Hello everybody. I am pleased to make my first post on here a plea for help...or not so much...

As per SOP i am having transmission problems with my 99 dodge ram 1500 (2wd 5.2l). The problems started a few weeks ago and rapidly progressed into a really bad situation. The transmission started out not wanting to switch gears at around 40mph and would rev and rev until the CEL started flashing. I let off the accelerator and after a few seconds the CEL would stop flashing and would go off.

I took it to have the codes read and the mechanic told me that it had 2 transmission codes. He did not give me the code numbers, just told me that one was the governor solenoid was experiencing lower than expected pressure and the torque converter was overtemp.

I did a transmission fluid and filter change to see if that would help. It did not, as a matter of fact things basically got worse. I was able to get it to shift into the upper gears after the change, but shortly after the service the transmission stopped wanting to use 1st or 2nd gear to get going. It will try starting out in 3rd, and even trying to manually shift will not remedy this. Additionally, it has no desire to go into reverse any longer. I can put it into reverse, but it does not have enough power in reverse to roll over a garden hose.

I have been told that this could be the governor solenoid and switch, and that I would remove the check valve from the transmission fluid return line from the radiator. I am not familiar enough with these transmissions to know if these issues could actually cause the troubles that I am experiencing or if I am looking at a more catastrophic failure and I need to just replace the tranny or have it rebuilt. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Calvin

 

Did you find anything interesting in your trans pan?

Something else to bear in mind, checking the fluid level in park, doesn't work. MUST be in neutral. Otherwise, you can an inaccurate reading. (and low fluid level would give you some of the symptoms you describe.)

If the fluid level looks ok, you could try replacing the governor pressure sensor, and solenoid. Cheaper than a rebuild, but, if it doesn't help, probably rebuild time....

I would also be tempted to verify that the tcc is actually locking up. Need to get the trans to shift first though.

There are a couple DIY articles in the FAQ section here, for both the check valve delete, and governor sensor/solenoid replacement. You can also grab the 01 service manual. Will be pretty close to your truck.

Welcome to DF!

 

Not really anything super interesting in the trans pan. The fluid was burnt though, and that is never a good thing...at all. The magnet had about 1/4" of sludge attached to it, but no chunks or even identifiable slivers of metal, just the metallic sludge.

Thanks for the advice on the oil level, it was low. It was about 1/4" below the hash marks for the "OK" zone once I put it into neutral to check it.

I will give it another test drive and report back on the results.

 

Ok, properly filling the transmission made it shift, but the CEL came on solid now. I went and had it pulled and got P1757. I am guessing that this would be indicating that I need to replace the governor solenoid and switch...

 

Did you get P1757 or P0757?

 

p1757

 

I'll go out on a limb here and say, replace the Gov solenoid and pressure switch/transducer.

 

I googled the code, zman17's right on track. Need to get some new parts and go from there.

 

Your transmission is not long for this world. The governor solenoid might get you going for a little bit, but to me, it sounds like rebuild time.