Trans Trouble, need assistance First gear slipping

[JohnDodge]

2003 Dodge Ram HO with an automatic

Mods include Edge Juice w/Attitude, Banks Ram Air filter system, Edge boost elbow

156,000 miles



This happened last night:

It slips horribly in first gear. I drove it to an event (which it drove fine to) and parked it on the street for 2 hours. When I got back, I started it, threw it in gear, stepped on the throttle gently and very little response. I poured on the fuel and it started to move and once it seemed to get out of first it drove somewhat normally. It seems to be fine in reverse. I checked the fluid level and its fine, no major leaks occurring, and the fluid doesn't seem to have a major burnt smell to it. If it was burned bad I would think it would smell awful but it didn't.





The following happened this evening.



I decided to go start it and try to climb a standard parking lot curb and I poured a lot of throttle into it and it didn't want to go. I shut it off and came back in 30 minutes or so and backed it out of its parking space and tried moving it forward. It seemed to have lost some of its slipping problem. I pointed it back in and tried climbing the curb again and while it didn't jump right up it had noticeably improved.



I drove it out of the parking lot and got on it for half mile and it seemed to get some of its performance back. I turned it around and tried building a few pounds of boost and let out the brake and it took right off.



I still don't think it is up to par from before the incident but I am not sure. What could cause this to happen so quickly and then so quickly repair itself? Do I have a valve stuck or junk in the trans causing issues?



The truck still builds plenty of boost, the engine oil level is not rising or falling abnormally. There are no check engine lights. On a side note, the turbo appears to have a little slop but I would think that is normal with the mileage.





Any thoughts? Is it the transmission? What should I be looking for or testing for?





I did find out a Goerend with some upgrades is still cheaper than buying a rebuilt from Dodge direct.

 

[cerberusiam]

Sounds a lot like it was starting in drive instead of 1st gear, then shutting it off and playing with it fixed it.



The first thing to do with intermittent stuff like that is change the governor pressure solenoid and transducer. They are the standard culprit with symptoms like this.



When it does this again, manually pull it down into 1st gear and see if that helps. A lot of times just putting back into park and\or shutting the tuck off and starting it again solves the problem temporarily.

 

[JLandry]

Also check for stored trouble codes. Transmission codes don't usually cause the MIL (check engine light) to illuminate.



John L.

 

[JohnDodge]

Thanks, I will check those out. I really would hate to buy a trans and find out I didn't have to.

 

[JohnDodge]

Would the governor pressure solenoid and transducer have anything to do with the following issue I just remembered?


The other day I stepped on it at around 40 and the truck downshifted and the engine just revved out and wasn't really gaining much speed until it upshifted.





Thanks

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes, it is one of the symptoms that could be caused by the gov solenoid.

 

[JohnDodge]

i went to o'reillys to code read.

It didnt have any codes.

Should I go for the governor solenoid and hope for the best?

 

[cerberusiam]

If you haven't ever replaced them, yes. While your at it, checking the front band setting is a good idea also to know if it is going to be a problem.



You can buy the solenoid and transducer online here a lot cheaper than a dealer. A500 42RE A618 46RE 47RE 48RE Transmission governor pressure sensor 56028196AD,Transmission solenoids

 

[JohnDodge]

Alright, I will replace both. Aside from a filter change and a band adjustment, anything else I should change or check on?

 

[cerberusiam]

That should give you a good baseline to work from. Do too many changes at once and it will just cover up a potential problem.



Do those things then drive it and see how it works.

 

[JohnDodge]

Thanks for the GREAT advice. The transmission is shifting GREAT after a band adjustment and new solenoid and sensor. The front band has no adjustment left but I hope it will run me another 20-30K miles before I have to put in a transmission.

I will have to subscribe because you guys saved me a TON of cash. Thanks again.

 

[cerberusiam]

I will have to subscribe because you guys saved me a TON of cash. Thanks again.

For the amount of knowledge here. the subscription amount can NOT be beat. Along with that you get the magazine and great articles on how-to and what-if. Best deal around.



Glad you got it fixed.

 

[JohnDodge]

Another question, There was a significant amount of tiny metal filings on the magnet. That I assume is normal, however when I cut apart the filter and opened the fold there were larger slivers of steel in the filter. There were not that many but it still makes me wonder if that is normal.


So is the larger metal filings normal or is this transmission on its way out soon? (Aside from the fact there is only a sliver of a thread sticking out of the jam nut on the front band)

 

[cerberusiam]

If your under 3 threads on the adjuster screw sticking out of the locknut its worn.



Were those sliver steel or aluminum? It also depends if this was the first filter change. Small filings on the magnet is normal, the stock steels make a lot of metal. Excessive pieces of aluminum or steel or brass on a frequent basis means a problem. It really depends on how often the trans is serviced.

 

[JohnDodge]

I don't think this transmission has ever been serviced. I am the first one to touch it at 156,000 miles. Its pretty sad when someone will spend that much money and neglect it like that. The filings I found were steel and there was a pretty good buildup on the magnet but that is normal.

I have about half a thread sticking through the lock nut. I am going to drive her real easy until it goes and then in goes the Goerend. What does the front band control again?

 

[MChrist]

When you get the Goerend trans installed, you'll be shocked that it's the same truck!! It'll drive the way it should, and WAY better than new! Best money I've spent so far! (and I've spent a lot... )

 

[cerberusiam]

Front band is 2nd gear. If it had never been serviceed the metal is probably normal. The trans will shed a little when new. The stock steels are soft and tend to make metal because they are so soft. Thats one reason why its recommended to change fluid every 30k or once per year.

 

[JohnDodge]

It seems to lock into second pretty good. I will keep in mind not to rod on it on the 1-2 shift. I hope it lasts me another 15-20k miles.

 

[AABEN]

I don't think this transmission has ever been serviced. I am the first one to touch it at 156,000 miles. Its pretty sad when someone will spend that much money and neglect it like that. The filings I found were steel and there was a pretty good buildup on the magnet but that is normal.



I have about half a thread sticking through the lock nut. I am going to drive her real easy until it goes and then in goes the Goerend. What does the front band control again?

Hay John fill out the bottom so we can see what you have. Thanks Ben

 

[JohnDodge]

Hay John fill out the bottom so we can see what you have. Thanks Ben

I don't believe I have access to that feature yet. I just bought the subscription this evening.