Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2000 Ram 2500 5.9 Diesel 279,000 miles. Overdrive quit working.

[Hoofprnts]

I have a 2000 Ram 2500 4X4 5.0L diesel with 279,000 miles. Jasper replacement transmission installed
when the factory transmission failed at 200,000 miles.

I was coming back from a camping trip and stopped at a stoplight. When I started driving down the
road the truck wouldn't shift into overdrive so I forced to drive at 60 mph all the way home. I have had
the truck to a good transmission shop and he stated the solenoid appears to be working and it must be
something on the truck that keep the solenoid from working. I took it to Dodge dealership because of
that issues and it was idling rough. The dealer diagnosed the problems as a fuel injector pump that was
failing. The injector pump was replaced and the dealership stated that should fix both problems. I was
out of town so I had someone else picked up the truck. When I got back and drove it the overdrive
still was not working. I took the truck up to the dealership again and told them it was not fixed. Their
mechanic hooked up a scan tool and we went for a drive. He stated during the drive that the solenoid is
showing closed but it was not going into overdrive. He told me when they worked on it the overdrive was
working when he tested it. I can't believe that because the truck was drove about 4 miles to my house and
sat for about a week. If it worked before the truck was picked up and should be working now. The dealership
took the overdrive shift solenoid out and said it was installed with silicone and some pieces could have went
into the valve body and wanted to replaced the whole valve body at over $1000. I took my truck back and
said I would go somewhere else. They were throwing parts at it.

Now I am not sure what to do. The transmission place says the transmission is good and the dealership is
saying the transmission is causing the problem. I need to get the no overdrive issue fixed before the end of
next week. Anyone got any suggestions on what causing the problem or know someone around the St.Louis,
Mo area that is good with Dodge Diesels and transmission.

 

[Timd32]

Since it worked for 79,000 miles, you stop and then no OD should be a big clue and maybe someone will think of something to check.

Mine has a similar issue, worked fine driving to work parked it, went to lunch and no OD. but is a 96 so might be different but is a 47RE. Seems to be wiring related or TPS, the more I dig into it the more I know my unit needs to be rebuilt, the amount of debris in the pan clutches are shot in mine for sure. But still run it for now. Pulled 8 loads of hay this week, not using OD with the hay wagons any time soon.

There are many threads on the OD for the 47RE, many mention measure pressures and scan tool to compare results, bad output shaft sensor, pressure transducer, bad grounds, miss adjusted TV cables, TPS voltage here are a few I saved from my searches. One day I will dig thru my service manual and get mine working if I don't just pull it and rebuilt it first. If the 96 is drastically different apologize for sure if any of the above is off base or all together incorrect.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/257066-Shift-problems-with-47re?p=2491578#post2491578

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/238028-Overdrive-not-working?p=2300256#post2300256

 

[Hoofprnts]

Timd32,

Thanks for the link and advice. I wil have to some research and check on voltages.
May even look at a mystery switch if I can get it to work for a few months.

 

[Hoofprnts]

Does anyone know how to install a switch so I can make the overdrive work manually? It would help me diagnose the overdrive not working. If it works manually then it has to be something on the engine causing the problem.

Is that what is called a mystery switch?

 

[Timd32]

Credit Joe Mc for the post.

Link in post still works.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/209761-Mystery-switch?p=2023928#post2023928