kellio

Hey, Is anyone having problems with their transmision being possessed and shifting between 4-5 and back on its own with no load change. My dodge dealer "fixed" it by running a new ground wire from the PCM to the ground terminal of one of my batteries. It "fixed" it for about 1 day. Then the problem came back. I had heard that this was due to noise in the ground wire causing the PCM to think it was time to shift the transmission. SO..., guess what I found? Just before this problem started, I had the same dealer perform the 50,000 mile check/change all fluids/belts preventative. It seems the the technician had "accidentally" moved a ground wire that runs between the engine, behind the alternator, to the left side battery (facing the engine compartment) to on top of the alternator right across the alternator opening. I moved the ground wire to behine the alternator and the problem went away immediately and permanently. The reason I said "accidentally" was when I reported this to the dealer, they didn't seem all that interested in my discovery, hmmmm. Of course in my attempt at over-kill, I installed a cable shield on that ground wire and tie-wrapped to ensure this problem would not happen again. I also changed out the ground wire they installed with a 8 gage wire and ran it to both batteries. I haven't had a bit of problem since. Hope this helps someone. Ken.

jigdog

kellio that is scary.the tech hasn't probably been told yet that the trannys shift on voltage. if they get a problem with shifting thats part of the process for finding the root of it. what is your truck if you fill in that stuff down below it easier for guys to come up with help ;D

jigdog

keilio something i forgot ,hit the search link and type in shifting problems or to that effect and it will bring up some suggestions for you to try if the shifting thing keeps up.

kellio

Sorry, I forgot to describe my truck. 1999 Dodge 3/4 ton with 5.9 cummins and automatic with overdrive. I understand that 4th and 5th gear are controlled by the PCM (located in the engine compartment behind the air cleaner box). I heard from a local highly recommended transmission guy that that the mysterious shifting between 40 - 65 mph was probably due to electrical noise and since dodge recommended a seperate ground wire, I put 2 and 2 together and started looking for anything that could put electrical noise on a ground wire attached to the battery in front of the air cleaner box. This is the battery that has the ground wire from the PCM connected to it. This is when I found the ground wire from that battery to the the engine block laying on top of the alternator. Pushed it behind the alternator, took it for a test ride and the problem disapeared. One minor correction, I ran the PCM ground wire ONLY to the other battery to further separate the source of the noise from the PCM ground. Anyway, the transmission shifts beautifully and the problem has not come back in the last 6 months. This apparrently is a problem several dodge trucks have experienced in my area. I can send pictures if anyone needs more info. Ken. PS I am new at this forum. Does this thing have spell check? :P

drecu

Hey Kellio!!
I have a 99 also & also had the same problem & what you need is TSB 18-02-99 http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1999/18-02-99.htm it cost me 60 bucks @ the dealer or if you are under warrenty still it is covered!
It fixed all the problem s I had & more probably the best 60 bucks I spent on the truck, it fixed the shift points & the cruise conrol also!

DRecu!

kellio

Thanks for the info, drecu. My dealer told me they had already checked my PCM for the latest software updates. I guess that is why they were stumped. I will run this bulletin by them. Although my transmission is shifting fine now, my cruise control wants to surge about 5-10 mph when it is first engaged. After that it settles down and behaves itself. Maybe they did not accurately follow this procedure....OR maybe my PCM is simply possessed!!!! , Ken.

1BadDzl

Try www.happibox.com. It fixed my 99-I had the same problems and tried eveything else including the dealer reflash.

dansdodgediesel

tell you how much the dealere know's, When my govenor silonid went bad they chouldn't tell me anything about it, just that they replace everything when the tranny goes bad. I bet if i took my truck there, it would have a new $xxxx tranny instead of a $100 part.

MCummings

Hey Ken,
Glad you got that fixed. There are several ways to fix this. It's not just the ground wire. The TPS varies it's voltage very little from idle, to WOT, so a small voltage spike is a big deal to the PCM.

There are two other ways to fix this besides the HappiBox.
One is a kit that replaces all the TPS wires with shielded wires, and runs them outside of the wire loom. Another way is similar to the happi box, but cheaper, it is a complex voltage regulator.
......

Now, what everybody else didn't catch, or didn't want to mention.

Your truck has a 47RE transmission.
4 speeds
700 Foot Lb rating
Rear Drive
Electronic
(See where the 47re plays out?)

You don't have a 5-speed tranny. It is only 4-speeds.
What feels like the extra shift is actually the Torque Converter Clutch engaging. The RPM drop can be substantial when locking up, and will feel like another shift.


Merrick

kellio

Sorry for the slow response. Its been Christmas....
Here are the requested pictures. Hope this helps.
By the way MCummings, lockup and 5th gear are the same to me but I'm no mechanic, thanks for the info.

Shovelhead

It has also been reported several times that cleaning the battery posts and connectors will sometimes cure this problem of strange shifting auto trannys.
It seems small changes in supplied voltages will drive the computer nutz.

mexico

Hello yes please send pics. Thanks

oliver foster

Asking a guy to send some pics on a 17 YEAR OLD post might not get you much....

Fordzilla

Especially since his last activity was ten years ago...We see this so much here I really think it may be an elaborate system of trolls only interested in irritating and annoying the rest of us...If so, what a foolish waste of time......Ben

oliver foster

Ben, I think you might be giving them too much credit.
I more picture people who are totally out of touch with reality, just looking for a quick answer while doing the least amount of legwork possible.