Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) HELP ME!! transmission & Dealership Problems

[biggy238]

I Took my 96 2500 in this morning to have recalls done:



Throttle linkage assembly And and ignition wiring problem.



They brought my truck out 3 hours late because I also asked that they recalibrate my speedometer. They couldn't do it because it was a '95 build 1996 year model truck. It took them 3 hours to figure that out!



The truck won't Lock the torque converter and won't shift into overdrive. I drove it 30 miles home in 3rd unlocked cranking 2200rpm at 55 to get home. I had already taken it back twice today because of the same thing. Each time they said it was fixed. I had driven 5 miles in heavy traffic with no way to move fast enough to get it to shift. I cleared the edge of town and got up some speed and the truck never locked up or shifted. I tried shutting it off in some intersections to see if that would reset something and it didn't help. When I got home the transmission relay was so hot I couldn't pull it out of the fuse panel under the hood.





What in God's name have they done to my truck??? Nothing they did should have bothered my transmission.

They want it back on monday but they already have admitted they have no clue. And that also means I have to miss work.



Please help me!!!

 

[biggy238]

30 people have read this and no-one knows whats going on?

 

[bmoeller]

They maybe could've messed something up while attempting to figure out the speedo recal.



Could also have something to do with the linkage replacement. I would check to see if the throttle cable that goes to the transmission is hooked up or adjusted properly, or if the throttle linkage is adjusted properly. It could affect the shift points. Maybe the throttle position sensor (TPS) is out of adjustment.



HTH.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I'm not an expert on the auto's, since I don't have one, but if they messed with the ignition switch wiring, they may have either not connected something up they were supposed to between the ignition switch and trans relay, or they have something going to the trans relay grounded, which is preventing the lockup. Just a WAG, but I would have them start looking at wiring diagrams, and tracing wires. The diagrams are in the factory service manual. (I'm looking at them). I would also suspect the transmission relay is shot, if it got that hot.



Jim

 

[Chipstien]

There are two things that I personally know of that can cause no lock-up. One is the OD seleniod going out and the other is a clip on the top side of the VB that breaks and allows a valve of some sort to pop out. The best thing to do is to ground the lock-up wire from the PCM by means of a mystery switch and see if it works. If it locks then it is the wiring... good luck. If it doesn't lock up then it is in the trans so you will have to remove the pan. At this point you can test the OD seleniod with a multi-tester. You will need to call Bill at DTT and get the impedance range. If it falls in this range then it might be that clip on the VB. If you have the know-how you could remove the VB and you will most likely see the pieces resting on top of the VB when you drop it... . dont lose these.



Odds are it is the seleniod and you can get these for about 30 bucks from DTT. Certainly call DTT first and see what they say.

 

[BigPapa]

Make sure the TPS is plugged up. I don't think there is any adjustment to it. I just installed a new one and had to have the PCM reset. Basically, they just reset it to zero when the throttle is at rest. If they unplugged the PCM it may need it.



There are also a couple of plugs on the tail end of the transmission. Make sure they're plugged up.



Beyond these two ideas, you'll have to talk to somone with more experience.



Scott

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by BigPapa

I don't think there is any adjustment to it.

Yes and no.



http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/transmission/automatic/TPS_adjust.htm

Originally posted by Chipstien

... . and the other is a clip on the top side of the VB that breaks and allows a valve of some sort to pop out.

The 47RE has a governor pressure sensor that is held by a clip.

 

[BigPapa]

The only adjustment to the TPS is this:



Posted to a TPS thread on the TDRoundtable by Bill Kondolay (Bill is one the true transmission experts out there):

Note: I did some minor editing to put it into the context of this web page - Dave.



Before anyone follows advice on how to adjust the TPS keep in mind that every action has a reaction. You can adjust the TPS voltage to pretty much what ever you want without following Chryslers procedures. Before starting, always record your original idle voltage; you must have a baseline to start from.

Make adjustments in small increments. First remove the TPS, knock out the 2 steel sleeves, with a small file oblong the holes, and install the tps sensor. Always start with the original voltage you had; as you increase your voltage your OD and TCC lock up will start to come in later and later. The down side of doing this is that when you slow down or if you remove your foot from the throttle, the TCC will not unlock unless you step on the brake pedal or your vehicle speed drops below a certain setting.



I don't imagine the dealer did this "adjustment".

 

[biggy238]

Found it. I think...

I found it. It's the tps. I sat around for about 8 hours while I cooled down along with the temp outside and checked the TPS sensor. I was pretty sure that was it but I consulted my hayes manual and it pretty specifically says the bad tps knocks out the 3-4 and 4-3 shift and the lockup. Checked it and I have a base voltage of . 5 and when I removed the tps to check the varied voltage



LOW AND BEHOLD



It doesn't have part of the internals. No retainer ring and no return spring. It would be hard to tell what else is wrong but it doesn't vary the voltage any more.



I hope that kills this issue. I'm telling them I need a job at the dealership.



I checked the relay. . (thats what got me outside at 11pm) because I figured they killed my transmission with this stunt and it still clicks nice and cleanly. I was going to wait until they supply me with a tps to see if that little relay still has any points. .



Thank you guys for the help. God knows I need it.



While I'm here, What is the the other connecter in that harness connected too? It, the TPS and the oil pressure sensor are in the same harness and the connector is burnt. I think it's the starter solenoid connection but I couldn't see (too dark). Sorry I type so much. My english teachers would be so proud...

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by BigPapa



I don't imagine the dealer did this "adjustment".

I only mentioned it because they were messing around in that area with throttle linkage. Anything is possible. Stranger things have happened. Just threw that possiblity out there, "just in case".

 

[Cooker]

Sorry I did not see this sooner.



I had the exact same thing happen when the dealer did my throttle cable recall. The TPS broke in the same fashion. The really neat thing about my situation is after I left their lot and got far enough down the road to realize that the transmission was not shifting properly it suddenly became my responsibility. I was back at the dealership within 10 minutes of leaving the first time telling them of the problem I was having. The come out with a scantool and realize the TPS voltage is incorrect and proceed to pull the TPS and see that it is busted internally, like yours. They tried to charge me full retail for a replacement TPS, at least the were nice enough to sell it to me at wholesale So my free recall ended up costing me like $130 or something like that because they broke a part while it was there. It would have been nice if they road tested it first but they still would have charged me for the TPS. Can you tell I am still ****** off about the incident



On a side note, I don't know what the hell they are talking about not being able to adjust your speedo. There is a gear on the transfercase that can be changed for speedo calibration.



Best of luck with getting them to pay for the TPS.

 

[biggy238]

Cooker,

I think i'm screwed on the tps. I think maybe I can stick it back on there and say hey look I found this in my repair manual because they seem to be pretty cool to me.



The pitiful thing is that they did road test mine. I just don't thinkk they have much experience with diesels and theirs shift points to know that it was wrong.

 

[biggy238]

Oh yeah. With the speedo. Re-gearing and cali-boxing it were going to be more expensive than them changing the prom for rpm.



I can do either of the other mods but i wanted it done in the PCM.



That by itself was no big deal. Just that it took them 3 hours to figure out that i had an early prom computer, which i figured out by reading the TST mystery switch instructions.

 

[redram]

Glad to hear that you've found your problem but I have one question?

Why are these recalls being done on an 8 year old truck? Where have you been (or the truck been) that these were not taken care of earlier?



I have a 96 (built July of 95) purchased Sep of 95 and had problems with the throttle back in 96. A TSB was issued and finally 5 years later a recall. But the headlight relay has been around for 6 years as well as the vacuum check relays (to prevent oil from contaminating the A/C vent controls).



Just curious why this became an issue that after almost 9 years.



Cheers,

 

[biggy238]

Ah, Texas

The truck had it's windows tinted in Kileen or Killen Tx. It came to Ky. in fall of last year and I purchased it in December. I can find out the who, where, and why of it but I suppose they just never messed with the recalls. It's also had a fifth wheel hitch and air bags which have been removed, and still has what everyone in Ky. calls "Texas Bumpers"- why I bought the truckamong other things.



The recalls became an issue when I saw the advice to other owners to have recalls checked when they joined TDR. I looked mine over after finding that the recalls hadn't been done, and the linkage looked worn and loose.

 

[biggy238]

It's Definately TPS

I put the TPS back on with it Zeroed and drove the truck. It shifted. I shut the truck off, talked to some friends and left only to find that it didn't shift. I pulled the sensor to find that the TPS was about half way through it's range of motion with to way to return to home. I reset it so that I can have highway speed tomorrow on the way to the dealer. I hope it goes well. .



I put that up in case someone else has problems that are similar.

 

[Bseg]

I guess I'm guilty of holding off on a recall too. I received the recall last year for for my 97 throttle linkage to be replaced and haven't taken it in yet. I don't trust the dealer putting air in my tires let alone trying to replace that linkage.

 

[biggy238]

Well,

The only thing I can say to that is that I love the new smooth and firm feel my pedal has now. And whatever they did firmed up the trans somehow.



They put on a new TPS on free of charge this morning. I think maybe it was a thank you gesture because I didn't go off on them and found the problem myself. At any rate they redeemed themselves in my eyes



You might like the way the new throttle feels if you can find someone who's work you trust.

 

[Bseg]

That's great that they took care of you. It's nice to know that some of the dealers care about their customers.



Glad to hear it worked out. If I ever find a dealer that I feel comfortable with working on my truck I will see about getting mine changed.

 

[Cooker]

I guess there are a few dealers out there who are still good hearted and not trying to gouge you for every cent. I wish I would have gotten that lucky.



The real kicker in my case is the dealer is a TDR member and post on here occassionally