97 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission slipping
 

I have a 97 Ram 1500 with a 5.2L V8 and the 46RE automatic transmission.

Recently the transmission started acting up and I just want to see if people agree with my possible diagnosis before I pull it apart (not looking forward to that).

When I come to a stop then start up again, it acts just like a manual transmission where the clutch slips. I hear the engine rev up but the transmission is not engaged. Then after reaching a certain RPM it will engage and take off. And it's just like I popped the clutch, it jolts hard and sometimes even squeals the tires. Additionally, when going down a steep hill the transmission will seemingly shift down then back up causing the truck to almost pulse down the hill if I'm off the gas. Sometimes if I give it gas and rev the RPMs back up it seems to be alright.

The check engine light is not on and I changed the output speed sensor a few months ago when it was having slipping problems but that fixed the problem at the time. I don't think it's that sensor because the light is not back on and the problems are not quite the same.

My best guess is to change the governor pressure sensor and solenoid. I did check the fluid levels and they were good, but I did it in park so I'll try it again in neutral tonight and see if that makes a difference.

Anyone agree or disagree with this? I'm hoping it's something simple and not going to cost me a ton of $. I am in the military and can take it to the auto shop where I can do it myself so hopefully it's something I can do myself.

first thing I would do as its simple and easy, check the TV cable on the throttle body, and adjust if there seems to be slack.. its better to have someone with you and check both, the lever at the transmission and the throttle body lever and make sure they move simultaneously. iirc there should only be 1/32" difference between the two.

I should also add that it only does this after it's warmed up/hot. If the truck has been sitting for a day the transmission is fine for the first 10 minutes or so.

I can agree with the TV adjustment, however the governor pressure solenoid is a problematic piece too, prone to dumping out under high line pressure. The Borg Warner HD unit works very well:

http://www.doghousediesel.com/catalog/i307.html

You might also try adjusting the bands. Get a Haynes manual and see if you have the correct tools to perform the procedure. You'll need to remove the pan for one of them. This will also give you the opportunity to see what is in the pan. Install a drain plug while the pan is off also.

Haven't been able to get under the truck because it rained most of the weekend. This afternoon I decided to check out the throttle valve cable but I'm not sure I completely understand what I should be doing.

According to the manual it says the cable end and attachment stud should be aligned to within 1mm in either direction. But I'm not sure which pieces should be aligned where. Is the attachment stud the piece on the lower right part of the throttle body lever? As you can see in this picture, there is a LOT of slack in the cable (both the short piece and the longer piece) but I don't know if that's normal.

Could this be causing my problems, and if so, how to do this adjustment? And specifically, since this only happens once the engine/transmission is warmed up, could the issue be this adjustment?

Thanks for any help! Here is a pic but there are more angles of the same thing if you view the album. If the image doesn't work just go to my Picasa Album here (https://picasaweb.google.com/karl.p....eat=directlink).

https://picasaweb.google.com/karl.p....66533013672706

I may have figured it out somewhat. See this picture (also in the album linked above). Is this what I adjust? And if so, then the slack currently in the line really doesn't matter?

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

You see that little box behind where you have the arrow?
There is a little white clip in it, you need to remove that guy and it will allow you to move the cable back and forth in that housing.
Only move the cable 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch. Then put the clip back in.

Ok, I had a chance to check the TV cable today and I think it's good. I took a picture and as you can see, the center line seems to be lined up with the stud (no slack in the line but wasn't pulling either). Got the Borg Warner HD governor sensor and solenoid from Doghouse in the mail yesterday (thanks for the link Paul) so Saturday I will change those out (and the filter while I'm there). Never done it before but it seems pretty simple so I'll give it a shot :)

Here is the TV cable: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink