I'm hoping someone out there can help me. I havea 2001 Dodge Ram 1 ton cargo Van witha 360 magnum V-8 and a three speed automatic transmission with OD and approx 103K miles. I pull a 27 foot Airstream travel trailer with it since 75K when I bought it and it has run perfectly ... until recently. Then one day it started with an oddball problem - when cold, trailer in tow or not, the engine roars and thetrannydoesn't seem to fully engage until it gets up to about 20mph. Then something clicks in and it goes into the higher gears no problem. And when I stop, the problem has apparently gone away. It takes off in 1st gear as it always has without roaring. Until it sits for 5-6 hours and the problem starts all over again. This happens in both forward and reverse.

Also ... another relateddevelopment or not - I think I am beginning to hear a very subtle whine when accelerating above 50mph that I'mpretty sure was not there before. It's almost like the tranny is not getting enough fluid or something. But that's just a guess.I am not mechanically inclined but have taken it to a mechanic who says the transmission is fine. Nonetheless, the problem persists and it is hard to replicate. By the time I get it to his shop, it is running perfectly.

Ordinarily this would not be a major concern, but I am planning a cross country trip in the near future, towing my trailer, and do not want to have a problem and get stranded, particularlycrossing the Rockies.

I have been scanning the forums and have read some talk about torque converters, tightening belts, sensor or solenoid problems, and/or band adjustment. Could any of these possibly be the problem? I would love to give my mechanic a heads up on what to check if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks in advance.

 

With the miles the tranny already has, doing a filter, screen clean, flush and band adjustment would be ideal since a mechanic feels the tranny is in goo shape. This way, you wouldn't need to rebuild the tranny.

Remember to use only ATF+3 or what is recommend on the owners manual. If a TSB states that ATF+# superseeds the older fluid, then use it.

 

Iagree that you shouldlook into the band adjustments. From the sounds of it, the low/reverse band is a bit loose until the tranny heats up. Once you're in 2nd gear the intermediate band is doing the work so you're okay at that point.

The whine over 50 mphsounds likethe OD gears are worn. If the whine was there more so at lower speeds it would indicate a worn input shaft bearing, but that's not the case here.

 

Thanks, guys. Appreciate your expertise. Will check it out and let you know.

 

when the 5.2/5.9 Magnum V8 is 'dead cold'
the silicone fluid in the viscous clutch fan
is very honey like
and it runs the fan blades up to higher rpms at first
then as the silicone fluid slips and heats up
the fan blade rpm is limited to no more than 800 rpm
unless the clutch locks up when air going past it is more than 220 degrees F.

Inside 36 and 46 series automatic transmissions
the torque converter clutch is not allowed to lock if the engine coolant
is too cold...this allows more of a slipping feeling in third gear of a 36
until the engine coolant warms past 147 degrees F or more.

 

Well, here's the latest. Did as stev above said, did a flush, screen clean, filter change and adjusted bands, filled with ATF-4 and still have the same problem. My mechanic confirms the tranny is in good condition. As HankL above suggests, right now he suspects it's a problem with the fan clutch. Only question I have is why would the van run flawlwssly without this problem for 25K+ miles, then it rears its ugly head all of a sudden? Any advice or ideas would be apprciated. Thanks.

 

Because everything works until it breaks.

 

UPDATE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM: Turns out it was indeed the fan clutch. But after trying two different aftermarket fan clutches, neither on of which fixed the problem, my mechanic thought we'd try an OEM fan clutch. Since he installed it, the problem is gone - no engine roar and low gear seems to engage right away even when the engine is cold. Lesson here, I guess, is use OEM parts whenever possible. Thanks to all for your input.

 

I'm not sure what mostbelieve but I would never allow my tranny to get into overdrive while towing. This is the number one reason I went with taller tires. Remember the tranny shop chages around 800.00 ot rebuild a 727 and an extra 1000.00 for that fourth gear alone, towing in fourth is an incredible strain on the overdrive.