Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) HELP!!! Torque Converter Malfunction

[BSnyder]

Can anyone tell me why my torque converter on my 99 Ram is continuously shifting in and out of lock-up. Last Tuesday on my way home from our camper aprox. 125 mi. trip the torque converter unlocked and re-locked twice abnormally when it should not have. Since then it became much worse. It now locks and unlocks on flat roads aprox. every 45-60 seconds or so when in O. D. and if I keep it in Drive it still does it but not as much until I reach 50-55 MPH then seldom or not at all. I have a power steering front seal leaking and was told to use Lucas power steering stop leak which not worked so it still is leaking and my cruise control is acting wacky! When you attempt to set your speed it immediately accelerates 15-20 MPH above the set speed or more and won't disengage with the set button so to stop this acceleration you must either shut the cruise off or depress the brake pedal. The reason I included all this information is to determine if any of this could be related in any way with the vacuum pump next to the power steering pump and the speed controller being vacuum operated etc. My truck is stock and has not been abused and I only tow moderate weight 4000-5000# occasionally and very short distance. I have approximately 87000 mi. on this vehicle and just serviced the transmission at 50000 mi. Does anyone have any ideas what may be going on or where to start????? Thanks, Brad All ideas will be helpful! I need a starting point. My guess is the cruise control vac. diaphragm or vacuum leak somewhere?

 

[jrandol]

I cant remember the name of the sensor I had replaced in my truck for the same symptoms. I am sure someone on here will know. I had mine done at the dealer, I will go home tonight and try and find the service record. Once I had this fixed all the same symptoms you are describing went away.



Jeff

 

[Tom W]

This is a common ptoblem caused by electrical noise spikes. Search for Erratic locking - unlocking - another fix, many other posts on this problem. Many things fix it temporairly - most easy - clean the battery posts. I am waiting for a box the might be the cureall - stay tuned for results.



Tom

 

[TowPro]

I have read here about bad (weak) batteries causing this lockup problem.



I think one of the other things I have heard cause this problem is the Throttle Positon Sensor?



Now for the cruse control, my 98 did the same thing, they replaced the servo 2 times but it would come back after while. Turned out there was a PCM reflash that took care of the problem. Well sort of took care of the problem, It would still stay within 3mph of where you set it.

 

[98rammer]

try doing the apps reset (accelerator pedal position sensor). disconnect your batteries. leave your truckalone for at least 30mins. then reconnect your batteries. turn the key to the "on" position. push the throttle pedal to the floor and back. then run the truck as normal.



those are the right directions i'm pretty sure, but it's been a while since i've talked about it.



otherwise you may want to get a reflash from the dealer (search around for reflashes to this problem).



Tom

 

[pwr2tow]

There is a reflash you get from the dealer so the truck is not so sensitive to electrical noises or pulses. I am almost positive this will take care of your problems, do not remember the TSB for this service, you could go to TSB's at the top of this page and look under 1999-2001 models under engine or transmission but I think it was a reflash for the 2000 models. This will work for any previous model year.



Also on setting the APPS it is disconnect battery for 30 seconds or longer as described above but when you reconnect batteries turn the key on and slowly depress accelerator pedal then slowly release it, do this three times then turn ignition off then restart as normal. I doubt this is your problem but it never hurts to reset the APPS especially if you have ever disconnected your batteries for any other reason.



Ron

 

[Pat@BD]

The Chrysler reflash number for Erratic Torque Converter Clutch operation is 18-02-99. This will most likely fix it up for you.