i have a 99 dodge ram pickup, 2500 5.9 gas motor. auto trans, 4x4. i was driving last night and all of a sudden it started to slip out of gear, rev up, and then catch again. it got a little worse but not much. shifts high out of first then second is fine then 3rd revs up REALLY high. if i stomp the gas it catches then revs out again. i checked the fluid, it was up to level but it was pink not red. like water got in somehow.. any ideas? please help and please tell me its just a filter and new fluid i need!!!

 

Did you check the level while motor running and truck in neutral?

 

Also check your engine coolant level....If you have a cracked cooler, coolant will leak into the transmission......you will be extremely fortunate if the trans is not damaged if that is the case.....

 

everything was at the right level. i checked it in park with it running not neutral. the fluid was pink as if water or something got in there. i changed the filter and put new fluid in. it did fine for a mile then did what it was doing before... any thoughts?

 

Check fluid level in neutral. Might just be low.

Did you find anything interesting in the pan when you had it off?

 

Not saying low fluid is your prob. But checking it in park is wrong , like you have been told. And if you don't believe what anyone has suggested, download the FREE FSM from the FAQ section and get a Haynes manual(which I don't understand why any DIY'r wouldn't already have one).

 

i dont doubt you zman. i dont think the fluid is the issue. i just took it for another ride to see what happend. it wont go out of first so what do you think? bands? solenoid? when i changed the fluid i made sure to put the right amount in and that it was up to level. i will check it again tomorrow in neutral.. heyyou: there was some very small metal shavings stuck to the magnet along with black gunk..

 

Not real unusual. Need to make sure the fluid level is indeed correct before going further though.... I have seen these trans take anywhere from 4 to 7 quarts just doing a filter change.

 

yea i might have to add more. i only put in 5 1/2. but before i changed it, it was all there. it was just really pink. like water or something got in there. but i havent drove threw any puddles or anything. (its been dry here in RI) something similar happend to me when i took my jeep threw a swap. i milkshaked the tranny with mud. but when i did that it worked for a couple day and i had nothing. i only have first gear in the ram..

 

Did you happen to clean the governor solenoid, and pressure sensor while you were in there?