I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9 360 4x4 automatic transmission. When accelerating from a complete stop the transmission acts as though it is having a hard time finding which gear it wants to be in. It seems to shift fine, overdrive and through the range of gears, while going down the road. If I put it into 2nd and take off and then put into D after it gets through gears 1 and 2, it doesn't have the shifting issue. It also seems to take off a little sluggish when just taking off in D and again it takes off better when I put it in second, which I guess is probably all of the same issue.

 

First thing to check is usually the simplest. Fluid Level. Note: You must always check the fluid while the engine is running. I've noticed with mine at least, it's sensitive to fluid level, be it low or high.

 

This. With the addendum of: Make sure to check fluid level in neutral. Checking in park will give you a false reading.

 

I guess I should have mentioned that fluid was checked and appeared and smelled just fine. Level was a little high but am going to change when I fix whatever is wrong so I have not done anything with it.

 

When you drop the pan, have a look at the governor pressure sensor and solenoid too. They like to gunk up, and stop working quite correctly......

May wanna adjust the bands while you are in there too....

 

How tight should the bands be?

 

Agreed "HeyYou" I should have mentioned that.

Also, as strange as this may sound, check the grounds from the battery to the body and chassis along with the ground to the engine. Weak grounds can cause all sorts of odd and sometimes subtle issues, especially at idle simply because the alternator is putting out the least amount of voltage/amperage. I had a sputtering issue that seemed to have been solved by repairing shoddy grounds.

 

In the faq/diy section, there is a service manual thread. You wanna grab the 01 manual. Procedure is in there. Need an INCH pound torque wrench though. I have been having a hard time finding one to rent... but, they are available online to buy..... (and it wouldn't hurt having one.....)

 

I have access to one. I will look for that manual.

 

Follow directions in manual. Do not overtighten, and mark it so you can back off exactly the correct amount. Too tight will butn the band, and too loose will allow slippage.....also burn it up!