Psychotic maybe......

 

I know the feeling well!
Just talked to the guy about the tranny I'm looking at. Actually I'm gonna go look at it in the am probably. He's got a 96 tranny and 318 motor with a little over 110,000 on it and only wants $250 for it. I've got the 360 but since a lot of the parts are the same I think I'm gonna buy both.

 

Since this thread has almost ran it's course, may I piggy back? My 98 Ram had the ABS and Brake light come on a year or so ago. About a month after, the cruise control quit and about a month after that the OD button quit working-it stays in OD and the light doesn't come on when I push the shifter button. At the same time as the OD button quit shifting out of OD, the speedometer quit working below 25mph, then 30mph, now 40 mph. I'm thinking all of this is due to a faulty ABS/speed sensor in the axle. Does that sound plausible for all the symptoms combined?

 

I'd replace the rear sensor. And go from there. Disconnect the negative battery cable before doing so. I'd also have you do the key trick to check for codes, but it does not work on 98's.

 

I replaced the ABS/speed sensor and the speedo works, the ABS/brake lights are off and the cruise light comes on now. It didn't come on before when the ABS/brake lights were on. But still no cruise and the OD still doesn't turn off and the o/d off light doesn't come on.

 

You need to have the codes checked. Try replacing the brake light switch if I didn't mention that earlier in this thread.

 

No codes now. The only code previously was a misfire on #5 cylinder. I had the local shop run for codes and strangely, that is the only one.

 

Well that means your plenum is most likely blown (but that's another issue/topic).

Like I said, at least check out the brake light switch down by the pedal. It's pretty cheap and I'm sure you can replace it yourself.

 

Will do the brake switch. I don't use any oil or coolant and my mileage is excellent, relative to a Dodge. If the plenum is leaking, it's not affecting anything.

 

Except for a #5 cyl misfire. But obviously, that could be from some other problem. And since you have a 98, I'd be very surprised if the gasket was not blown. You need to check by removing the TB and looking inside with a small mirror and flashlight. It's the only real way to tell, without removing the whole intake. #5 is a common place for it to start leaking. Then the bigger problems come later.

And if the brake light switch doesn't help at least one problem, there are other things we can check out. Remove the negative battery cable first while you replace it, if you should decide to do so.