98.5 Dodge Ram Transmission Issues

[David Deitz]

I have a 98.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel 115k miles, with transmission problems. At speeds below 40 mph the transmission seems to shift just fine from 1st, 2nd and 3rd, over 40 it gets interesting. Between 40 and 45 it will begin to hunt for the next gear and will not shift. At the same time the the tach is bouncing from 1500 to 4000 rpm’s. If and when it does shift into overdrive and I reach 55 mph the tack only moves a little.


While searching the web and this is what I have done try and correct the issue, cleaned the battery terminal, scraped and brushed the ground wires (both batteries, alternator, and one that was located on the front driver side behind the bumper). I also have installed the BD Noise Isolator wire to the ECM. There has been talk about replacing a couple sensors on the transmission. I have located two on the drivers side of the transmission, one is towards the rear and the other is about in the middle.


I am at a loss on what to do next. Replacing the transmission is the last item on the to do list.


TIA David

 

[Ozymandias]

Change the transmission speed sensor in the overdrive housing, it is often the problem and cheap. There is no oil coming out of this while exchanging.
That's the cheapest part to start with.

 

[David Deitz]

Well the saga continues. No change after replacing the Transmission Speed Sensor.

There are two sensors on the driver side of the transmission. I changed out the one towards the back and NAPA calls it Transmission Output Sensor.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Sounds more like the infamous TC Lock/Unlock issue that was so prevalent in the early 2nd Gens'. I tried everything on my '99 and the only thing that solved the problem was the Suncoast re-wire. You also need to check the alternator which is a contributor to the same. Here's a pic' of the suncoast fix. Good luck.

 

[JKellis]

Try replacing the brushes in the alternator. Cheap and easy fix.

 

[Ozymandias]

Well the saga continues. No change after replacing the Transmission Speed Sensor.

There are two sensors on the driver side of the transmission. I changed out the one towards the back and NAPA calls it Transmission Output Sensor.

There is no other sensor on the outside of the transmission then the one you exchanged.