Cant find anything on this, so hear goes. Im detailing all of this so ya'll can tell me if this is my error or not. I just got a 2000 1500 5.9l Ram 4x4. Had some issues sticking in second gear when Driving, No codes. also wouldnt go into first when you come to a stop. I searched around and decided to replace some solenoids in the tranny. I pulled it in, and dropped the pan. Nothing unusual, minor metal sludge, changed the filter, and I had ordered a solenoid but it didnt fit. So I put the pan back, and filled it back up. The sucker went STRAIGHT into Limp mode. I drove it about 5 miles this way, got the right parts, and dropped the pan again. Nothing in the pan but clean fluid. No burnt smell, nothing. I replaced the Lockup/OD solenoid, and refurbished the Governor Solenoid. I did NOT touch the Governor Pressure Solenoid. Put it back together, (I did start to remove the Valve Body, to get to the Harness, but I found out that the solenoids can be unplugged from the old harness so I just unplugged them and switched the solenoids that way.) Filled it with fluid, However.. I am not leaking, but I dont seem to be able to get the level over "OK" Mark on the dipstick??? I put in 10 quarts, checking after each one, and figured its letting air out and working its way in. It now is on the high end of the ok mark on the dipstick. Now, when I test drove it, it shifted like a DREAM. Perfect first, second, third, overdrive.. and when I stop, right back into first. However, when I pulled on to the gravel at home, and started to climb from first to second, it hit second, then third, then second, then third... Like a slip? I gave it gas, it went into second, and climbed the hill without problem. I done this again, and when it started this, I manually shifted into second and no problems.. Any idea what this is? Band adjustment? Like I said, if I pull onto a highway and drive from stop to 60, everything shifts perfect. All the gears at the right time. I am clueless here..... Thanks!

 

Check TPS first. Probably should have at least pulled the governor pressure solenoid, and inspected it. They like to clog up with sludge, and then do weird and strange things.

Were you checking fluid level in neutral? That's the only way to get an accurate reading on the stock trans.

 

What is the TPS? This is all new to me. Yes, as soon as I had enough in the transmission I started the truck and put it in neutral to check it.. If it is related to the pressure solenoid, I can pressure test it and find out, right? Thanks!

 

Throttle position sensor. If the readings are faulty, it will cause the pcm to 'gear hunt', thinking you are either giving it more gas than you really are, or doing odd things to the gas pedal. All it is is a variable resistor. They do wear out, and when they do, strange things can happen.

TPS gets a 5 volt reference signal from the PCM. It modifies that voltage via the variable resistor, according to throttle position. Harder you step on the go pedal, higher the signal voltage is going to be. Should be less than 1 volt at closed throttle, and progress SMOOTHLY to greater than 3.5 volts at Wide Open Throttle. (using an analog meter to test these is best. Digital meters just don't work very well for this purpose.) If the signal is out of range at either end, or, bounces around as you press the gas pedal, replace the TPS. Disconnect the battery while you are swapping parts, as when you reconnect the battery, and fire up the truck, the PCM will then re-learn TPS voltages.

 

That sounds like exactly what is going on. Where and how do I test this, or should I take it to a shop. I have an analog meter, just no idea where this is tested at.

 

Searched it, and found the DIY for testing.. I will look it up and test it tomorrow.. Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it. I love this truck, just want it to run right, and keep it that way

 

Just an Update.. I ended up replacing all the transmission Solenoids.. (Governor Pressure, Pressure Sensor, Lockup, OD) AND the TPS... I drove it with all the solenoids replaced, before the TPS was replaced.. Shifting was great, but the truck was still surging.. I though this was going from second to first gear over and over, I was wrong.. Its just surging in RPMs... Anyway, replaced the TPS, surging is VERY MINIMAL, But still there, no where NEAR as bad, however.. When, and ONLY when it is in park or neutral, My RPM's are sky high! Its idle in park and N (cold) is around 1,500-2,000 and when warm around 1,000.. Any other gear is absolutely normal. I am going to reset my PCM.. I reset it after the solenoids, but didnt get the chance after I replaced the TPS.. will let you know.

 

A couple more things you may want to check. You can download a service manual in the FAQ/DIY section to help with these.

Before removing ANY sensor, disconnect negative battery terminal. Remove and clean the IAC form the throttle body. Also check the TV cable for proper adjustment on the throttle body. Reconnect the negative cable. This will reset PCM. It will take a little bit for it to relearn sensors.

Let us know what you find out.

 

I was reading somewhere earlier today about someone having to clean out their IAC.. Right at the moment I am trying to move, so it may be this weekend before I get the chance, but I will pull it all apart and clean it out and let ya know. This morning, when I started the truck, the high rpm's are gone. Runs like normal in all gears, but there is still a small surge when I climb hills between 1k-1500 rpm's. No where near as bad as it was.. I am getting absolutely no codes coming up. Im wondering if the computer isnt bad? Surely something would have sent up one? My 03 Dakota send up codes for everything, but never turned the check engine light on...

 

People seem to be very eager to think that problems are a bad PCM. In actuality, the PCM is pretty reliable. Higher probability is one of the numerous sensors connected to it, and sometimes,several sensors provide multiple inouts for PCM to control something.

Don't get in too big a hurry to swap PCM. Take your time and check things out one at a time. it wwill save you $ in the long run.

Erratic idle is likely IAC. A good cleaning may work wonders.