I've been reading relentlessly through these threads trying to nail down a resolution to my stuck in first gear trans.

Several months ago, I was leaving for a 300+ mile trip. Before I got out of town, I started having trans trouble. If I remember correctly, It was bucking. (check engine light came on).
Keep in mind, at the time I was experimenting with electrolysis hydroxy generation. And at one point, I disconnected the (upstream)? oxy sensor.
I immediately pulled over and checked the fluid. It was just a tad low. So I added & continued on my trip. Several times in the next 3-4 hours the trans would start to cut out. I'd have to pull over & disconnect the battery. At one point, I reconnected the oxy sensor. I made it to my destination. And all the way back without a hitch.
Only one time, several months later did I experience this problem without the check engine light on. And it was only for a few seconds.
So several more months pass with NO problem what so ever.
2 days ago, I was leaving a job & I ran over a curb with the passenger back tire. Gave the truck a little jolt. Nothing like off roading. But a couple miles later I lost 2nd 3rd & 4th gear. At first, it was intermittent.
Then totally gone. 1st & reverse were still strong.

After reading many posts here, The only things I've done were replace the speed sensor on the trans tail piece & drill out the cooler return valve.
Oh an I also reset the computer. Which now, I have a long hesitation for reverse & 1st.
Could anybody please advise whether to put money into changing the elect. components in the transmission? And/or the differential speed sensor?
Any help is appreciated. This forum has already been helpful.
Thanks
97 dodge 1500 magnum 4x2

 

Drop the pan and take a peak inside. Look for anchor strut that may be in pan as well as how much crud is in the bottom. Good time to install a drain plug if you don't already have one.

 

And while you are in there, clean the governor solenoid, and pressure sensor.

 

Ok, not looking too bad as far as I know. I took down the pan. NO parts floating around. Filter looked pretty dirty too. Oil was quite thin.
The only thing that raises a question is my "purple" oil. It didn't look purple on the stick.
I briefly went through a thread on taking apart the gov. solenoid. Rather than take it apart, I first thought I'd test it to see if it works.
When applying 12V to it, I hear it buzz not click as expected.
NO visual piston action. Should there be?
Should I disassemble it, clean & reassemble, what will I expect to see when testing?
Thank you all so much for your dedication to helping those in distress~!

 

I have never tested one... so, I am not sure what the correct results are..... taking it apart and cleaning it (DIY in FAQ section for that) sure wouldn't hurt you..... or, you could just replace them....... Runs just under a benjamin for the BW sensor/solenoid.

 

Don't waste your time cleaning it. Get one of these from here or inquire at a local trans shop. http://www.doghousediesel.com/catalog/i307.html

 

Update: I called autozone, they said the solenoid should click. Called the dodge garage, they said it clicks & buzzes. I took it apart / cleaned / reassembled without a hitch.
Bought a torque wrench from autozone. Only the lowest it would go was 240 " #'s...
Skipped adjusting the bands..
The only problem I had was installing the plug to the gov. Then I remembered it was difficult to remove. Closer examination revealed someone broke the keeper tab off previously. To rectify this, they installed the plug upside down. If it was right side up, it flopped around. A very loose connection. So I did what I had to do and put it upside down too. After all, it worked for the year or two I had the truck. Why not now.
I did get 2nd 3rd & OD back. However, I seem to be missing 1st gear now. And, I have a check engine light on.
I'll have the code run in the morning.
Good thing my tranny went when it did. While under my truck, I noticed I have cords showing on both front tires~~!
Thank you all for helping me get this far. And for this very informative forum.

 

i didn't. I wasn't prepared for it. Perhaps in a few weeks when I change the fluid again I will. I think the longest part of this ordeal was draining the pan~!
Thanks

 

Try checking the codes yourself like this. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...code-list.html

And get one of these for a drain plug, you won't be sorry.

 

The very first thing you should have done is checked the codes.... transmission errors dont turn the check engine light on (And why would they the engine light tells you to check the engine, not the transmission)

The governor pressure solenoid and sensor are common failures on these transmissions.... however they are often linked to other issues like an excessive amount of metal shavings obstructing flow through the screen at the bottom. (they often fail right s the torque converter starts self destructing and shedding metal)

My fear is by constantly resetting the battery and tricking the transmissions computer to run it with whacked out pressure/ flow issues all this time you may have very well caused other damage at this point..
the computer was designed to put it into "limp home mode" with only first gear to prevent further damage... constantly resetting it is very much like sticking a piece of foil in place of a fuse that keeps blowing....