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Shifting Issues

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1.9K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  my_samurai  
D
#1 ·
Hey everyone!

I have a 2001 Dodge 2500 diesel with 220k miles (which is serviced regularly) that I have been having shifting issues with and am hoping that someone can help me.

The issue is that the transmission does not/will not shift to the next gear at random times and at random gears.

I had it taken to a dealership and it was diagnosed as a bad governor solenoid and sensor. I replaced both items and the transmission seemed sluggish at first but shifted fine. That lasted a month and the shifting issue started again.

Replaced the solenoid and sensor again along with the filter and new fluid put in..lasted about a month again before the issue came back.

Went ahead and replaced the sensor and solenoid and filter again, plus took the valve body off and cleaned thoroughly. Then took to a dealership and had the transmission flushed...again lasted about a month before the shifting issues started up.

I have noticed that it seems more prominent in the 1/2 shift and revving high then letting your foot off the throttle seems to be the best way to get it to shift, but its not always a proven method with the truck.

If anyone can please help me out on where to go next it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
M
#2 ·
Usually having the tranny flushed with that many miles is usually not good idea. But two things to look into your valve body being worn out and your torque converter. My '00 ram auto is at 252k and her shifting is okay until I put a loaded trailer on. When I do she shifts like what your sayin and I know I need to replace the valve body for shifting ad the torque converter for the shuddering I get under load


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D
#3 ·
How can I tell if the valve body is worn out? I mean I have taken it off and cleaned (it was very dirty hence why I got the flush) but everything looked ok? I suspected the TC but it doesn't shudder or act like it is engaged and will not come out or vise versa. When it shifts or you can finally start getting it to everything seems to work fine.
 
M
#4 ·
I'm not keen on checking the valve body out for how it can be bad(i just know the symptoms not the cause)but the guys at www.Goerend.com know every tranny for us ram folk. These are well trusted made in America guys. The build granny's for tractor pull, drag or street performance or just normal every day life driving


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D
#5 ·
D
#6 ·
Ok sorry it took so long but here's an update...

I had been testing and inspecting the truck whenever I could. I have tested the TPS sensor (tested good) ran over and over wiring harnesses and cleaning wires/grounds. Heard from some other people to check out the electronics first before going drastic.

Ended up having a fuel issue. Had to replace the transfer pump and when we did we came up with an internal error code for the injection pump...have not changed that out yet.

Could the injection pump not working correctly/not enough fuel pressure cause this shifting problem we are having?
 
M
#7 ·
wowzers! i would certainly hope that you IP is not bad :/ But from my understanding of how our trucks work, the fuel system shouldnt have anything to do with the shifting. But while you where out and about I did some research too and it just so happens to be up your ally. Do a search on here for the word, "SPONGE". There is a guy on here who has a huge novel about it, but the skinny on it is that there is this diode in the alternator that buggs out and causes electrical noise in the wiring system. He talks about how if you just do this that and the other then iitll fix our problems. Search it and read it up, it's a good read. Ill end up doing it if I can ever get my truck to start :/


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J
#8 ·
see bluechip for VP diagnostics. There are alternator tests for ele ctrical interference on this site.
 
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#9 ·
Were the bands adjusted during these repeat repairs????\
If you pull shift into manual low does it take off????
Have you repalced the speed sensor on left rear of tranny? It cheap and easy replace. No diagnois that is accurate on it anyway.
Is the throttle cable adjusted correctlly???? fully forward at closed throttle and no slack.
Where are you getting the governor pressure solenoid????
One reason for repeat GPS failures is internal gear train wear constantlly building in fluid..
 
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D
#11 · (Edited)
1) yes I check band adjustment with every service it gets (especially with what has been going on)
2) takes off fine but still will not shift
3) just wondering but how can the speed sensor tie into this problem? I guess I'm missing something with that?
4) yes I adjusted the throttle cable shortly after this problem started occurring.
5) first set was OEM Mopar parts off eBay and the rest were all bought from a dodge dealership
6) gear train constantly building in fluid? What do you mean?

Thanks dozer :)
 
#12 ·
Fluid doesn't smell burnt or dark? How many threads are sticking out pass the locking nut on the front gear band adjuster? If its near close to even with the locking nut or even a thread sticking out past it I'd say the bands would be wore out.
 
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D
#13 ·
The adjuster is almost at the end of its life...I figured the transmission would be needing a rebuild in the near future but that front band is the kickdown...I'm not a transmission savvy person so what does that do exactly? Would those bands have anything to do with it not wanting to shift out of first?

Still would like to know what is meant by repeated failures of the GPS is constantly building in fluid?
 
W
#14 ·
You do know that you have to manually adjust shift bands in Chrysler transmission right? Just changing the fluid and filter or flushing them is not good enough
 
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#15 ·
I say your tv cable needs to be loosened to allow for sooner shifting why ? cuz you said when you lift throttle it shifts ? that to me sounds like the kickdown needs adjusting
 
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#16 ·
an ez way is I use a wrench or pliars and at the cable bracket near the tranny pan I bend it forward then test drive, quick and ez
 
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