I have a 2001 ram 2500 with a 360 auto. It shifts hard from 1st to 2nd and it wont shift into 3rd unless i let off the throttle or sometimes not at all and then it kicks down at like 40 mph. I was told by a friend that the alt being bad could have something to do with this. Went to Autozone and they did a test under load at 2k rpm the alt put out 75 amps. Is that good and what amp alt should my truck have? It shows two different ones 117 amp and 136 amp

 

Have you checked your fluid level? 80% of the time transmission problems are due to having low fluid levels.

 

Yes checked it as per the chilton manual says.

 

Your the second person today to report the same issue... Your symptoms are the same as the very common plugged governor pressure solenoid in the tranny... when they plug up or fail they shift late and sometimes not at all until you feather the gas pedal to encourage it to shift do a search on it and you'll find everything you need to know. ( or look at other current tranny threads...

 

Check the adjustment of the TV cable. If it's adjusted too tight it'll do just what you've described.

 

Ok will do. But does anyone know if the alt. is getting weak. Is the 75 amps good under a load?

 

Get a build sheet for your truck, that will tell you what alt is came with. (link in faq section for build sheet request.)

 

Thanks I got the build sheet in 15 mins! That was quick. It says I should have a 136 amp alt. I am wondering what the output should be under aload of 2k rpm's?

 

I believe at 2000rpm a typical alternator is capable of making 100 amps. So in any case you have the bigger alternator and are still only making 75A at 2000RPM, it is probably dying on you.

 

unless someone swapped it with a rebuilt at some point... I know my 350 in my vette only had a 75 amp alternator...