Okay so I've spent about 6 hours or so combing these forums and haven't read a story quite like what my Ram is doing. I have a 99 half-ton quad cab 4X4 with a 5.9L V8. Here's the issue:
Roughly 65% of the time it drives fine. It shifts perfectly. The other times the check engine light comes on and the transmission will NOT grab 1st. I believe it's going into limp mode. I have tested it quite a bit and second, third and overdrive catch just fine.
So far, we have replaced the governor pressure parts (the solenoid and the regulator I believe) and that's it. I can't remember the code off the top of my head but the description was something to the tune of "Governor pressure out of bounds". I can get the exact code tomorrow if need be.
I'm hoping you guys can help me out and this is not an extremely deep rooted transmission problem. I bought this truck in september (paid KBB retail price... of course >.<) and don't want to have to rebuild the transmission. I've had a lot of luck with forums in the past and hope to get some help.

Thanks!!

 

What brand governor pressure sensor and solenoid did you buy?

Welcome to DF!

 

Thanks for the welcome! I got them from the Lithia Dodge Dealer here so I'm assuming they were Mopar/Chrysler brand. I got a discount on them since I have family in the auto parts business here.

 

Well, those should be good then.... Might wanna check the connector on the drivers side of the trans, we had a member here that had one that is in pretty bad shape.....

 

I'm curious as to what the code is. You can check in the manner also and see what comes up. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...code-list.html

 

interesting, I didn't know the key trick would work on the newer ones. I know it works on my 94 Jeep. I'll go try the key trick at lunch.

 

It should work on your 99 ram. Doesn't work on 98's for some unknown reason.

 

Sometimes the wire harness going to the gov pressure solenoid will crack and a little bit of tranny fluid will get inside the wires and mess things up. This usually happens right at the connector inside the tranny

 

I forgot to grab the codes at lunch will try to remember when I leave work. Is the connector on the inside of the drain pan? or can I look at it just by crawling underneath the truck?

 

Drivers side, kinda toward the back of the trans, on the outside. Check that first at any rate. Should be like an eight pin connector.