I have recently, with the great help of this forum, removed and overhauled the 46RE in my Ram 2500. It went well overall, and I used the tutorial on this site, an ATG rebuild manual, and high quality parts. Transtec shift kit, sonnax servos, and red frictions.

The unit is back in the truck, all plumbed and wired, and yesterday I started it up for the first time.

Absolutely nothing happened with this transmission. Nothing in any gear. Engine just idles like it is in park / neutral the entire time.

No doubt this is due to my own ignorance, but I do not know where to start with this trouble shooting. I installed a rebuilt torque converter and used great care with all seals, tolerances, etc., and am reasonably confident in the mechanical side of this rebuild.

The valve body and/or electrical components are my suspicion, but I am hoping that something about this issue will raise a flag for some of you.

Literally the only thing that works is the OD light with the stalk button.

I am baffled...

Thanks in advance for helping with this.

 

How much tranny fluid have you put in it so far?

Dave

 

I think it was 12 quarts, including the prime on the torque converter. In idle, it is reading on the top of the 'full' reading. Is it possible for there to be a situation where the pump does not prime for a while? I used transjel on everything during reassembly, but not a massive amount....engine has run for about 5 minutes total so far.

thanks.

 

Did you go thru all the gears one at at time, never start with reverse, and let it sit in that gear for good 15, 20 seconds then check level in neutral?
And trans need to be at operating temp for final fluid level check.

Dave

 

Are you running the stock pan still?

Dave

 

I will cycle back through all the gears again later today, it was just odd to me that there was absolutely no engagement in any gear position, the engine will just rev. Seems there is no fluid pressure, but I cannot imagine why. The pump was fine prior to the rebuild, and nothing exploded prior to the rebuild, it was just time for new clutches, etc.

thanks.


tom

 

Also, replaced the pan, but it is identical to the old one, except with a drain plug.


thanks.

 

Ok so the pan is no deeper than stock so it shouldn't require a filter extender right?

Dave

 

Correct. Same depth.

thanks.

 

Verify fluid level is correct. Unless you made a modification to the valve body, you have to check fluid in neutral, engine running, fully warmed up, to get an accurate reading.

Once fluid level is correct, put the trans in first, and give it a minute. See if it will move.