Transmission problems
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Transmission problems
Hello all,
I've just bought a 1998 Ram SLT 5.2 v8.
I bought it knowing there was a transmission issue but from what I have read on the internet, it could be a simple ish fix?
The Ram has not been used a great deal in the last 3 years. In that time it has done 1000 miles.
The previous owner told me that it would go into first and sometimes change up through the gears but lately it will only go into 1st.
It goes into reverse just fine. The transmission is smooth going into reverse and then into 1st or into D.
Can anyone help me out and point me in the right direction?
Thanks in advance.
Dave
I've just bought a 1998 Ram SLT 5.2 v8.
I bought it knowing there was a transmission issue but from what I have read on the internet, it could be a simple ish fix?
The Ram has not been used a great deal in the last 3 years. In that time it has done 1000 miles.
The previous owner told me that it would go into first and sometimes change up through the gears but lately it will only go into 1st.
It goes into reverse just fine. The transmission is smooth going into reverse and then into 1st or into D.
Can anyone help me out and point me in the right direction?
Thanks in advance.
Dave
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
Does it not want to shift? Might be as simple as a governor pressure solenoid, and sending unit. Any idea when the last time the trans pan was dropped? How's the fluid look? Up at the correct level? (check in neutral, checking in park will be inaccurate.)
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From: Gainesville, Ga.
welcome to df.
as a test - use the shifting lever as if it was a manual and shift up/down with it. if it does what you tell it to do and all the gears work, then you can likely fix it by cleaning or replace governor pressure sensor and solenoid. if it won't shift manually, then you've got more serious problems. fluid change, pressure sensor and solenoid are about the only easy fixes.
as a test - use the shifting lever as if it was a manual and shift up/down with it. if it does what you tell it to do and all the gears work, then you can likely fix it by cleaning or replace governor pressure sensor and solenoid. if it won't shift manually, then you've got more serious problems. fluid change, pressure sensor and solenoid are about the only easy fixes.
Legend
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Austin, TX
....and the answer is........
It can be a simple fix. Let us know if you tried what dhvaughn said and let us know. Might also want to disconnect electricla plug on left side of tranny where the shift linkage connects. It removes the electrical components form the operation and should shift manually if it will be the easy fix.
Also check TV cable. May need adjusting. It will jack with shifting as well.
It can be a simple fix. Let us know if you tried what dhvaughn said and let us know. Might also want to disconnect electricla plug on left side of tranny where the shift linkage connects. It removes the electrical components form the operation and should shift manually if it will be the easy fix.
Also check TV cable. May need adjusting. It will jack with shifting as well.
Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Western NY,
sounds like the same issues I had when my gov pressure soleniod and sensor failed... its a very common issue and easy to replace in under 2hrs.. you can buy better than oem borg warner replacements on ebay for half what they want at dealer or napa..
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I took the Ram for a quick spin today and the transmission worked as it should, after a while. For the first mile it wouldnt change out of 1st. I switched off and on the o/d to see if that made any difference, then i stopped. I put in some petrol then drove to where i was going. I mmediately the transmission worked, and has kept working.
Very curious.
Very curious.
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From: Leesburg, IN
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Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Western NY,
when the solenoid or sensor starts to plug up and fail it does it intermittently then gets worse. sometimes feathering the pedal will get it to shift...I bet if you hooked it up to a scanner you would see codes telling you whats wrong..tranny errors dont give you a check engine light....I'm surprised you drove the truck a mile in first gear...that cant be to good for things
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I've ordered a oem solenoid kit so hopefully that will arive from the U.S soon. Then I'll change the filter at the same time, and get some good quality transmission fluid.
When I drove it, a fair bit of the mile drive was through side roads, so it wasn't too stressed then once off the side roads it was a 30 mph road, so no excessive revving. It did turn a few heads though.
When I drove it, a fair bit of the mile drive was through side roads, so it wasn't too stressed then once off the side roads it was a 30 mph road, so no excessive revving. It did turn a few heads though.
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I've ordered a oem solenoid kit so hopefully that will arive from the U.S soon. Then I'll change the filter at the same time, and get some good quality transmission fluid.
When I drove it, a fair bit of the mile drive was through side roads, so it wasn't too stressed then once off the side roads it was a 30 mph road, so no excessive revving. It did turn a few heads though.
When I drove it, a fair bit of the mile drive was through side roads, so it wasn't too stressed then once off the side roads it was a 30 mph road, so no excessive revving. It did turn a few heads though.
Use ATF+4 only. Does not matter what brand. And do not use any additives.