Hi there. Im new here and hoping you can help me. I have a 97 ram 1500 5.2 4x4 - over the winter the tranny started acting up, not wanting to shift correctly. Getting to the point of having to let off the gas, or drop it into 2nd and then back to Drive in order to get it to shift. It has been getting progressively worse. Was told that the filter may be clogged. So last sunday hubby took the pan down, changed the filter, changed all fluid, and added some lucus. Took it up and down the road a few times and she started shifting PERFECTLY. That lasted for about a day. Headed to our neighboring town for my sons baseball game, and when I would stop and go, it got to the point where she didnt want to move very quickly, but would still go. Then, I got stopped at a 4 way and she wouldnt budge. Turned it off, started it back up, then it would go about 1/2 a block, and stop moving again. This lasted the last mile to the game, and then she wouldnt move at all, and had to have it towed home. Hubby started checking around at the game, and could not figure anything out. Also - my OD light is now coming on on its own, and the 4x4 wont kick in.... Can anyone tell me whats wrong? Did my tranny just go out, or is there a part or parts that I can change that will fix this? Thank you so much for any help you can give!! Hubby works out of town, so Im trying to get as many ideas as possible before he gets home to look at it.

 

First, get rid of the check valve up by the radiator in the trans line. (DIY in FAQ section.)

Next, drop the pan again, (you can try and reuse the fluid, it ain't cheap, just drain it into a CLEAN pan.) with the pan down, do a band adjustment, and check the governor pressure sensor and solenoid, and see if they aren't getting choked with debris.

Hubby didn't find any metal in the pan did he?

 

No, when he dropped the pan, the only thing in it was fluid, and the pan itself was very clean. Ive had the truck for about a year now, and the pan looked brand new. The paint was still perfect, and everything..... But that was also before it stopped moving completely... I will have him check the other things as well as soon as he gets home. Thank you so much for your input!!

 

Most common repair for this problem is replacing the govenor pressure transducer and govenor solenoid.