Governor Solenoid/Replace myself or schedule appt.?

[GardnerM]

Hi all. My 2003 3500 with 318K shifts like a top except going into OD you have to wait until it hits at least 50mph and I like to lope along. The problem is I plow comercially with an 8. 5 ft Western plow and when its slick I am forced to stay in 1st 2nd most of the time because it won`t shift up till we hit open road dry pavement and wind on into 50 plus mph. Would installing a new Gov. solenoid myself be all that bad. Ive read many many posts about new ones installed but nothing about where its (solenoid)located ,accesability... . Its like all these posts are taking it in to a shop. We do alot of our own work to save the money during slow times as we are self employed. Any help much appreciated.

 

[DBraunig]

If you can change the fluid and filter, you can change the governor solenoid. Your looking at it when you drop the pan, and you don't have to remove the v/b to change the solenoid. It's really easy. #2 in the pic is the solenoid. Remove two v/b bolts and two torx screws (t25) and then the retainer will come loose. Disconnect the wires and the solenoid will pull out.



Dave

 

[cerberusiam]

Hi all. My 2003 3500 with 318K shifts like a top except going into OD you have to wait until it hits at least 50mph and I like to lope along. The problem is I plow comercially with an 8. 5 ft Western plow and when its slick I am forced to stay in 1st 2nd most of the time because it won`t shift up till we hit open road dry pavement and wind on into 50 plus mph. Would installing a new Gov. solenoid myself be all that bad. Ive read many many posts about new ones installed but nothing about where its (solenoid)located ,accesability... . Its like all these posts are taking it in to a shop. We do alot of our own work to save the money during slow times as we are self employed. Any help much appreciated.

You can try it but I doubt it will help. About the only effect a bad gov sensor\solenoid has is loss of OD. The OD is computer controlled and 50 mph is about right to shift into OD on your truck. Less mph than that and the rpm's aren't high enough to create enough pressure to hold the clutches under power. They will sip and wear faster.



I don't understand the comment about 1st and 2nd. You have an OD lockout that will give you drive and and that is too fast for plowing anyway. I would hope you are not talking about plowing in OD.

 

[GardnerM]

Thank you kindly! It don`t look bad. I`ll order one for I think its $42. and turn on the kerosene heater. Thats what i needed and had no Idea where it would be. We`ve been through hell with all this ice/snow, snow/ice... round the clock. Now hopefully the customers pay up. So far so good.

 

[GardnerM]

No it just doesn`t ever get out of 1st or 2nd until up over 45 it finally (if I back off throttle and RPMs) hits 3rd. and OD doesn`t come (even if I mash it) till right at 50. Point is I`m in low and 2nd the whole time out plowing . Now if I hook up the gooseneck and head out loaded it will miss 3rd and jump to OD at 50 ,once again, if you back off the RPMs. It pushes snow and does perfect as long as ... . but theres a lot of 45 mph zones in between jobs we are just never ever out of 2nd no matter how much I back off throttle.

 

[sag2]

Before dropping the pan check the throttle kick down cable adjustment. It would most likely cause all late shifts, but is very easy to check first.

 

[cerberusiam]

No it just doesn`t ever get out of 1st or 2nd until up over 45 it finally (if I back off throttle and RPMs) hits 3rd. and OD doesn`t come (even if I mash it) till right at 50. Point is I`m in low and 2nd the whole time out plowing . Now if I hook up the gooseneck and head out loaded it will miss 3rd and jump to OD at 50 ,once again, if you back off the RPMs. It pushes snow and does perfect as long as ... . but theres a lot of 45 mph zones in between jobs we are just never ever out of 2nd no matter how much I back off throttle.

Ahhh, now it makes sense. You do have a problem there that could be the solenoid\sensor or a cable adjustment. Good luck.

 

[GardnerM]

First got the truck ,I snugged uo the TV cable (it was at least 1/8th play but that still wouldn`t get her to shift up with load. Seldom catches third before jumping on up to OD right at 50 unless you really feather back on the acceleration,then right at 45 it will shift to third. All shifting is smooth by the way. Need to hop in with someone who owns one to see how theirs shifts. Other than that the truck is a workhorse with an 8. 5 pro-plus Western.