I just bought this van, and thought it started off funny but now I realize it is starting off in what I thought is second, maybe third as some posts here mention that happens with the suv. I have a 318 with I think is a four speed
I tried manually shifting and it shifted fine. When put in drive it is starting in second. Check engine lite is on and I'm waiting for a obd2 scanner to come in the mail. Does this sound like a speed sensor? van has 15,000 miles on it it's an ex Verizon van. Four speed auto three forward with overdrive

 

i got my code scanner today and the only codes the truck gave up was u2 sensor codes one high volt the other a heat problem. Nothing on trans. Truck starts in park and nuet and not in drive or reverse thinking the wiring into the solenoid pack will have to be checked

 

Stuck throttle position cable or bad governer pressure solenoid & transducer.

Check the transmission throttle position cable first because if its stuck or disconnected you'll burn up the transmission in a week or two. It should move freely: in this van it is forced to bend sharply downward to the lever on the trans so is known to bind. If the cable is within 1mm of specification then its very likely governor pressure solenoid is sticking or bad governor pressure transducer. You will need to replace both these parts at the same time if that is the case.

If you pull the transmission pan I recommend using a premium transmission pan gasket, the thin rubber ones leak and silicone makes a mess that takes forever to clean off next time. Recommend Victor Reinz W39003TC or the expensive (but reusable) plastic Mopar performance 2464324AC.

 

I found this helpful when I replaced mine. The bolts are mine were actually 7/16 and torx bolts are T20.

 

Yes I. Saw that video and have a list of parts to order. Just got back home and checked the scanner again and it claims there's a 12 volt supply relay circuit, and shift solenoid A
So I'll find out which is shift solenoid A and change out the relay... The trans cover has a bit of silicone sealer around it and I'm wondering if whoever was poking around in there put in the right fluid??? And would a few quarts of the wrong stuff make such a difference
Sometimes the trans shifts properly, I have not been driving it and think it might be the first time I drive it from start up...

 

Yes, old transmission fluid or using the wrong fluid will cause a lot of problems with these transmissions. There are only two solenoids in these transmissions as far as I know: the governor pressure solenoid and the overdrive solenoid.

Mine suddenly started slipping out of gear on the 1-2 shift and then slamming into second gear. It only happened when the ambient air temperature dropped under 40F. Apparently the solenoid got all gummed up from not changing the fluid regularly. After two fluid changes and a new governor pressure solenoid & transducer mine is back to shifting properly. I didn't replace the overdrive solenoid as that seems to be working fine.

It was also leaking badly after the first fluid & filter change I did (which didnt fix my shift issue BTW). The leak turned out to be due to a bent pan. I replaced the pan with a Dorman pan which is nice. Its thicker steel and has a drain plug and I used a premium gasket the second time. No silicone! No more leaks and will be much easier to change the fluid regularly in the future.

 

hey guys Im looking at a 99 van and the seller told me this does anyone have an idea what it could be ? heres what he told me, ( The only issue with it is the Transmission. It recently started shifting weird and has a hard time shifting into 3rd gear. (gets stuck in 2nd). I've looked online and this seems to be a common issue with the 1999 Dodge Rams and Ram Vans and is Most likely just a sensor) any help would be great

 

Hey hemi boy check out the video that black van sent me..... I emailed that company and they gave me a list of parts to change for that,governor,pressure solenoid gasket etc etc
They claim it fixs 99% of the problems, I have done a lot of research and believe that to be true, but one never knows parts cost little over a hundred bucks looks easy after watching video,will post back after install.

 

Ok I ordered a pressure soleiod and governor pressure switch.from cascade transmission with a filter and gasket....I removed the rear line on the tranny made an adapter to hose barb some clear tubing and started the van in neutral pumped out about two quarts started adding new fluid thru dip stick pumped two gallons out and started looking new replaced parts added fluid trans shifts great cured my shifting 100% I went for the heavy duty solenoid
Now if I can fix my u2 sensor maybe I can get inspected and star making money......I bought the van to have a dependable work truck...DOH.