Attention: TDR Forum Junkies New member with a problem and I am sure some of you old timers are thinking, “Not this AGAIN!”
Basic info: 98. 5 (built 2/98) 2500 two-wheel drive with automatic 3. 55 axle , 99,600 on the odometer. Purchased used 01/03 with 62,000 on the odometer. I installed Amsoil in transmission and differential Shortly after purchase. Everything is completely stock. It has been a good truck for us--have only had to replace the fuel tank sender assembly. Previous owner pulled a 28’ fifth wheel and we pull a 30’ fifth wheel. Both of our useages are about 60% with trailer and 40% solo. When pulling I set cruise at 57-58 and do run a lot of overdrive in midwest driving.
Problem #1: You guessed it! Automatic transmission. On a recent trailer trip from central Kansas to NE Iowa running cruise, the RPM would suddenly increase 100-150 RPM for about 10 seconds and then go back to normal. The condition seemed worse when the unit was cold and would sometimes do this 5-6 times per mile. I think this was the lock-up clutch engaging and disengaging..... correct?
After returning solo from this trip I found one of the new 02/05 batteries was bad. Also, I borrowed some back issues of TDR from a friend and gleaned enough info to clean all of the battery ground connections and recalibrate the throttle position sensor. Problem solved, everything worked fine! At the same time I installed a catch bottle on the crank case vent tube and power washed the mess from the under side of the vehicle which may be the source of my current problem.
Problem #2: very recently we made a solo trip from central Kansas to NE Texas and the truck ran flawlessly on the way down. However, on the way back the transmission began to do funny things again, but different this time.
Now, at 45-55--about the point where it is shifting from third to fourth--the engine surges 100-300 RPM. This is on moderate acceleration. On harder acceleration it is not as pronounced. I believe the converter is not locking up most of time--observed from RPM/MPH and when the vehicle goes up a slight grade in cruise, the engine RPM goes up not down as normal. Do I have a mechanical or electrical problem?
My local dealer is not real large but tries hard. Again, from gleaning back issues, I wondered about a re-flash of the PCM as per TSB 18-02-99 but when I took my Ram to the dealership yesterday “the man in the know” was off to a school so I’m going back Monday. H. . E. . L. . P. . !!!
Basic info: 98. 5 (built 2/98) 2500 two-wheel drive with automatic 3. 55 axle , 99,600 on the odometer. Purchased used 01/03 with 62,000 on the odometer. I installed Amsoil in transmission and differential Shortly after purchase. Everything is completely stock. It has been a good truck for us--have only had to replace the fuel tank sender assembly. Previous owner pulled a 28’ fifth wheel and we pull a 30’ fifth wheel. Both of our useages are about 60% with trailer and 40% solo. When pulling I set cruise at 57-58 and do run a lot of overdrive in midwest driving.
Problem #1: You guessed it! Automatic transmission. On a recent trailer trip from central Kansas to NE Iowa running cruise, the RPM would suddenly increase 100-150 RPM for about 10 seconds and then go back to normal. The condition seemed worse when the unit was cold and would sometimes do this 5-6 times per mile. I think this was the lock-up clutch engaging and disengaging..... correct?
After returning solo from this trip I found one of the new 02/05 batteries was bad. Also, I borrowed some back issues of TDR from a friend and gleaned enough info to clean all of the battery ground connections and recalibrate the throttle position sensor. Problem solved, everything worked fine! At the same time I installed a catch bottle on the crank case vent tube and power washed the mess from the under side of the vehicle which may be the source of my current problem.
Problem #2: very recently we made a solo trip from central Kansas to NE Texas and the truck ran flawlessly on the way down. However, on the way back the transmission began to do funny things again, but different this time.
Now, at 45-55--about the point where it is shifting from third to fourth--the engine surges 100-300 RPM. This is on moderate acceleration. On harder acceleration it is not as pronounced. I believe the converter is not locking up most of time--observed from RPM/MPH and when the vehicle goes up a slight grade in cruise, the engine RPM goes up not down as normal. Do I have a mechanical or electrical problem?
My local dealer is not real large but tries hard. Again, from gleaning back issues, I wondered about a re-flash of the PCM as per TSB 18-02-99 but when I took my Ram to the dealership yesterday “the man in the know” was off to a school so I’m going back Monday. H. . E. . L. . P. . !!!
