46RE tranny won't always shift into drive
 

I recently bought a 99 ram 2500 with transmission problems. 20% of the time it shifts perfectly but the rest of the time it won't shift into drive and the RPM's just go up while staying in 2nd gear. When this happens I shift into neutral at around 4000RPM's and when it gets down to 2000 I shift back into drive and then it usually shifts into drive o.k. Also, when it is acting up, it won't shift into reverse without revving up and then it clunks into gear. but sometimes reverse works normal as well.
I changed the fluid and filter and didn't notice anything bad. I also changed out all 3 sensors/solenoids and adjusted the bands.
I don't know enough about the internal workings of the tranny to know what the issue could be. any ideas ?

thanks for any help

Did you change the governor pressure sensor and solenoid? (there are four electronic parts in there, that's why I ask.)

The kit I bought and installed contained the following;

That should have done it then.... That's pretty much every sensor inside, and outside the trans.

How did you adjust your bands? What did the fluid look like when you dropped the pan? Find anything interesting in there? How many miles on it?

170,000, fluid looked normal and filter was clean. there was some sediment on the magnet bit not alot. do you think the Drive and reverse are related ? Does it sound like a band issue, bad sensor, valve body ??

thanks for your help

If I had to guess, I would think the pressure sensor wasn't doing it's job. (keep in mind, they are known to be crappy at large throttle openings, and will give you exactly the symptoms you describe, and work perfectly under normal driving.....)

How did you adjust the bands? Might have backed them off a bit too far..... May have a broken accumulator spring in there as well.....

As a test.... you can disconnect the 8 pin connector for the internal electronics, and go for a ride. The trans will have zero automatic function though, so, you will have to shift it manually. If it does into the gear you tell it to, when you tell it to, its going to be a sensor problem, if it doesn't, then you have a mechanical issue.

Mine acted similar to yours and it was the front clutch.
Rebuild time if it's the front clutch.

Dave

I disconnected the connecter and went for a drive. It stayed in 2nd no matter if i shifted into 1st, 2nd, or drive. i plugged it back in and went for a drive to see if it was starting in second then, but it does start in 1st while in drive. I can feel a shifting at 15mph.

mechanical failure. Rebuild time. Sorry man.

Did you end up finding a fix?
 

I did a replacement the other day 46re 99 Dodge Ram 2500 v8. Upon startup the transmission immediately would shift into park reverse and neutral, but would not move in drive, or 1st or 2nd. My neighbor came over and we discussed it for a bit. He believes it may be that the torque converter may not be pushed all the way in causing the pump not to engage all the way, and release the bands