Just came in from a four day trip to the mountains today pulling my 11,000 lb camper with no problems. After unhitching, went to visit my sons in a nearby town, thats when it all started. Came to a stop, when I tried to pull off it acted as though it were in 3rd gear, pulled the selector down in 1rst and it shuddered a couple of times then acted as though it was having trouble shifting into and locking into any gear. Then it got to acting as though you shifting into neutral at 30-40 MPH, the only way you could get it to move again was to pull over, switch off the engine to reset the computers and restart and the whole cycle would start again. I had to keep doing this for 17 miles to get home. Also having the OD in the off position no effect on the problem either way.

98.5 3500 24V CTD TST PowerMax 2 4" Exhaust F/Turbo

 

Sounds like limp mode. Have you check the ATF level?

 

Sounds like the same thing that happened to my 02 truck. Turns out the transducer inside the trans was bad. The dealer fixed it and no problems since

 

Got a more in depth explaination of "limp mode" ? Is this a code stored in the computer that must be cleared ? To be honest with you I am sick and tired of pouring money into that go-cart clutch Dodge calls a transmission. This is the fourth time it has went south. I have a Triple Loc TC, Transmission, and Commander ordered from ATS that should arrive by Dec 30, 04. My feeling is that if I get rid of the weak link I may start to enjoy my truck again, but I don't want to leave a gremlin behind to interfere with the new tranny setup. What do you fellows think ?

 

Limp mode is a kind of failsafe mode that will enable you to pull the truck to the side of the road when something fails. If the PCM sees values that tell that the tranny is shot it will go into limp mode. So now there are 2 possibilities. Either the value is incorrect (eg blown seal resulting in low pressure) or the sensor is shot.
Just clearing the code won't repair either damage. Get your codes scanned and see what it is.
I don't know whether the ATS tranny comes with the sensors installed or not. If yes it shouldn't be a problem if your sensors are shot, if no get the sesors the codes do indicate.

HTH
AlpineRAM

 

Finished up the install on the ATS tranny, triple lok TC, and commander yesterday and the truck has never felt more connected in the middle! So far the performance I have seen has eased pain it left in in back pocket . I appreciate the replies to the post. All the post on the KDP is scaring the heck out of me, so I guess thats the next project.

 

Glad your happy with the truck sometimes you do need the ecm reflashed and sometimes the limp mode will just subside it vary's why honestly I don't know I have had solenoids take a crap on the valvebodys replace them everything works fine and other times need reflash to work right??