Hello, I am looking at getting a 2002 dodge ram 1500 4x4 with 240000 km.Well actually trading my 2003 Jetta TDI for one. The owner says that the torque converter solenoid needs to be done but every thing else is good. I asked him the story he says at 120km/h it "slips" and the converter kicks out. Other then that he hasn't noticed anything. He says hes been driving like this for a little while. My question is does that sound like the problem? I've done some searching and that seems right. The other thing is how likely is it that there is also transmission damage? Does it hurt the Transmission driving like that? Anything else I should make sure I ask? I've never owned anything but imports. Example : Toyota Tundra, Honda civic, Honda Odyssey. Any info would be great.

 

Ok I double checked I does happen some times at low speed. He's says "it just slips out and down shifts I guess."

 

I would pass. The 2002 is grossly under powered and has terrible gas mileage. I know a few friends who had those. BEST case scenario all highway was 14mpg, they were averaging like 10. When Dodge bumped the 5.9L out of the way for the 5.7L, the mpg's went up and it also gained 100hp. I average 14ish and can get 18 o the highway. That small improvement will pay you off relatively quick. ~$400/yr at 12kmi for every 5mpg's
The 4.7L got it's improvement in 2008 I believe???

I'd pass. Not worth it. Your car is worth more.

 

Thanks, I was kind of leaning that way.