Hey Guys, I am having some issues with my dodge shifting at weird times. Its a 97 ram 2500 V10 116k miles. I do not believe the tranny fluid has ever been changed. No engine light is on. My 1-2nd shift is at 25 (2500rpm) my 2nd-3rd shift is at 40 (2300rpm) then 3rd-4th shifts almost immediately at 45mph (2100rpm). It seems like this is a little off. If i drive very conservatively my 1-2nd shift is at 15mph (1800rpm) 2nd-3rd at 30mph (1800)rpm and 3rd-4th at 45mph (1800rpm) this seems a little more like it should be. I have tried to turn the O/D off with no real change. Any ideas guys?

 

Check and adjust the TV cable, make sure it is correct, and moves freely. Probably wouldn't hurt to do a fluid/filter change as well.

 

Thanks bud I'll let you guys know my results.

 

Well I tried to adjust the TV cable now it barely wants to shift at all. stays in first upto 2800 rpm 30mph and doesn't shift out of 2nd until 45mph??? Could band adjustment or governor solinoid be the problem? No codes are on the dash. Im hopingto drop the pan this weekend. But I doubt a tranny flush will sole this. Any ideas.

 

Also wanted to mention that when I shift to drive or reverse sometimes the truck won’t engage. It will rev up then engage. manually shifting it through all the gears seems to resolve this issue as well. Thanks

 

Got the TV cable too tight? It can be an exercise to get it 'just right'.

Band adjustment certainly wouldn't hurt, and it does sound like some of your symptoms are electronic controls related. While you have the pan out, replacing the governor pressure stuff may not be a bad idea. (and adjust the bands.....) Get the borg warner heavy duty solenoid set, they are under 100 bucks for both.

 

Well I must of over adjusted it. I was able to properly adjust it. and we are pretty much back to square one. I have the parts on order so next week I will be working on the trnny. I am still curious as to what the issue with the transmission sometimes slipping in 1st and reverse. Do they both work off of the same band/gear?

 

That, I don't know..... adjust the bands while you are in there though.

 

If it was mine and the fluid was still in decent shape (not black), I would drop the pan, change the filter, adjust the bands, clean any buildup from around the solenoid housing, remove the check valve in the cooler line (assuming its there), add a drain plug and refill with new fluid. Then drive it for a week or so, drop the pan, replace the solenoids, replace with another new filter and add new fluid again. That may be overkill, but how I would do it.

You can search the net for videos and forums about how the bands work and checking for too much wear.

I found it easier to adjust the front band if you drop the front of the front shaft. Good time to see if your u-joint is dried up too.

 

This - one of mine was having weird / similar issues to what you posted some time back and a change of fluid and flush (NOT back flush, just complete change by running fluid out at the cooler until it's clean) fixed it... that's been 30k miles ago...