Archived Shifting really hard to 3rd and 4th

[SHull]

I have had this problem with my transmission (47RE) for over 2 years. It will shift from 1st to 2nd no problems but from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th it's extremly hard almost like the truck cuts out for a split second while it shifts. And it will only do this at shifting time. If you let off the gas a little before you know it is going to shift it is fine and doesn't hit. All of this is normal driving when rpms are 1600 to maybe 1800. Thinking that it might be the torque converter problem everyone has had I have done the following. Noise filter, cleaned grounds, new batteries, seperated the apps wires from the loom to the ecm, grounded the apps to the battery, done the apps resetting to many times to count. Also it only happens when the OD is on. Any advise would be great. It is all stock except for a Fass 95 supply pump. Thanks



02 Ext cab

 

[JLandry]

SHull,



If it were my truck doing this I think I'd start by replacing the Transmission Output Speed Sensor. It's located on the transmission tail housing and is inexpensive. The PCM uses the signal from this sensor to regulate transmission shift points.



If that didn't help, I'd next replace both the Governor Pressure Solenoid Valve and the Governor Pressure Sensor. They're relatively easy to replace... just drop the pan, remove the filter, remove the Governor Pressure Solenoid Valve retainer, and remove both the Solenoid and the Sensor.



Good luck,



John L.

 

[SHull]

I had the Governor Pressure Solenoid and Gov Pressure Sensor replaced about 25000 miles ago when the transmission went into Limp mode. I replaced to transmission output sensor this afternoon and it is still doing the same thing. It feels like I have a shift kit installed when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th. the faster you accelerate the harder it hits. I have heard some about a lockup solenoid could that be a cause?

 

[JLandry]

I had the Governor Pressure Solenoid and Gov Pressure Sensor replaced about 25000 miles ago when the transmission went into Limp mode. I replaced to transmission output sensor this afternoon and it is still doing the same thing. It feels like I have a shift kit installed when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th. the faster you accelerate the harder it hits. I have heard some about a lockup solenoid could that be a cause?

SHull,



Many questions:



Can you tell us more about this "limp mode" thing which happened?



Who did the work on your transmission when you had the Solenoid and Sensor replaced?



What else was done at that time (to either the truck or the transmission)?



In your original post you said you've been experience harsh gear engagement for 2 years. How many miles has that been?



Did the harsh engagement begin suddenly or gradually?



Is it getting worse or staying the same?



Can you tie in the beginning of the harsh engagement to anything else that happened?



Regards,



John L.

 

[SHull]

When the truck went into Limp mode. It was starting off from a dead stop in 2nd gear thats when I took it to the transmission shop. They installed a new gov pressure solenoid and gov pressure sensor and that was taken care of. That was at about 75000 miles has 102000 now. I haven't had a problem with that since. There was nothing else done to the truck or transmission at that time other than those two items being replaced. In fact that is the only time I have the truck in the shop for anything still to this day. Maybe it wasn't two years that I ve had this problem it is hard to remember. I don't recall it doing this when I bought it at 66000 miles 2 1/2 years ago maybe more like a 1 1/2 years. It gradually started to happen and started getting worse with time but it as been about the same for the past 12 months. But now since I had put new batteries in 2 weeks ago it won't do it with the OD off. Before hand it would reguardless with OD on or off. One more thing I forgot to mention today on my way home from work ( it has done this in the past to) it was in 3rd gear normal driving 1600 or 1700 rpm it feels like it shifted smoothly rpms dropped about 200 then right back up to where it was before, 3 sec go by the cut out or hickup happened and it didn't shift to 4th until 1 or 2 sec after that hickup. If it does it's hickup before it shifts it will shift smoothly but it would sometimes do this when it is shifting and feels like it is shifting hard. It varys depending on how much throttle. Once it hickups it won't do it again until you drop below 35 mpr or so. (1200 rpm or below in 3rd gear) Sorry that was a important part I didn't mention before. It is a strange thing it feels like the transmission just unlocks for a second then it's fine after that. I hope I have anwsered all your ?'s. Thank you for taking the time to try to help with this.



02 Ext cab

 

[JLandry]

Just so you know where I'm coming from, I'm the type of guy that tries to fix things myself even if it's probably way easier to take it to someone who's equipped to do it far faster and easier than I am. I say this because I'm sure a good transmission shop could quickly diagnose this problem and fix you right up. But that's no fun... if you're like me, you'll be crawling under the truck soon getting transmission fluid all over you.

OK, according to the Dodge Service Manual harsh, delayed, or erratic shifting can be caused by (among other things) the front band being misadjusted or a "clutch or servo failure. "

The Service Manual calls for draining and refilling the transmission fluid and adjusting both the front and rear bands every 30,000 miles for regular service, or 15,000 miles when frequently towing. You didn't mention ever having the bands adjusted so I'm wondering if this could be the cause?

If it were my truck, at this point I think I'd be tempted to change the fluid and filter, replace the governor solenoid (yes... again!), replace the governor pressure sensor (yes... again!), replace the overdrive and lockup solenoid, and adjust the bands. The reason I suggest replacing all those parts at once is because I personally *hate* having to drop the pan on my transmission (such a mess) so I'd want to do it as few times as possible.

If that didn't cure the issue, then I'd dig deeper following the tests outlined in the service manual... or just take it to a good transmission shop.

A good low-cost place to buy parts is Transmission Parts USA.

Governor Solenoid - $49. 96

Pressure Sensor - $48. 09

Overdrive and Lockup Solenoid - $58. 72

Good luck,

John L.

 

[SHull]

When I had the gov solenoid, gov pressure sensor I asked if they adjusted the bands and he said yes but who really knows if they did or didn't. Ok thanks for the advise I will replace those 3 things next and see what happens. Oh one more thing are all three of these on the valve body or does that have to be removed. Again thanks for your help. Scott





02 Ext cab

 

[JLandry]

Scott,



The three items mentioned are easily replaced once you remove the transmission filter... there's no need to remove the valve body.



Rather than me try to explain what to do, send me a private message with your email address and I'll email you back all the relevant pages from the Dodge Service Manual for replacing these items and adjusting the bands.



Best regards,



John L.