I just got my ram, i noticed a loud whining, a topped off the near bone dry power steering fluid and still heard it. Additionally it had two check engine lights on related to the transmission, vehicle speed sensor, and stall convertor not locking out. Today I decided to look further into the transmission because yesterday i realized when my car is cold, it doesn't clunk into reverse. So, while checking i put in neutral and revved it after it was operating temperature, whine still there. I checked the tranny fluid and lo and behold its near empty. So, im thinking, new tranny filter, pan gasket, fresh fluid.

I was really reluctant to go ahead and service the tranny because I know when it hasnt be done all the gunk can get cycled into the pump when the clean fluid comes in, but since its near empty im going to take my chances service the tranny and hopefully rid the check engine light

Thoughts?

 

That whinning noise was probly your front pump starving for fluid, was it rebuilt??? What all was done?? If anything just fill it up and make sure nothing is wrong so you don't waste youre time putting in a new filter on a possibly messed up trans.

 

I would change the filter. Pretty cheap, and gunk may be held in existing filter. Also remove Gov pressure sensor and governor solenoid and clean (brake or carb cleaner. Also do the same with the OD and TCC solenoids. Clean off the donut shaped magnet in the bottom of pan. Would be a good time to insltall a drain nplug kit in pan as well. Do not overtighten the pan bolts as it will distort pan and cause leaks. 13 ft pounds - use a torque wrench.

Make sure when you refill, use ATF+4 only. Check fluid level in neutral only.

 

What I'd do to get a better chance of not fouling the valve body with circulating crap would be a full fluid change. To do that, first do your service and fill as usual. Then get some clear tubing and a big bucket, open the return line from the cooler, stuff the clear tubing onto the upstream fitting, and start the engine. Cycle the shifter through the quadrants, 15 or 20 seconds per position, then leave it in Drive. Pour fresh new fluid in at about the same rate it's being pumped out, and when you see the color change to fresh new ATF shut 'er down and put everything back to normal. Then top up as necessary and you're off to the races again.

That gets the crap that's in circulation out of the system. With fresh new solvent in there, though, you'll knock loose some crap that's stuck on surfaces. For that, an external filter is the hot ticket.

And if all of that work kills off or just fails to save the unit, that external filter will extend the life of the replacement transmission.

 

I got the truck for next to nothing and am going to flip it. I generally dont put a dollar into cars i flip. Although, ive grown to like the truck and drive it alot, it really hasnt given me problems considering the level i read. Just when i picked up on the reverse not clunking when shifting into reverse cold it threw a red flag so i checked the level in neutral and it was awfully low. So, i just bought a new tranny filter and gaskets 12 quarts of atf4 and the vehicle speed sensor. Hopefully after all is said and done I have no check engine light.

Now im second guessing myself and thinking i should just leave it be and top off the fluid. I just dont wanna toast the transmission because.. well no one wats to do that hahah

 

Every married guy on here who wants and can afford a PATC Mega Viper wants to see his transmission fall apart!

 

Im leaning to just topping it off now.

 

So i just topped it off and investigated further. I got under the car and its not the transmission thats whinning. SO I decided if it ain't broke dont fix it. Its infact something in the serp the whining.