I can't find any posts quite like what I'm experiencing. I have a 2001 5.2l ram 1500 laramie with the 46re transmission. It suddenly started slipping out of gear on my way to work. I could shift to a different gear on the column and get it back for a few seconds but it would eventually act like a manual with the clutch engaged. It finally gave up and wouldn't go in gear at all so I called for a lift. While I waited I tried a couple things and it seems like the trans just can't build pressure but if you cut the engine for a few seconds and crank her back up, it shifts back in gear fine and runs through the gears fine for about a minute all the way to OD. Then its back to nothing or just barely pulling at high rpm. Also if you run through the gears on the column the first couple are fine but it gets weaker each time you change gears. Hard accelleration also causes it to go limp sooner. Thing is even though you can't get it to move, the rpms dip just a bit when put in gear when it acts up. The truck also stalled a couple times when it did catch this morning. No stalling before today though.

The fluid and filter were just changed a weak or 2 ago with the accumulator spring. Fluid is full and looks almost new. No burnt smell but just a hair darker than new. Also there are no particles on the stick to make me think the bands flung apart.

There is no CEL or idiot lights at all so the ECM doesn't seem to think its a problem.

Sorry to be long winded but I don't want to miss anything. Its been a long week and I dont have the money for a new trans even if it is my only vehicle.
I'm hoping I got a bad filter and it just needs to be swapped but I'm not used to these trucks yet. I could possibly spring for a torque converter but just the wrecker bill is gonna hurt bad enough.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

Welcome to DF!

Try this: Crawl under the truck, and on the drivers side of the trans, about halfway back, there is an 8 pin connector. It goes down into the top of the throttle body. (straight down.) Disconnect it. Go for a drive.

The trans will have ZERO automatic function. You will have to start in first, and shift as appropriate. It won't downshift either.... there won't be any O/D, or TCC. You will have three gears to play with, and that's it.

So, start in first, upshift when appropriate, same for downshifting when slowing down. If the trans works fine this way, you just have an electrical problem, and can solve it by changing the governor pressure sensor, and solenoid in the trans. (fluid and filter change as well, as you have to drop the pan.)

If it still doesn't wanna do what you tell it to, then its rebuild time.

 

The filter had colapsed on itself. We opened it and found grass, dirt and brown plastic bits. I just hope it didnt do too much damage limiting the pressure.

 

Inside the transmission?!?!

Grass???

 

It was mostly in the filter but a little made it back into the fluid. My best guess is somebody was doing a trans job on the ground and just returned the filter for some reason. It was a mess inside. The valves took a beating not getting enough fluid. There was a fair bit of black powder in the fluid behind the filter. Hopefully it will be alright. Its running like a champ with the new filter. Just realized the shifting had gotten a little off the last week with that filter. More than a bit rougher than it was before. Funny how you dont think about that type thing until after the fact. I need to get a better scanner so I can eye the pressure for awhile but I dont know where Id get the money for one. Thinking about a bluedriver since torque doesnt have the right PIDs and Palmers been claiming theyll add them since 2000. I dont want to have to carry a big specialised one if I can help it.