My '02 Ram Van 1500 has a strange shifting problem.

When starting from a dead stop, the engine revs a little high before shifting, but it shifts smoothly enough. The van performs normally most of the time, but when approaching a steep uphill grade, it starts to climb normally, then if you accelerate, the engine revs quite a bit before the trans kicks in. As you continue up the hill, it repeats over and over.

If you go up the hill slowly, depressing the accelerator a little at a time, it doesn't behave that way.

It also happens if I punch the accelerator to pass someone on the highway, even if it's flat. It also seems to get worse with a load.

I changed the TPS and the speed sensor in the transmission with no change in behavior.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

-nick

 

Sounds like power loss at the torque converter due to a low fluid level or a slipping intermediate band. Have you checked the fluid? Also, how many miles since the bands were adjusted?

 

The fluid looks ok. I don't know when/if the bands were adjusted. I bought it used. I've never had that done. Seems like that's the next logical step.

 

The low/reverse band adjustment is behind the pan, so that would have to come down. The intermediate band however is external and is more likely the cause of the problem you're experiencing. So maybe you can just get that one adjusted to see if it makes a difference before you get too deep into tranny repairs.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know the result.

-nick

 

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Here is the band adjustment procedure:
http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/transmi...T_band_adj.htm