We have a 98 3500 24V 4X4 with almost 200,000 miles on it. It's been relatively trouble free until recently, when the tranny started shifting in and out of overdrive. It will only do this around 38 to 42 mph under normal acceleration. The TC also will 'pound' 3 or 4 times when it locks up at this speed under moderately hard acceleration. Accelerate harder or let your foot off the gas and it's fine. It will also do the same thing with the lock up TC if we have the OD locked out, but it does it at a slower speed, around 30 - 35 mph.

Figuring it was the TPS, we took it to the dealer. They replaced the TPS and it was fine for about a week, then started doing it all over again. They took it back in, replaced a wiring harness or 2 and cleaned all kinds of electrical connectors, saying it was an 'impedance problem' that was messing up the TPS. After the 2nd time to the dealer, it was fine for exactly 6 hours, and now we're right back where we started again.

The dealer says this is a common problem with these vehicles and Dodge acknowledges there is an 'on-going problem' but has no solution to repair it. Has anyone had a similar experience or even ever heard of this 'on-going problem' ?

Thanks!

chaikwa.

 

I've read that running a new ground wire will fix this issue. There was a great post around here that had pics and everything on what the poster did to fix his similar problem. Danged if I can find it at this point.

 

Hey, I have a 99 2500 that does the same thing.. I only have 60,000 miles on her.. Have you found out any fixes and Will dodge stand behind the problem. I have had it in and they said that they reflash the computer and it stopped the problem. It changed the shift points, and fixed the problem sort of.. It will still do it every once and while.. Any help appreciated. Craig

 

Hey farmingc,

I just took the truck back into the dealer this afternoon to have it worked on tomorrow. I'll let you know what the outcome is after I get it back. This is the third trip in for the same problem.

chaikwa.

 

Here's an update;

The tech at the dealership removed the TPS wire from the wiring harness and ran it seperate of any other wires. He says he's driven the truck for 25 miles with no problems, so he's asked us to try it and see if the problem is in fact resolved. If it isn't, he's going to get a noise filter from DTT and we'll try that for a solution.

I think it's fair to mention that this dealership has about 20 hours of diagnostic and experimental time into this project, and have so far REFUSED to charge us anything for it. Even tho the truck is pushing 200,000 miles, they say Chrysler acknowledges the problem but can't offer a fix, so they aren't comfortable charging anyone for something that might not work. And on top of it all, they gave us a loaner car to use while the truck is tied up! Kinda refreshing to hear about a decent dealer for a change, so I thought I'd mention it.

chaikwa.

 

Daaaaaaaaang. Sure wish I could find a dealer like that here!

 

My truck did the same thing.

I called Joel at ATS Diesel (Denver Area?) and he showed me a link that took me to a "Chrysler" shop repair sheet.

It explains how to cut and rewire the APPS wire that goes from the PCM, through a connector on the firewall, into the ECM, and then into the APPS (wich sits above your VP44).

Sounds hard, but it only took me an hour or so. The first hour was just comparing the wiring diagram to my engine. Once I figured out what was what, It only took me about 30 min's to cut and re-wire the new APPS wire. I also ran a new ground directly to the battery (from the APPS) and the truck shifts better than when it was new. It actually holds in OD gear when I push the accelerator pedal down pretty far, for passing. It used to "Search" in and out of OD all the time.

Here is the link for the wiring diagram. http://www.atsdiesel.com/PDF/APPS%20...20Fix%20A1.PDF

Good luck, and email me if you have any questions. I can send you some photo's if you need any guidance. DON'T CUT THE WRONG WIRE...

Pete

 

Did you have time to look into if this is the problem that you may have?

Just curious...

 

Well, it's been a few days and the truck seems to be doing fine. No 'hunting' between OD and 3rd. I'll repost if anything changes.

McGyver; Thanx for the info and the link. I printed both for future reference.

chaikwa.

 

No problem. Like I said, since the re-wire (Chrystler sheet that you downloaded) my truck has never shifted better. It holds the OD gear now when climbing hills and passing.

Cheers...

 

My 99 dually did the same thing. It was the lockup/od sensor in the tranny. The only difference is mine did it between 40-48. But that cured it. It was $122.00 well worth doing yourself.

i had a shop look at it because it would not shift into second and went straight to third and they said it needed rebuilt. $1800.00 so i checked around and another shop told me that the sensor was bad. Also one of them tried to adjust my bands and droped the tensioner down in my pan. Thanks guys. I put it back in and adjusted it and replaced the sensor and it shifts great. Good luck