Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission won't shift

[farrview]

Major newbie here with a problem. I have a '99 and it decided to not shift up today. Hate to think I have to rebuild the transmission and hope someone out there can tell me what might be causing it to not shift up.

 

[JLandry]

farrview,

Can you please give us specific details on what's happening?

Are you saying that when you put the gear selector in "D" that the truck will start out in 1st gear as it's supposed to, but will not up shift to higher gears?

What happens when you manually put the gear selector in 1st and 2nd?

Is anything else wrong with the truck?

John L.

PS: Please fill in your truck's info in your profile so we can see what you have.

 

[farrview]

Exactly as you state... ... Start out with handle in "D" and it never shifts up. At idle, placing the gear selector in "1" engages the transmission but it doesn't shift up when moving the lever through each position. Checked the fluid level and its fine. Truck has 150k milage and no other problems.

I had to replace the injector and also added the FASS unit last year.

Any chance this problem has to do the APPS unit? This is my first diesel and I am still learning about it. I bought it two years ago and am slowly learning that the previous owner must have rode it hard.

 

[EHoward]

I had the same problem, replaced the speed sensor on the transmission. Problem solved!! Cost about 20 bucks. Gotta love those easy fixes

 

[JLandry]

farrview,

You still haven't said if the truck will move in 2nd gear when the gear selector in manually placed in 2nd gear, or if you have reverse gear.

Assuming you have both 1st and reverse, then I would agree with EHoward and suggest you start by replacing the transmission output speed sensor and see if that makes any difference. It's job is to tell the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) how fast the transmission is turning. The PCM uses this information along with other sensor inputs to determine when to shift the transmission. Anyway, the transmission output speed sensor is the simplest thing to start with. It's located on the tail section of the transmission housing and very easy to replace... crawl under the truck and look for wires connected to the tail section and you've found it. A replacement should be available at your favorite auto parts store for less than $20.

If that doesn't do anything, then the next most likely culprits are the governor pressure sensor and governor pressure solenoid. These items are used by the PCM to control gear shifts and are common failure points. Both can be ordered online (if you like) and are easily replaced after you drop the transmission pan and remove the filter.

But please report back with exactly what happens in each gear selector position, because if you don't have reverse or a manual 2nd, then you could be looking at something like a damaged band or a stuck shifting valve.

Best regards,

John L.

 

[farrview]

Your right! Problem has gone away with a brand new speed sensor. Had a heck of a time getting the old one out as it was stuck tight. Ruined the corners on the hex but was finally able to argue it out with vise-grips.

New one works fine.

Many thanks to you for the help especially as I was anticipating pulling the transmission and really can't afford to have the truck laid up for long.

 

[JLandry]

You're welcome.

Please don't be a stranger here on the forum! Hang around and post some.

John L.

 

[Moose Truck]

Your right! Problem has gone away with a brand new speed sensor. Had a heck of a time getting the old one out as it was stuck tight. Ruined the corners on the hex but was finally able to argue it out with vise-grips.

New one works fine.

Many thanks to you for the help especially as I was anticipating pulling the transmission and really can't afford to have the truck laid up for long.

Farrview; Did your Speedo work OK? I'm having the same problem w/ no codes. Had ran her out of fuel, Broke the starter mount, now this, quite the day! Moose

 

[JLandry]

Farrview; Did your Speedo work OK? I'm having the same problem w/ no codes. Had ran her out of fuel, Broke the starter mount, now this, quite the day! Moose

Moose,

The speedo is driven by a different speed sensor located in the rear differential. You might try checking the wiring back there and if it looks fine, replace that sensor.

John L.

 

[Moose Truck]

The speedo works fine, however transmission won't shift. Is the sensor on the back, about a hand's width away from the T-case adaptor?

 

[JLandry]

The speedo works fine, however transmission won't shift. Is the sensor on the back, about a hand's width away from the T-case adaptor?

The transmission speed sensor is located on the upper passenger side of the overdrive gear case. It's yellowish in color. CORRECTION: It's on the driver's side.

#ad

 

[DavidC]

Mine is on the Driver's side for 99



Dave

 

[Moose Truck]

Changed Sensor, NAPA $20. 00, truck shifts just fine. Thanks Guys!!!Oo.

 

[bry1216]

47RE stuck in 1st gear. Oil is nice and pink. Replaced Transmission Speed Sensor on driver's side of transmission. Works perfect!

Did notice metalic powder on old sensor.

Thanks TDR Folks!

 

[JLandry]

47RE stuck in 1st gear. Oil is nice and pink. Replaced Transmission Speed Sensor on driver's side of transmission. Works perfect!

Did notice metalic powder on old sensor.

Thanks TDR Folks!

Good to hear.



Makes you wonder how many folks over the years have been told they needed a complete rebuild when a simple $20 part and 5 minutes time would've fixed the problem?



Have a great day,



John L.

 

[cerberusiam]

Makes you wonder how many folks over the years have been told they needed a complete rebuild when a simple $20 part and 5 minutes time would've fixed the problem?

I am pretty sure the speed sensor and\or gov transducer\solenoid problems have kept quite a few shops in businees for many years.

 

[VolsFan]

thanks for this thread, problem just happened with my dads 99 with 350k. Called me up and said it had reverse and wouldnt shift out of 1st. Going to napa to get the part now, but pretty sure this will solve the problem.

 

[Grmoore1964]

Gents -





Thanks in advance for your help. When my 98. 5 was new, I wasa member here and after a long layoff and starting the process of replacing my truck with a new 2012 3500, I rejoined in hopes of getting some information. This thread is similar to my problem, but different enough that imasking for advice.



My truck up shifts through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd without trouble. Sometimes the shifts are harder than others but to that point it is mostly normal. However after that, about 25% of the time it stays in 3rd, about 50% of the time it shifts into 4th, and only about 25% of the time it shifts normally all the way to OD lockup.



I have been anticipating -and putting off - dropping the transmission pan and replacing the wiring harness. Governor sensor, and governor solenoid as I am just not feeling that ambitious. So myquestion is this: is it possible that just replacing the transmission speed sensor mentioned earlier in this thread could solve my problem?



Specifics on my truck: DTT transmission, 100 hp injectors, 5" exhaust, Edge Comp computer. I think that's about it.



Thanks again for the help!



Greg

 

[JLandry]

So myquestion is this: is it possible that just replacing the transmission speed sensor mentioned earlier in this thread could solve my problem?

Greg,



If I understand you correctly, this problem is on a 1998. 5 truck... correct?



From the symptoms you've described, it doesn't sound like the external output shaft speed sensor will fix the problem. Of course at only $10-20 each and 5 minutes of your time to swap it out, it sure wouldn't hurt to try.



Rather, it sounds like an intermittent problem with the 3rd to 4th gear and TC lockup solenoid. You can see one HERE.



You'll need to drop the pan to replace it, so while you're at it, it would be a very good idea to also replace the governor pressure sensor and governor pressure solenoid. They're failure-prone parts.



Also be sure and adjust the bands.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[Grmoore1964]

Thank-you for your prompt reply and the great information!



Yes, it is the 98. 5 truck. I'll look over the threads you mentioned and get ready to spend some time under the transmission taking care of this. It doesn't seem to be fixing itself, unfortunately!



Thanks again -



Greg