Hey fellers. I figured it'd make more sense to post a new, updated thread than to necro my old one from a few months ago. Basically I have an update, a new lead and a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

My 2001 Ram 1500 5.9 4x4 started giving me problems a few months back. First it threw a p1740 code with no drivability issues. Few weeks later it started randomly not wanting to upshift into any gear. Week or so later it started ONLY shifting when cold, then it would never shift hot unless I threw it in neutral and back in drive, it would shift fine.

Now it won't even shift cold most of the time. Sometimes it feels like it will *almost* shift into 2nd if I let off the gas at about 3k RPM, but it's almost like it will get caught between 1 an 2, and if I give it more than a slight bit of gas it'll slip back into first. Still, if I throw it in neutral and back in drive it will shift fine.


After spending -literally- HOURS browsing the internet I finally came across a post on a random forum somewhere in the depths of the web of someone describing the same exact circumstances. Same exact truck, Same code, same symptoms. Their story was they took it to a trans shop, had it rebuilt, had the same problem. Brought it back and the trans shop said they replaced the "solenoid pack" and that fixed the issue.

So... I spent hours searching "solenoid pack" for my truck... I'm 100% convinced there is no such part called a "solenoid pack" for a 2001 dodge ram 1500 5.9 4x4. This is typical though... Why call it a complicated name like "Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid" or "Governor Pressure Solenoid" when you can just say "solenoid pack", eh?

Well, my GP Solenoid and Sensor are less than a year old. The Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid is a probable cause for the p1740 and it comes in a bracket with an O/D solenoid, which could easily be called a "pack", but I looked up symptoms of a bad TCC solenoid and there are absolutely no drivability issues associated with it.

I also came to find that while for the life of me I can find no reference to a shift solenoid for this transmission there *is* a shift solenoid on top of the valve body. It's roughly 1/2 the size of the VB itself and has a large, 5-10 prong plug. Also reasonably called a "pack". This piece is the one I'm suspecting... But it's not called a f*cking "shift solenoid", and I can't flippin' find a name for it! Hell, the only reference to it I could find was in a video of a guy rebuilding a trans and he didn't even call it a name - he just said, "n' take this solenoid off here" -_- From what I can glean from the very vague information I've been able to come across, this particular part is in fact a shift solenoid, controls the shifting of the transmission, and every reference to it going bad, albeit vague as they were, pointed to the exact same symptoms I'm experiencing.

Problem is - try as I may - I cannot find this part. Anywhere. I don't even know what to call it - I can't even find a reference to it anywhere! It's most definitely there, it's a part of the transmission... But I cannot find a name for it, let alone the part itself.

Basically, I have two very important questions that I would greatly appreciate an answer to if anyone has said knowledge:

#1: The piece previously described exists, yet there is very little information available on it. ANY information would be great - what's it called, where can I buy a new one, and I will personally mail you a token of my affection if you can tell me the quickest and easiest way to replace it.

#2: This question is rather arbitrary, but does the TCC and/or O/D solenoid have any influence on shifting? Is it reasonable to think this particular solenoid combination could be the culprit?

I've owned this truck for over 8 years. It's been my baby - the only thing I drove. I've gone through quite a few transmission part failures and fixes and after driving it with this issue I can say hands-down I KNOW this is not a major mechanical failure... i can feel it in my bones - it's a stupid, stupid electrical control component problem.

Any information is greatly, greatly appreciated, fellas. Thanks!

 

This looks like what I might call a "solenoid pack."

https://cobratransmission.com/soleno...FUVhfgodNDsOXA

 

Here's a pic of it in the valve body...

 

Does this help with the replacing thereof?

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/recalls/Notice690.htm

 

No, that's the governor pressure sensor / solenoid. What I'm speaking of is on the other side - the top side - of the valve body.

& dbb1 That's the TCC Solenoid / OD solenoid. One of the possible causes but less likely than tha aforementioned mystery solenoid.

 

Shifting issues are unlikely to be caused by the O/D and TCC solenoids, if those go bad, you simply don't get whichever one they control.

For general shifting issues like you are seeing, that sounds a LOT like a failing/plugged governor pressure solenoid/sensor. Various folks make 'heavy duty' versions, that you can get off EBay for around 100 bucks.

Wanna test? Crawl under the truck, and unplug the 8 pin connector, 'bout halfway back, on the drivers side of the trans. This WILL set codes. Go for a drive, keeping in mind that your trans will have ZERO automatic function. It will stay in whatever gear you put it in. So, start in first, accelerate slowly, shift to second, then third. If the trans shifts into the gear you tell it to, when you tell it to, replace the governor stuff. If it doesn't, highly likely to be rebuild time.

 

Sorry, my old, feeble mind wandered while reading your post. I re-read it again after taking some brain-viagra (coffee). You're looking for the "shift" solenoids. Gotcha. Now what was I doing again???

 

lol thanks for your input though!

HeyYou: I don't see any 8-pin electrical connector. In fact the only two electrical connectors I can find are the 3-pin output shaft speed sensor and a 5-pin connector on top of the trans but from the looks of it that's only for the two O2 sensors.

Also, by "force" into gear I mean putting it in neutral at speed and back in drive to make it shift into the appropriate gear... I don't have a slapstick or anything. Sounded like that's what you were envisioning. Will your test for the Governor components still work?

 

It's on the drivers side, about halfway back on the trans. Goes straight down into the top of the valve body. It's there. Trust me.