I hate to say/do it, but the Ram has got to go...
Between my wife and I, we spend $1000 a month in gas.
We are going to get her an econo-car and I will take over her 2005 Xterra.
Its more logical in our current situation to do this.
Believe me, I dont want to sell the Dodge, but have too.

Onto the problem, the Ram must know Im about to sell and its self destructing.
The trans is acting up between 1st and 2nd. I adjusted the tv cable and it is better, but still making noise, and still stuttering when leaving the light from a stop, and still erratic between 1st/2nd thus late into 3rd.

I posted it for sale a week ago, the symptoms started yesterday. I dont have the lack of a moral compass, and I will not sell the truck to someone without disclosing the trans symptoms.
Now. Do I rebuild it? Do I install a reman? Do I sell as is and take a big loss? Do I take it to a shop and hope its just a $500 fix?
What is my best outcome? What would you do?

Thanks.

 

Have the bands adjusted and replace the Governor Solenoid and Governor pressure switch(transducer). Try that first.

 

I would recommend taking it to a shop and having them diagnose it so that you know where you really stand.
I would imagine that the trans is going to need to be rebuilt, which I would recommend not doing. You can usually find some people who are willing to do that work themselves and will still pay pretty good money if the rest of the truck is to their liking.

 

That's the problem right there. Most if not all shops are just going to say rebuild, unless you get lucky and find one that will help you out. Even if you find one that will take it for a ride with a scanner hooked up, will still say you need a rebuild. You have some research to do to find a good shop.

 

I would sell the Xterra, buy 2 econo cars, and keep the Dodge . Try what zman said but if it comes down to needing a rebuild you are going to take a huge hit selling it as is or drop $1500 plus to repair it. I wouldn't want to put that kind of $ into something that I was getting rid of. Maybe check around the junkyards, craigslist, etc.

 

Unfortunately, there is no reputable shop around here, there is a place I found that will do the diagnostics for free, however, I would assume they will 'diagnose' a rebuild.
Ill take it to them and let them at least do the test.
I just adjusted the bands about a month ago and all has been great until now.
I may attempt the gov pressure solenoid and switch on my own.
Basically what it comes down to is that Im screwed.
The truck runs great (plenum fixed, sct tuned). The engine is tip top.

 

Where are you guys buying the governor solenoid and governor pressure switch?

 

I get my parts here http://www.transmissioncenter.net/dodge.htm

But this is also a good place. https://www.wittrans.com/Default.aspx?

 

hmm.
you have an 01 off-road, which is as good as it gets, and is the model with the highest resale value, so that's a plus.

selling with a bad trans is going to be a 1500-2000 deduction right off the top.

i'd visit the local shop and let them know right up front that your selling the truck, don't want to spend a boatload of money, and need the minimum repair to sell it with a clear conscience. see what they think. there's a lot of parts in the valve body, maybe you'll get lucky with a $300-500 fix. that's probably a best case and that's what i try as plan A.