MY 96 CUMMINS DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT WHEN I ACCELERATE HARD. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHY? I HEARD IT COULD BE SOME CABLE OUT OF WHACK OR SOMETHING.

 

Save yourself a lot of grief trying to guess the problem and pick up a Haynes Repair Manual #30041 (under $15 at most autoparts stores). Read the section on the transmission adjustments. Your problem can be Throttle Position Sensor, voltage related from bad grounds or low alternator output, throttle valve cable (same as a modulator on a GM automatic) misadjusted, shift linkage adjustment, etc.

Most often the problem on the 96 and newer automatics is the TPS, but not always. Sometimes a bad TPS can be cleaned with contact cleaner and will come back to life. It is sealed, so you have to pick a hole through the plastic and blast it out, and then cover the hole so dust does not enter afterward.

 

I think what your talking about could possibly be the throttle kick down cable. I had mine adjusted by a mechanic (to a 1/4"), so can't help you on how to do it. It could be a TPS but it seems most TPS problems usually are with the lock up, not the kick down. Is your truck stock? When mine was stock, you really had to tromp on the throttle hard to make it kick down. Never adjusted anything while it was stock, just slammed the pedal hard if I wanted it to kick down.

 

YES TRUCK IS STOCK SO FAR. I DO FLOOR IT WHEN I GO TO PASS SOMEONE AND IT DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT.

 

Dodge CTD trucks AT's do not have the capability to downshift over about 50mph. A downshift at 50mph or above would place the rpm's to high. Try this- lock-out OD, accelerate to 55mph and observe engine rpm's, now accelerate to 60mph and watch rpm's. This was explained to me by the AT mechanic at a local dodge dealership.

 

But what if 2nd gear goes to 65mph
Sorry, had to throw that in.