my 1996 dodge ram 1500 2wd auto, 5.2l engine
ran low on tyranny fluid due to a clogged filter that I think caused the problem and blew the pan gasket or it just failed.

it wouldnt go at all. I changed the filter and replaced the fluid. when I put it in drive it does go. but when I took it for a test drive, it started revving and didn't want to shift out of first I thought, but, then I realized it wasn't really working right and I barely got it back home baying it upp a small hill.

I don't trust it but wonder if I ruined something when it ran out of fluid when the fluid leaked out. I thought it was OK until I took it out for a shift thru the gears which it did OK one time then the symptoms I described above started once I got past about 1 mile mark headed back home.

​​​any suggestions.
thx
RR

 

Sounds like the transmission is likely burnt up from the clogged filter/low or no fluid. Since its a 1996 model, it's likely time for a rebuild. Mine died in a similar manner and I had it rebuilt. All is well now.

 

I have never rebuilt one. I don't imagine it's a cheap or easy process. I just use it to haul scrap mostly. It's too bad because all the parts including wheel bearings enter and outer, tie ride ends, brakes everything is new on it water pump you name it I've replaced just about everything on this including rotor plugs plug wires. But that's before the transmission problem.

I've got a y-pull-it place up the street I can pull another trans out, but there's no guarantee that one would be good to begin with. I doubt they keep records of why it was junked anyway.

 

If the truck is in decent shape, it's certainly worth having the transmission rebuilt or put another one in it from a salvage yard, given the current prices to replace your truck with a newer one. You can also check car-part.com, as that site has inventory for small salvage yards within a certain mileage from your zip code, if you decide to go that route. You can also check Facebook Marketplace and your local Craigslist for a used transmission and/or folks parting out 2nd gen Dodge trucks.

Personally, if you plan to keep the truck a decent length of time, I'd tend to have the transmission rebuilt

 

it has another problem. when it's at operating temp, the thing won't start unless you floor it and play with the accelerator pedal for a couple of minutes, then it runs fine until you stop and try to start it warm or hot again.
if it cools down, turn the key and fires right up.
I changed everything I could think of related to it. pvc, map, etc.
everything else is good on it but not sure I want to fck with it because I am too busy with other stuff to take the time.
I'm in Florida and it stays in a dry place. until today I pulled it out to test drive it.

 

Check engine light on at all? Do you have a code scanner to check for any codes, stored or pending?

 

Fix the trans, the starting problem is likely something simple, like an engine coolant temp sensor failing. Your truck has two, a one-wire sensor for the gauge, and a two-wire sensor for the PCM. Two-wire sensor tends to get old and brittle, as does the connector, and you get strange problems.

 

changed both of those. temp gauge works now. I probably changed every small valve, etc on the engine.

while I research my options for a transmission, I can work on this problem.

I think parts and transmissions are probably easy to find. was that compatible transmission from 1995-2002?

RR
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that's a good idea. I did get 2 seemingly unrelated codes off the engine but I forgot what they were it's been awhile. One of them was the O2 sensor which I changed but the code didn't go away still I forgot what the other code was.

I have to flash the codes with the key on this one because it's pre OBD2 probably by just a few months.

 

You don't have an OBD2 connector under the dash? Sounds strange if you have a 42RE transmission in your truck, which is an electronically shifted transmission. As an FYI, the 42RE is a light duty transmission. I'd be shocked if you don't have the OBD2 connector under your dash.. It would be very helpful to get those codes to help troubleshoot your issue.

Also, if you plan to do any type of consistent hauling or towing with your truck, you might want to consider upgrading to a 2WD 46RE transmission.. If you're looking for a used unit, it would need to come out of a '96-'97 vehicle.