I have a 1996 Ram 1500 4x4 with a 5.2 and 46RE. I began having problems with torque converter lock-up taking longer than expected and would shutter very hard when it finally would. This condition worsened and the only way to prevent it was to turn of the overdrive. The trans has been flushed and the fluid and filter changed on a regular basis. So far I've replaced the torque converter, which has made a huge difference in drivability, but still no lock-up. I then replaced the lock-up solenoid pack on the valve body, but still no difference. Otherwise, the trans runs and shifts beautifully, better than it has in a long time; just no lock-up. I noticed that the solenoid pack runs two different things, neither of which I know what is. One has a two prong connector, the other a 4 prong. What are these and what do they do?

Also, FIY, the solenoid filter screens didn't have anything blocking them that I could see. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

are you sure your not confusing tc.lock- up with overdrive engagement.I believe the tc should lock-up in 3rd gear as well as in overdrive. ps.a faulty brake light switch can cause the tc to not lock.

 

It shifts through all 4 gears, but you don't get the RPM drop associated with lock-up. I've checked the brake light switch and found no problems, at least none that I've found yet, although it is possible.

 

replace TPS ?

 

oh is that my problem too when i give it the gas it's fine but then light throttle it won't shift out of 2nd until high rpm's is that the torque converter not locking up cause if i shift into park it seems to reset it. I dunno if it helps ya but when i took it to the transmission place they said needs new transmission but i'm sure they say that alot oh changing the fluid seemed to help me a little maybe the screen is cloged

 

The TC will not lock up if the tranny temp sensor is bad. Sounds messed up but when the tranny is cold, it has to get to a certain temp and pressure before it will go into lockup. The sensor is on the drivers side, and has a 2 prong plug. It's plumbed into a cooling line. If your's is original, it's probably bad anyway.

Do you live where the temps are dropping down low at night?



Good luck.

 

Yes, I live in northern Minnesota, so I know what you're talking about with the temp sensor. Have been pondering that one myself since the truck has seen every winter since it was built; to the tune of -35F to -40F is normal for winter. I don't believe it's the TPS as there isn't any other problems that a bad TPS creates. Although I could be way off base on all accounts. If the check engine light would kick up a code it would at least give me a vague direction. But alas, it won't and late model automatics really aren't my strong point.

Sooo... I called a friend of mine that works in the service dept. at the local Chrysler dealership. He's going to run diagnostics on it Thursday until something turns up. Will cost me an hour of shop time @ about $60, but would rather go that route than to start guessing with my wallet. Yeah, I know, dealership criminals right? We've been friends for years and he's never done me wrong so I'm not worried. Thanks for the input everyone. Will post my findings hopefully with good results after Thurs.

 

Well, today was Dr. day for the old ram, and the outlook isn't good. Seems that I've lost 4th gear all together and 3rd is "flaring", or slipping, then suddenly grabbing. When driving and watching the tach, it gives you the illusion that your in 3rd and then shift into 4th, when in reallity it's 3rd slipping until it grabs firm for a little more RPM drop. Looking back, it seems obvious. I knew I should be getting a lower RPM in 4th, but it never occured to me that I'd lost it all together. But then again, when I started having problems with 4th and lock-up, I began turning off the overdrive, and that was quite a while ago. My friend, the tech, said that running without overdrive is probably what has saved it to the point it is today. Otherwise, the added heat, wear, and tear, would have killed it far sooner.

So, with that in mind, I now have a 3 speed trans until it finally gives up. I think I'll maybe adjust the bands one more time to see if I can reduce the slippage in 3rd and make it last a little longer. I know at 189,000 miles I have more than twice the life out of my trans than many other people, and I consider myself lucky. However, proper maintenence has helped a lot.

P.S. to mattyge: At about 135,000 miles, my trans was doing the same thing. All gears worked fine except 2nd, and only 2nd. The RPM's had to get abnormally high for it to shift. Another diagnostic trip later, it was found that the valving for 2nd gear was binding for some reason. Possible issues were wear in the valve body, components, or just plain gunk in the valve body. The line pressure would have to increase higher than normal to overcome this in order to shift. The options? A new valve body-(about $900 installed) or seriously flush the trans and hope for the best. I opted for flushing and it fixed my problem. Hope this info helps you out.

 

thanks for the info, that sounds like the problem but i really don't want to invest that kind of money into it. If i just drive conservatively it works fine so i'll just drive it till something major gives up i'm hoping to get 300,000km out of her so far 226,500km