to find out that it was the temp wiring harness sensor

 

Take a look at the cooler lines, right behind the radiator, where the lines run along the frame for a bit. The line that connects to the lower fitting on the radiator will probably have a short piece of rubber hose, with a quick connect on one end,(radiator side) and a flare nut into a fitting on the other end. The short little metal feller at the flare nut end is a check valve. Pull the piece of hose out, and get rid of the check valve. Either drill it out, or just replace that section of hose, with some trans line, and some hose clamps.

If your trans has overheated a couple times, and is now slipping, it might be rebuild time. Heat kills 'em right quick.

 

the tranny started slipping before the overheating problem. can the check valve be interfering with something?

 

They like to clog up, and then NOT flow any fluid, so, the fluid just cooks in the trans, gets seriously hot, and well, things fall apart. It would explain quite a few of your symptoms.

 

interesting...i will definitely check this out. thank you all for your help. i will update shortly..