Transmission Help
 

The transmission on my 1999 Ram 3500 shifts from 1st to 2nd at about 6 mph; shifts from 2nd to 3rd at about 12 mph. Dealer says I have a low line pressure which is causing my trouble. My local transmission shop ran a diagnostic check on the truck while driving it and said that the transmission was doing exactly what the computer was telling it to do - when to shift. He says I need to reprogram the computer to change the shift points, and there is nothing physically wrong with my transmission. The tranmission guy drives a F-350 with a power stroke and he said he did the same thing to his truck. Has anyone else had this trouble and does anyone have any ideas that could help me out?

ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

Mad Max

Welcome to the site, to get started we need more information. What differential gear do you have? What are the rpm’s when the shifts happen? Are there any mods on your truck? Is this truck new to you or have you had this a while and these things just started happening? Fill in your signature section with the particulars of your truck so people who know your truck will be able to help.

Hey,,,,,,,,,,,,, I know this dude!
 

Hey Max,
Sorry I haven't been available and I did get your email. (Max and I worked at the same place till he went to the other plant.) These 80 hour weeks are keeping me busy, and I get off @ 1600 and back here @ 2300!

Anyway,,,,,,
Max has let me drive his truck and he has driven mine, plus we have talked a little about his problem. When I drove it,,, it was shifted into 4th unlocked by the time you were hitting 15 - 20 mph. It does stretch the shifts out a little more with aggressive throttle after it has warmed up. As far as we can tell, the truck is stock in the motor department and the only explanation I had was maybe the previous owner had the trans rebuilt,, replaced,,,, maybe just a shift kit and/or TQ installed. The truck looks very well taken care of and evidently was used to pull a 5th wheel because of the signs where the hitch was taken out. I think he has the same 3.54 as I do.

Hopefully, some of our members can give Max some helpful advice on what to do next. Like Bill said,,,,, fill out your signature with the truck specs also.
Take note Max,,,,,,,,,,
Click here for a thread on the meeting in Wakefeild this Saturday

It sounds like he might have a shift kit that is set a little too aggressive. I would pull the inspection plate and see if the stock torque converter is still there. Here is a good picture of a stock vs. billet cover. http://www.suncoastconverters.com/dodge.html He might be lucky and already have his first major bomb out of the way. I would also see if the tranny has been painted that can be a giveaway on some vendors. I know mine shifts a little quicker especially when I’m taking it easy and unloaded. If he is at the meeting Saturday, I can take him for a ride in mine and compare notes.

I know this is a little obvious, but have you attempted to adjust the throttle pressure? If it's set a little low the shifts will occur early. The adjuster is on the cable itself.

J Body is right, I was assuming the tranny shop would have checked that (I should know better with the crap I’ve been through).[dummy] But it was fun assuming he might have a better deal then he thought. :rolleyes:

Max are you going to be at the meeting Saturday?

There is one other adjustment and it is on the side of the valve body. http://www.dieseltrans.com/download/...adjustment.jpg
Yes you have to remove the pan.
This can be found on DTTs site.
http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=68

Thanks to all of you for your replies. The rear end in the truck is a Dana 80 with a 4.10 gear ratio. And as Dennis can attest, it don't shift right. The dealership (Starr Motors, Suffolk, VA) did check the line pressure. They are the ones that told me that there was a low line pressure and said that they did all that could be done with them as far as adjustments. They told me that there was a blown gasket inside the transmission and it would have to be removed and taken apart to be fixed. Plus a little matter of about $1200!!!! At Crowder and Draper Transmission, that was the guy that told me that the computer needed to be reprogrammed because the transmission was shifting exactly when the computer told it to. He said it was not a physical problem, but a mental(computer) problem. As you can tell, I am getting mixed messages from two outfits that are supposed to know what is going on. I am not for sure what my next step to get the problem resolved should be. I have pulled a load with it on a trailer, and unless you manually shift, it won't pull a greasy string out of a cat's butt!!! I am sorry to tell you that I won't be at the meet Saturday, I have to work, but the next one I can make, I will be there.
Oh, the truck was bought used in July, 2003. As Dennis said, it's looks as though it has been well taken care of. It had only 38,000 miles when I bought it and I asked the sales manager a little of the history on the truck, after I car faxed it, and he said the truck was bought by a retired couple who used it as a tow vehicle and the husband died, and little old ladies don't drive 1 ton Dodge dullies with Cummins Diesel Engines!! But I can hardly keep my wife out of the driver's seat - "Of course, she's not old"!!
Hey, I'm sorry this is so long, but you can ask Dennis who has known me for a long time, I'm like the little old lady on tv, except "I'm talking and I can't shutup!!"
Thanks again for the help.
Mad Max
1999 Ram 3500 2wd Auto, 4.10 antispin diff, turbo cool down timer, auxillary tranmission cooler with thermo controlled fan, pioneer super tuner 3 stereo
1992 FLHTC w/side car

Hey Max, I've got good news, your mechanic is right have them do a comp rflash to the latest software, mine had the same exact problem & also the cruise would surge then I got TSB 18-02-99 & fixed all the problems I had, have the dealer do it for 60 bucks the truck will be perfect!

DRecu!

How many miles do you have on it now? I thought there was a 50,000 mile warranty on these trannys. I would argue that and see if they will do it on the warranty.
I read about that TSB this afternoon sounds like it might work. It’s a shame you have to come to a board to help the dealer do his job, but it’s a good thing its here.
Good luck with your truck. Once you get this stuff out of the way you will like your truck.

I'll be on the phone with the dealer in the morning! I'll find out about the warranty and if TSB 18-02-99 repairs will help my tranny.
Thanks,

Mad Max