Hello all! Frequent lurker/reader, infrequent poster.

'99 Ram 1500 5.2L 2wd; trans is a 46RE from a '96 2500 5.9L gas 2wd rig. I bought this thing early last summer and drove it about 6 months. There were a few random time that, under normal acceleration, it would shift 1-2-3, then drop back to 2 for a few seconds, then back to 3 and OD, No change in acceleration, just the trans acted like it didn't know where it was supposed to be momentarily.
Fast forward to mid-November; all was fine, someone else borrowed it, I drove it a few days later and thought "dang, something ain't right..." then I started counting the shift points and realized it's starting out in 2nd gear. So, here's where I am: no slippage, no harsh shifts, fluid is full and correct color. No CEL/codes. I unhooked the black 8-pin connector on the case and shifted it manually; I get 1st gear on the initial launch only. Let's say I shift 1-2-3, come to a full stop, pull shift lever back down to 1st... no good, she takes off in 2nd. If I shift to Neutral, wait 5 - 10 seconds, pull it down to 1st, it takes off in 1st, shift 1-2-3... it shifts when I move the lever, firm with no slippage. Is it normal that I have to shift back to Neutral to recover 1st gear? I would've thought that 1-2-3, full stop, pull back down to 1st... would actually put me in 1st.
Just for grins, I hooked the 8-pin connector back up, same behavior. Fire it up, throw it in D and go, she starts off in 1st gear. But once it shifts out of 1st, I have to go back to N for 5 - 10 seconds and pull manually down to 1st to actually get 1st.
Does it sound like this is strictly a governor pressure sensor and solenoid issue? Given the previous occasional odd 2-3 shift and now no 1st, that's what I was thinking. I found them on Ebay for about $65 for both. But the fact that I have to go to Neutral to recover 1st is kinda throwing me off and I'm not sure this is the correct answer.
Y'all's thoughts?

Thanks,

Anthony

 

Yeah, changing the electronics *should* solve the issue. The behavior with the electronics disabled though.... That's a head scratcher. I honestly don't know if that is normal, or not.

 

Parts ordered, supposed to be here Friday; will let y'all know how it turns out. Thank you!1

 

You should prolly adjust the bands while you are in there too.

 

I put in the new solenoids yesterday afternoon and the issues seems to be resolved. Borg Warner 50085 and 50185 were the part numbers for the new solenoids. Thanks for your help!

 

Excellent.