Hello everybody,
I'm a bit stumped on my trans. I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 5.9 46re. I bought it last year. My truck sat over the winter. I had to fix a few things and let it sit. I fixed the problems and now my trans is acting up. It seemed to be stuck in limp mode (stuck in 3rd gear) so I did some reading and diagnosed it as the pressure switch and solenoid. I replaced both, as well as the filter. Filled it back up with fluid and it got worse. Slipped into reverse and slipped into drive. So, I did more digging. Found out that I checked the fluid level wrong. I did not know that it had to be in neutral for the levels to be accurate. So, I found out the 4 quarts I put in was not enough. I added 1 more quart to it while it was running and let that warm up. Checked again and the level was good. Reverse didn't slip as bad as before, but still was stuck in 3rd when in drive. So, I took it for a drive to see if the fluid needed to move around more?? Seemed logical. Found out that I can manually shift from 2nd to 3rd, but no 1st or OD. If I take off in drive, all I have is 3rd. Got back from my drive and it slipped going in reverse again. Could my trans pump be going bad? It is a Jasper rebuild from 4 years ago that the previous owner had installed. He hauled a horse trailer with 2 horses and a 27 foot camper with it until he bought a 3/4 ton. Any help would be very much appreciated. I know someone here has an answer for me.

 

Disconnect the 8 pin connector on the drivers side of the trans. That will disable the electronics completely. Take it for a short drive, bearing in mind, you will have ZERO automatic function. So, start in first, shift up/down when appropriate. If the trans shifts into the gear you tell it to, when you tell it to that way, then you still have an electronic problem. If it doesn't, it's likely rebuild time.

 

Thanks for the advice! I for sure will try that. I'm crossing my fingers for an electrical problem. I'm not a fan of having to rebuild the trans.