Greetings.

First off--I'm new here but it looks like a great fount of information.

My problem? My 1999 Ram 2500 (diesel/4wd/auto) has recently started having problems accelerating from a standstill. This seems to occur when it is very hot, engine and ambient. Starting in "D", the truck will jerk a few times and then stall, much like a new driver will do with a stick, heh. If I start it "2" or "1", it seems to get moving with no problems. This leads me to believe it's a Torque Converter issue.

However, I've also noticed that occasionally at speed it will slip a bit. I'm not really sure that the TC would affect that?

And now to top it off, possibly a totally unrelated issue...occasionally when I turn the key to start nothing happs. Much like the starter, bendix or even the neutral switch. I'm not sure where the switch is located on the Ram, or even if it is a mechanical switch or sloenoid.

My question is--does this sound more like a TC, transmission, or possibly even a sensor problem?

The truck has app. 130K miles and has had no non-maint. transmission work done with the exception of replacing the 4wd transfer case about 10K miles ago.

Thanks for any insights.

 

My buddy had a problem with his truck, when he slowed to a stop at an intersection the truck would shudder then stall. It had to do with a new torque converter that had been installed and stayed locked for some reason. Once he replaced that everything was good. I don't know if that helps, but I'm not a tranny guy so what do I know

 

Double check the fluid level. Has the filter,fluid and bands been adjusted? You should be able to go to a dealer and have the code read. There are several sensors and solinoids that can give you problems...

 

Hey there.

Checked the fluid level. Looks great. Filter and fluid are changed regulary. No adjustments have been made to the bands on the TC to my knowledge. There are no codes as of yet. It just jerks and stalls.

Thanks.

 

Sounds to me like the TC is staying locked...what happens if you downsift it manually?? Like, going from OD to direct?? Does it shift?? How about Direct to 2nd? It doesn't act up with the shifter in second??

Chris

 

Hi Chris.

Well, can't say for the OD to Direct as I have not tried that. However, it does in fact shift when I switch from D to 2nd and vice versa. When it's acting up, the only way I can get it moving is to start out in 2 or 1 and then shift it up from there.

The one thing that keeps me from doing a lot of in depth testing is that it only seems to occur when it's very hot. For instance in the mornings when the ambient temp is fairly cool, 70F or so--no problems. My commute is short so it never gets really hot. However, when I leave at the end of the day and the truck has been baking in 98F temps all day and is pretty hot--within 5 minutes or so it starts acting up.

And of course, I'm trying not to torture it too much in case it is the TC I don't want to stress the tranny more then I have to. Hah!

Thanks.

 

How long have you owned the truck?

I would get the codes pulled from the truck, and see if there is anything there.

It sounds to me like the TC is locked all the time...imagine trying to drive a stick shift with no clutch, and stop at a light!! If the TC is locked, that's what you're doing!

Chris

 

I'm the original owner. I've had it since new in 1999. 130K miles with no issues except a transfer case replacement at around 120K. Reading about the multitude of problems other people seem to have with their drivetrains, I guess I should be thankful. ;-)

Didn't see any codes when I tried to pull them the other day. But I'm going to the dealer first thing in the morning to let them have a look. I'm hopeful that they will be able to find something even though it only happens when it is really hot. At the moment my hope is that it is only the TC and not the whole transmission that might need replacement. Who knows, maybe it can just have the bands adjusted and I'm off to the races. Hah!

But if the TC does need replacing I'll most likely not go with the OEM Mopar replacement. Looking at the BD offerings right now. Guess that can be another thread topic...recommendations for an aftermarket TC for the 47RE Diesel. Don't really need a super high performance unit, but a bullet-proof one would be nice.


Thanks.

 

Well, trip to the dealer went pretty much as expected. They told me that I need a transmission overhaul, replace TC, seals, pump, solenoid pack, etc.

So...anybody here had experience with Suncoast? Good? Bad?

Any recommendations for a good aftermarket transmission assembly? I only use the truck for daily commuting, very light towing if any, performance will come from the superchips programmer.

Thanks.

 

I only have personal experience with Gorenend, torque converter, valvebody and a 1-2 shift lever. So far everything is awesome with it.

 

Give Dave gorenend a call one off the best or DTT!

 

Give dave goerend a call. IIRC you can get one of his transmissions for $2950 before shipping. Should be plenty enough to handle what you need it to.