2001
Dodge Ram 1500
5.2 Liter Engine
95,000 miles

Speedometer jumping.
Check Engine light comes on.
Suddenly won't shift out of low gear.
Turn off engine, come back later. Problems go away … only to return another day.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance.

 

Read codes, see what it's whining about.

 

I took it to my neighborhood shop when it was not in fail mode. The tech found no codes. I did the 3-key-on code check and also found no codes.

 

Have you checked fluid? How about a tranny service? Adjust the bands? Read codes? Adjust the TV cable? All things that need to be done for your trucks tranny to live a long healthy life...

 

Yes, I have kept up with all of the above maintenance. Since the problem developed, I checked the fluid level myself with engine warm and in park. It seemed fine.

 

fluid should be checked in Neutral not park...drives fine when it's not acting up?

 

I'll check it again tomorrow in Neutral. (driving my Dad's vehicle today).
Yes, it drives fine when it's not acting up.

 

Truck needs to be at normal operating temp as well.

 

O.K. I checked the transmission fluid using this procedure:
Drove around the block.
Selector placed briefly in each gear.
Brought back home.
Let idle for about 15 minutes more.
Outdoor atmospheric temperature 75º Farenheit.
Engine at operating temp.
Level ground.
Parking brake set.
Selector in Neutral.
When I checked the fluid level it was at the very bottom of the "OK" crosshatched mark.
I have purchased 1Qt of AutoZone "Chrysler ATF+4" automatic transmission fluid.
I will add a little bit tomorrow and see what happens.

 

I think its one PINT from "merely ok" to "full"..... at least, gm trannies were like that.....