I have an 03 with a 46re 4-speed tranny. It was rebuilt a year and a half ago and has about 27000 on the rebuild. Last week with no warning it started acting up. When you put it in gear it lags, takes a few seconds to move. After you get going it feels like it slips into second, to get into third you have to get the rpms up pretty high and then gradually gain speed and it slips in. Then to get into fourth it feels like it is searching for a gear. The place that rebuilt it I think is out of buisness. Any and all help appreciated

 

First, the 46RE was never used in an 03.
It either has a 47 or 48.
Now get the codes read to see what it is reporting.
Sounds like the limp home mode/start in second/third gear.
I'm assuming this is in a dodge diesel truck, not something other!!
Fillout the signature.

 

Check your fluid first. Low fluid level can cause numerous conditions.

 

It is a 46re says it right on the transmission. It is not spitting out any codes and the fluid is fine. The fluid was in the ok but on the bottom half so I topped it off but didn't make a difference.

 

J-fox is right, 03 trucks didn't have a 46re and the diesels never came with a 46re in any year.... If that really is a 46re under there, then it's not the right transmission and I don't know how they got it in there....

When you checked codes, did you use a code reader or are you looking for an engine light? Trans codes won't necessarily put the engine light on.

It sounds like a possible governor pressure issue, half plugged filter or worn clutch packs. You said the fluid was up, does it smell burnt? Is it discolored?

 

Look again.
The 46 won't bolt to the diesel!
It will either be a 47 re or a 48 re.

 

Look again.
The 46 won't bolt to the diesel!
It will either be a 47 re or a 48 re.

Either way, it may be the gov. sensors on the VB going out. Need codes first.

 

I have a bully dog power pup programmer and used it to check the codes. It is not registering any fault codes. I am going to try a new filter and fluid, is there anything I can check while the pan is off?

 

I would seriously consider replacing the governor sensor and solenoid if I were you. They have a tendency to go..... Borg Warner has an upgraded sensor now - that's what I'd put in. Had I known about it when I rebuilt my auto, I would have installed it then. Now I will wait till the OEM one gives trouble. Borg Warner unit is cheaper too. Also, do a band adjustment too. At 27,000 after rebuild, it wouldn't hurt...

 

46re came on the first gens...?

 

Nope. 46RE was never behind a diesel. Diesels were 727, 47RH, 47RE, 48RE and I don't know what the newest ones are....

46RE was a gasser trans and came behind the 4.7l and the Jeep L6 cyl's. Not sure if it came behind the bigger gassers or any of the v6's.....

 

Thanks for the help. I did some more researching and it is indeed a 48RE. I will let you know if it cures my problem.

 

NP. 48RE in an 03 makes more sense lol

 

a518 is also a 46RH. not a 47re or 47rh. i knew i wasnt losing my mind lol

 

Aaahhhh cool. I did not know that there even was a 46RH lol