2002 Ram 1500 hi-top conv.
5.2
46RE

I'm hoping someone can help me narrow down the possible causes of a repeated problem I'm having with my van.

Second owner, had it since '04, I've put 35K on it, done this since I got it.

It almost seems like the van is just completely underpowered when I describe this issue, but I'm convinced it's a trans problem.... ??????

We use the van mostly for vacation travel.
Sometimes towing a small 5x8 utility trailer.
Mostly to mountainous, hilly, vacation spots (paved roads).

More than once over the years I have run into situations where I have attempted to climb fairly steep grades and the van just wouldn't do it.
While trying to drive up a somewhat steep hill, it seems like something is slipping...... the van just sits there.

With throttle mostly to the floor, engine will tach up a bit and seem to level off at about 2000 rpm.... but not really bogging..... and the van just refuses to move.

Over the years I have been twice forced to back down grades because the van could not climb to the top. My wife was once forced to back down a windy mountain road because of the same.

I'm not talking trail here........ these are paved roads where cars travel regularly. They would be considered steep, and I know this van is heavy and somewhat underpowered, but it should be able to climb where a car can go.

I'm looking to tackle this issue once and for all, but don't want to be taken advantage of by a trans repair shop.

I've changed the filter and fluid and it didn't seem burned past what would be considered normal. I found nothing in the pan that would cause alarm.

Slipping bands?
Bad T conv.?
Underpowered engine?

I'm willing to do what needs to be done, be it a shift kit, performance TC, band adj., whatever...... just not sure where to start.

Input sought and appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

have you checked the cat converter or timing?

 

That's not a tranny slippage issue, if it were slipping the RPMs would go to 4K, 5K, 6K or more. You made no mention that the tranny drops out of OD or downshifts. If it's remaining in OD, or even 3rd on steep hills, then this would explain the lack of power you're feeling. Have you manually tried disabling the OD, or slowed down and shifted into a lower gear when climbing a steep hill?

 

I'm talking about first gear, locked in manually........ from a dead stop type of thing. Simply won't move.

Out on the open road it functions perfectly....... up and downshifting through all gears including OD, on level, uphill, and downhill grades.

I will at times manually downshift at times instead of waiting for the rpm's to drop when I know a long grade is coming in order to keep up some steam out on the interstates.

Imagine sitting at the bottom of a significant hill at a stop. You begin to pull forward, you are doing a few miles an hour. The engine begins to work a bit harder, the rpms will climb to maybe 2000 - 2500 (no tach) and you stop making forward progress........ I could sit there endlessly till I burn the thing up..... it will not move no matter how far I mash down on it. It will not stall, there is no studdering, shuttering, squealing, whining, burning, grunting....... it's almost like you have put the bumper up to an imovable object and are attempting to move forward.

It will not slip backward, but it will not proceed forward.

 

Timing was checked a while back when I did a tune up and it was dead on, it has never shown any signs of any type of issue with the cat....... no rotten egg smell, no excessive heat, not burning cherry, exhaust seems to flow freely as any normal vehicle would.

 

This is a strange one. I'm wondering if the RPMs could be going higher than you're estimating they are?

When was the last time the bands were adjusted and the fluid/filter changed?

 

I suppose it's quite possible that I'm underestimating the rpms.

When it happens I'm in a large van, on a hill, with my family, trying to figure out how I'm gonna get out of a less than ideal situation without jack kniffing a trailer, causing an accident, or wrecking the van........ I'm sure I could be off on engine speed.

As far as I know, the bands may never have been adjusted.
I've never done them. Considering it had less than 30K on it when I bought it and was only 2 years old, I doubt the original owner did em either.

Filter has been changed twice since I've owned it. I did it last about 3K ago.

I've never adjusted bands before, but do al lmy own stuff and am not afraid of trying it. Done the research, read up and watched a video....... looks straight forward and easy to do.

Was looking into buying an inch/lb tourqe wrench and giving it a shot.

Think it could be the problem?

 

Considering they're supposed to be adjusted at every fluid/filter change, I'd say it's high on the probability list as the problem.

 

Have you adjusted bands yourself?
If so..... on the 46RE?

Like I said before, I haven't, but am not hesitant about doing it.
From what I've learned, it doesn't seem to difficult as long as the proper procedure and specs are followed.

Anything I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Yes I have, and it's pretty straightforward. Drop the pan to adjust the low/reverse band, then adjust the intermediate band. Just try and get as close as possible to the torque specs for the center stud. The locknut torque isn't as critical, just make sure it moderately tight. Also, I suggest using a beam style torque wrench (pointer and scale) as opposed to using a click torque wrench.