Driving home from work this morning at 65 MPH my transmission suddenly down shifted out of overdrive; raised my RPM's to 2500.
I pulled over; slowed to 50 MPH and then turned "OD" off and on with no change, so I drove 15 miles @ 55 MPH 2300 RPM home.

driving in town the RPM's are high with less power and the shift points seem wrong.

Does anyone have any ideas what caused this and what to check or look for.
"No codes"

1999 Ram 4x4 Quad 24v w/97,500 miles stock

 

Try removing the output speed sensor and cleaning off the metal debris and re-installing.

 

I am not sure if there is a fix for that. Usually when that happens, it is not long for your trans. I had this happen at least twice on my 1500/46re trans and they both bit the big one very shortly after.
This is a self protection mode for the trans.
Just wait, you should get better info from others, but just be ready to replace the trans very soon. Once it starts doing this, it will continue. I hope you have another vehicle to drive. I would not trust it much past the end of your driveway.

 

Thanks for the quick reply guys, I have been searching through manuals and the Vehicle speed sensor that fade94 mentioned sounds like it would be the culprit. Busy week; can't get to it till the weekend; I'll let the truck sit till then.
b4wheeler, I hope your wrong 97,000 miles I guess is pretty good for a tranny.

Mike

 

I hope it's not the trans. 97k is REALLY good for an auto especially if you pull with the truck. Mine had 3 Dodge "fixes" in it's first 55k miles. They finally PAID to have an outside trans shop build it to handle the work put on it. That was 61k miles ago and when I pull, I pull heavy over some intense mountain passes. The reason I said the sensor, is mine did the same thing weekend before last and I replaced it. When I pulled it out, the magnet contact was covered with debris. Since I already had a new one in hand, I replaced it. It was $25 at the dealer. If you do the swap, be ready to put the new on in as soon as the old comes out. You will lose some fluid. On my 01' the sensor was at about 8:00 if looking at the trans from the rear.

 

I rarely tow, but I do throw a Lance camper on it about four times a year and drive on rough washboard roads.
At $25 I'll just buy the sensor and hopefully install it Saturday. I'll let everyone know whatever the outcome is Saturday night.

 

I installed the sensor today, but it did not fix the problem. I am looking through this site for any other solutions before I go for a new transmission.
thanks for your help .

 

According to the manual 4th is controlled by the ECM and an overdrive solenoid, if solenoid is bad it will not apply 4th as 4th gear is electrically controlled. thats where I would start, also sounds like the tranny temp sensor (if I read the book correctly) locks out 4th if the tranny oil is too cold or too hot, if too hot the OD light will come on and it will drop out of 4th. 4th will not work until tranny temp drops.
also check your tranny oil in NEUTRAL only as if checked in park level will be higher than it should.

I believe the manual I have is one I found on this site or another, I just saved it to my Hard drive, PM me if you want it e-mailed to you (its a PDF file) hopefully its e-mailable

 

Good info, sent my email through PM.

Mike

 

I worked on two different trucks with the same problem. One needed a valve body and the other one had a bad overdrive seal. If you remove the transfer case and unbolt the overdrive unit and remove, the OD piston is on the back of the trans.

 

Well if it needs that much work, with 97,000 miles on it,
I'll have it rebuilt.

Mike

 

I noticed today that first gear is out, but I can manually put it in first or second to start off then D until 50 mph, and still no OD.

 

If it taking off in second gear it may need a govener solinoid or transductor.

 

That was my experience... pretty simple and relatively inexpensive fix.

OD can mean step one in a dying tranny.... but, assuming good maintenance, I would not expect that at 97,000 miles on a stock CTD, unless heavy towing!

RJ