Auto Trans down shift troubles

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I have a 97 Ram 4X4 3500 with 80K miles and an Automatic transmission. My problem is the trans does not want to down shift when I slow down. This problem is most apparent when slowing enough to require 1st gear. The truck must come to near a complete stop before it will drop down to 1st. I read in the maintenance manual there is a (Front Kickdown Band) adjustment. The manual states to tighten it to 75 Inch pounds and then back it out 2 7/8 turns. When I spoke with my local service center, they said it was normal. The truck does this to allow the trubo time to spool up before putting a load on it. I thought that was the hole benefit of the monster torque from the cummins. Is this true, If so am I doomed to driving my Auto truck from the column forcing it to shift down. P. S. This is my first post. I am a new member!

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Jeff Brosseau. 97 3500 4X4. Auto Trans

 

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Welcome aboard Jeff,

If it does everything else ok, you might try adjusting the kick down cable. It may be too tight. It's kind of a PITA to do the first time. The adjustment is near the throttle linkage assembly (where the three cables end). It's has a pointed cable housing that comes out of a block of plastic. The plastic has a bulge on one side and it's flat on the other. The flat place is the cable housing release button and the bulge seems to be a spring housing. It's a LOT easier to do if you use a 1 1/2" C-clamp to press and hold the button. The stock adjustment is so that if the cable is disconnected from the knob on the throttle lever it will line up with it. You might want to play around with it a little and see how that affects the problem. The service manual will have pictures and more details.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Archive]

Welcome Jeff, I know where you're coming from! My auto would do the same thing and I was told this was normal operation. I was told that the trans is set-up with a fairly quick 1-2 upshift so it doesn't hunt back and forth in stop-and-go traffic. But it really sucks when you're going about 2mph and have to mash it to the floor or manually downshift it to get it in first gear. #ad
#ad


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'98 4x4 12V QCab Auto (ready to BOMB)Traded-in '01 ETH/DEE on order

 

[Archive]

#ad


You can adjust your light throttle shift point on the vb

1)remove pan and drain oil

2)with a 3/16 allen wrench, turn in the set screw clockwise approx 3-4 turns, this will help delay upshifts under light throttle plus
it will also force a slightly quicker downshift under light throttle. Messy job, buy easy to do.
PS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE VB.
Bill
Diesel Transmission Technology



[This message has been edited by Bill Kondolay (edited 11-21-2000). ]

[This message has been edited by Bill Kondolay (edited 11-21-2000). ]