Transmission making me crazy, 4 th gear shift and torque converter lockup problems.

lance0730 · 01-08-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC

.

Hello Everyone

I have the 47RH 4 speed automatic transmission in my 94 2500.

It has the ususal problem of only shifting into 4 th gear, and applying the torque converter lockup when it darn well feels like it.

I have been reading here on the forum for a while and have tried some of the suggestions for fixing it with no luck.

I would like to start again at square one.

What is the first thing I should check ?

Thanks for the help !
Have Fun !
RichC
:thumbsup

.

clean off rear sensor...can get junk in there especially during cold months...if its fine you may have to change it. but if its not doing it at the exact time everytime it may be something else such as a slipping TQ or whatnot...mine acted funny for a day after washing my truck in cold weather.

__________________
1996 3500: Full billet DTT, pac brake, #10,timing,AFC,3GSK,Raptor100,58/14 Hybrid,#60,lockup cntlr,3 piece,CFM

RichC · 01-08-2008, 01:32 AM

.

Hello Everyone

I have the 47RH 4 speed automatic transmission in my 94 2500.

It has the ususal problem of only shifting into 4 th gear, and applying the torque converter lockup when it darn well feels like it.

I have been reading here on the forum for a while and have tried some of the suggestions for fixing it with no luck.

I would like to start again at square one.

What is the first thing I should check ?

Thanks for the help !
Have Fun !
RichC
:thumbsup

.

__________________
1994 2500 automatic with 250,000 miles.

... I think I will quit calling this a project ...

!!! And start calling it an adventure !!!

MotorCityMadman · 01-08-2008, 10:24 AM

My son chased lockup problems for months on his 95. Tranny was rebuilt and new tq converter installed but still the problem remained. He put in three different TPS's with no luck. He could swap my stock 96 one in and it seemed to cure it. Later the problem returned and intensified (would lock and unlock, shudder, at 70 kmh and unlock intermittently at highway speeds after warming up). He then had Dodge reprogram the computer as per the TSB. This fixed the 70 kmh problem but not the random unlocks. He finally traced the TPS wires back to the computer and wired the circuit in parallel. This remedied the random problem. Plenty of headaches for just a couple of bad wires and a computer reprogram.

__________________
96, 2500, auto, 10 plate full forward, 4" ss exhaust, 15.5* timing, gauges, shift improver, WVO, B164 bypass
2004.5, 3500, SRW, WVO, B164 bypass, tone ring mod

RichC · 01-08-2008, 10:58 PM

.

Hello Everyone

I removed the rear most sensor I could find on the transmission, the Vehicle Speed Sensor, I think it is called.

Removed it from the transmission, and seperated the two halves of the sensor.

The gear section that inserts into the transmission looked good.

The union of the two halves seemd to be ok.

I did not try to open what seemed to be the sealed outer part of the sensor.

Is it possible to open and clean this outer half of the sensor ?

Thank you
Have Fun !
RichC
:thumbsup

.

__________________
1994 2500 automatic with 250,000 miles.

... I think I will quit calling this a project ...

!!! And start calling it an adventure !!!

Last edited by RichC : 01-08-2008 at 11:00 PM.

RichC · 01-08-2008, 11:06 PM

.

Hello MotorCityMadman

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotorCityMadman

He then had Dodge reprogram the computer as per the TSB.

Can the dealership do this to my computer also ?
What did it cost to have done ?

Quote:

He finally traced the TPS wires back to the computer and wired the circuit in parallel.

I am not sure I understand what you mean by wiring the circuit in parallel ?
Could you explain please ?

Thank you
Have Fun !
RichC
:thumbsup

.

__________________
1994 2500 automatic with 250,000 miles.

... I think I will quit calling this a project ...

!!! And start calling it an adventure !!!

MotorCityMadman · 01-08-2008, 11:56 PM

Are your symptoms the same as described in my earlier post?

The dealership should be able to reprogram your computer. This is a link to the relevant TSB. TSB 21-04-95

If you have a good TPS and your symptoms are the same you may wish to try and parallel the TPS circuit. After disconnecting the batteries, ensuring the key is left off, then unplug the wiring harness to the computer. With a continuity tester find the two wires for the TPS at the wiring harness pins. Splice in two new wires for the harness to the TPS. Try to splice as close to the ends as possible. The third wire at the TPS is a ground, ensure that it is good.

Best of luck.

__________________
96, 2500, auto, 10 plate full forward, 4" ss exhaust, 15.5* timing, gauges, shift improver, WVO, B164 bypass
2004.5, 3500, SRW, WVO, B164 bypass, tone ring mod

Last edited by MotorCityMadman : 01-09-2008 at 10:48 AM.

Dieseldust21 · 01-09-2008, 12:41 AM

as stupid as this sounds, this is what happend on my 96. i had that same problem. i put a bungee strap on the brake pedal and make it so it pulls towards you. or else use your foot and pull the pedal towards you. see if that cures it. cause my brake pedal spring is warn out, and it pushes the lil button which disengages lock up. let me know what yah find.
Jason

__________________
99 ram 2500 QC SB 24V Edge juice W/attitude 4inch exhaust, triple disc torque coverter, with billet input. RV-275 injectors, airdog 150, AFE intake(jet engine

) silencer ring MIA.

jdjanetka · 01-09-2008, 06:41 PM

I chased a no lock up situation around for a long time before finding it was just a bad brake switch.

__________________
95' 2500,beefed up auto with Georend t/c,kdp dead,#6 plate,homemade bhaf,5" stacks.

Joe G. · 01-11-2008, 11:51 AM

Need a few more details on what it is doing. If it is failing when everything is cold that is one thing. If it does that after the enigine and transmission are warm that it is a different problem. The 47RH has a mechanical governor so solutions that apply to a 47RE may not work. If the TPS is the problem you can eliminate it if the problem persists after replacing it. If the normal adjustment does not work you can change it to use a potentiometer. A bad brake switch is probably not the cause of erratic OD and lockup. the brake switch may be out of adjustment a little bit so bumps could cause an unlock.

__________________
KDP tab fix info and fuel system article jgeorge1@suddenlink.net '95 2500 CC auto 4X4, 3.54, EGT, boost, fuel pressure, trans temp guages, PacBrake, TST #5, DTT VB, DTT triple disk TC, DTT billet flex plate, Cummins chrome kit.

RichC · 01-13-2008, 10:34 AM

.

Hello Joe G

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe G.

Need a few more details on what it is doing. If it is failing when everything is cold that is one thing. If it does that after the enigine and transmission are warm that it is a different problem.

Both cold and warm.
It started with just the torque converter not locking up ocassionally.
It progressed to it hardly ever locking, and is starting to not shift into 4th gear more and more.

Quote:

The 47RH has a mechanical governor so solutions that apply to a 47RE may not work. If the TPS is the problem you can eliminate it if the problem persists after replacing it. If the normal adjustment does not work you can change it to use a potentiometer.

Are you saying I can eliminate the TPS all together.
Or do you mean I can only change from the standard TPS to a different type of potentiometer?

Quote:

A bad brake switch is probably not the cause of erratic OD and lockup. the brake switch may be out of adjustment a little bit so bumps could cause an unlock.

Thank You
RichC
Have Fun !
:thumbsup

.

__________________
1994 2500 automatic with 250,000 miles.

... I think I will quit calling this a project ...

!!! And start calling it an adventure !!!

MotorCityMadman · 01-13-2008, 10:49 AM

Check the TPS first

__________________
96, 2500, auto, 10 plate full forward, 4" ss exhaust, 15.5* timing, gauges, shift improver, WVO, B164 bypass
2004.5, 3500, SRW, WVO, B164 bypass, tone ring mod

Joe G. · 01-13-2008, 11:21 AM

You may just have a worn transmission so your line pressure is low. That will cause a gradual worsening of your symptoms. I think it would be a good idea to take it to a reliable shop (if you can find one of those) and get it pressure tested. If you have a service manual you can do that yourself. If your line pressure is low with all those miles on the trans, you need an overhaul.

If your line pressure is ok then you can replace the TPS with a potentiometer. If you install the pot in the cab you can adjust the MPH where OD occurs. Lockup will occur shortly after that. There is a long thread on the TDR that goes into this subject in detail and describes how to do it, what the results are, and what the drawbacks are. This is an old thread at TPS myth buster - TDR Roundtable You may not be able to access it unless you are a member. I think there has been some recent activity on that thread so maybe it is visible to non-members again. If not, then you have to subscribe to their magazine to be a member. The mag is pretty good so that's a good deal. I have subscribed to it long before they bought the web site. That thread also has info in it about how to modify the stock TPS wiring so it can be adjusted easy to the correct voltage without having to mutilate the TPS or screw up the throttle linkage.

__________________
KDP tab fix info and fuel system article jgeorge1@suddenlink.net '95 2500 CC auto 4X4, 3.54, EGT, boost, fuel pressure, trans temp guages, PacBrake, TST #5, DTT VB, DTT triple disk TC, DTT billet flex plate, Cummins chrome kit.

01-08-2008, 01:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
RichC Cummins Fan Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anna, TX (North of Dallas) Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts RichC's Truck Pics	Transmission making me crazy, 4 th gear shift and torque converter lockup problems. . Hello Everyone I have the 47RH 4 speed automatic transmission in my 94 2500. It has the ususal problem of only shifting into 4 th gear, and applying the torque converter lockup when it darn well feels like it. I have been reading here on the forum for a while and have tried some of the suggestions for fixing it with no luck. I would like to start again at square one. What is the first thing I should check ? Thanks for the help ! Have Fun ! RichC :thumbsup . __________________ 1994 2500 automatic with 250,000 miles. ... I think I will quit calling this a project ... !!! And start calling it an adventure !!!

01-08-2008, 10:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
RichC Cummins Fan Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anna, TX (North of Dallas) Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts RichC's Truck Pics	Rear sensor. . Hello Everyone I removed the rear most sensor I could find on the transmission, the Vehicle Speed Sensor, I think it is called. Removed it from the transmission, and seperated the two halves of the sensor. The gear section that inserts into the transmission looked good. The union of the two halves seemd to be ok. I did not try to open what seemed to be the sealed outer part of the sensor. Is it possible to open and clean this outer half of the sensor ? Thank you Have Fun ! RichC :thumbsup . __________________ 1994 2500 automatic with 250,000 miles. ... I think I will quit calling this a project ... !!! And start calling it an adventure !!! Last edited by RichC : 01-08-2008 at 11:00 PM.

01-09-2008, 12:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dieseldust21 Cummins Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: rochester mn Posts: 254 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Dieseldust21's Truck Pics	as stupid as this sounds, this is what happend on my 96. i had that same problem. i put a bungee strap on the brake pedal and make it so it pulls towards you. or else use your foot and pull the pedal towards you. see if that cures it. cause my brake pedal spring is warn out, and it pushes the lil button which disengages lock up. let me know what yah find. Jason __________________ 99 ram 2500 QC SB 24V Edge juice W/attitude 4inch exhaust, triple disc torque coverter, with billet input. RV-275 injectors, airdog 150, AFE intake(jet engine) silencer ring MIA.

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01-08-2008, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
MotorCityMadman Cummins Nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 404 Thanks: 12 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts MotorCityMadman's Truck Pics	My son chased lockup problems for months on his 95. Tranny was rebuilt and new tq converter installed but still the problem remained. He put in three different TPS's with no luck. He could swap my stock 96 one in and it seemed to cure it. Later the problem returned and intensified (would lock and unlock, shudder, at 70 kmh and unlock intermittently at highway speeds after warming up). He then had Dodge reprogram the computer as per the TSB. This fixed the 70 kmh problem but not the random unlocks. He finally traced the TPS wires back to the computer and wired the circuit in parallel. This remedied the random problem. Plenty of headaches for just a couple of bad wires and a computer reprogram. __________________ 96, 2500, auto, 10 plate full forward, 4" ss exhaust, 15.5* timing, gauges, shift improver, WVO, B164 bypass 2004.5, 3500, SRW, WVO, B164 bypass, tone ring mod

01-08-2008, 11:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
MotorCityMadman Cummins Nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 404 Thanks: 12 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts MotorCityMadman's Truck Pics	Are your symptoms the same as described in my earlier post? The dealership should be able to reprogram your computer. This is a link to the relevant TSB. TSB 21-04-95 If you have a good TPS and your symptoms are the same you may wish to try and parallel the TPS circuit. After disconnecting the batteries, ensuring the key is left off, then unplug the wiring harness to the computer. With a continuity tester find the two wires for the TPS at the wiring harness pins. Splice in two new wires for the harness to the TPS. Try to splice as close to the ends as possible. The third wire at the TPS is a ground, ensure that it is good. Best of luck. __________________ 96, 2500, auto, 10 plate full forward, 4" ss exhaust, 15.5* timing, gauges, shift improver, WVO, B164 bypass 2004.5, 3500, SRW, WVO, B164 bypass, tone ring mod Last edited by MotorCityMadman : 01-09-2008 at 10:48 AM.

01-09-2008, 06:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
jdjanetka Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts jdjanetka's Truck Pics	I chased a no lock up situation around for a long time before finding it was just a bad brake switch. __________________ 95' 2500,beefed up auto with Georend t/c,kdp dead,#6 plate,homemade bhaf,5" stacks.

01-11-2008, 11:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Joe G. Diesel Head Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eureka, CA Posts: 1,644 Thanks: 2 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts Joe G.'s Truck Pics	Need a few more details on what it is doing. If it is failing when everything is cold that is one thing. If it does that after the enigine and transmission are warm that it is a different problem. The 47RH has a mechanical governor so solutions that apply to a 47RE may not work. If the TPS is the problem you can eliminate it if the problem persists after replacing it. If the normal adjustment does not work you can change it to use a potentiometer. A bad brake switch is probably not the cause of erratic OD and lockup. the brake switch may be out of adjustment a little bit so bumps could cause an unlock. __________________ KDP tab fix info and fuel system article jgeorge1@suddenlink.net '95 2500 CC auto 4X4, 3.54, EGT, boost, fuel pressure, trans temp guages, PacBrake, TST #5, DTT VB, DTT triple disk TC, DTT billet flex plate, Cummins chrome kit.

01-13-2008, 10:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
MotorCityMadman Cummins Nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 404 Thanks: 12 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts MotorCityMadman's Truck Pics	Check the TPS first __________________ 96, 2500, auto, 10 plate full forward, 4" ss exhaust, 15.5* timing, gauges, shift improver, WVO, B164 bypass 2004.5, 3500, SRW, WVO, B164 bypass, tone ring mod

01-13-2008, 11:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
Joe G. Diesel Head Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eureka, CA Posts: 1,644 Thanks: 2 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts Joe G.'s Truck Pics	You may just have a worn transmission so your line pressure is low. That will cause a gradual worsening of your symptoms. I think it would be a good idea to take it to a reliable shop (if you can find one of those) and get it pressure tested. If you have a service manual you can do that yourself. If your line pressure is low with all those miles on the trans, you need an overhaul. If your line pressure is ok then you can replace the TPS with a potentiometer. If you install the pot in the cab you can adjust the MPH where OD occurs. Lockup will occur shortly after that. There is a long thread on the TDR that goes into this subject in detail and describes how to do it, what the results are, and what the drawbacks are. This is an old thread at TPS myth buster - TDR Roundtable You may not be able to access it unless you are a member. I think there has been some recent activity on that thread so maybe it is visible to non-members again. If not, then you have to subscribe to their magazine to be a member. The mag is pretty good so that's a good deal. I have subscribed to it long before they bought the web site. That thread also has info in it about how to modify the stock TPS wiring so it can be adjusted easy to the correct voltage without having to mutilate the TPS or screw up the throttle linkage. __________________ KDP tab fix info and fuel system article jgeorge1@suddenlink.net '95 2500 CC auto 4X4, 3.54, EGT, boost, fuel pressure, trans temp guages, PacBrake, TST #5, DTT VB, DTT triple disk TC, DTT billet flex plate, Cummins chrome kit.