Having an issue with my truck that I'm hope some of you might have suggestions for.

I've got a 2003 dodge 2500 diesel 4x4 with the auto tranny!
It has 86000 miles, and I've only put 2K of the miles on the truck in the last year.
Hooked up a small single car trailer the other day to tow with a light car on it and went driving down the road.
5 miles later, came to a stop sign, went to take off, and the truck wouldn't start out in first or second. Wanted to start out in 3rd everytime.
When you manually shift the gear lever to 1st or 2nd, it still stays in 3rd.
I've done tons of searching online for this problem and I've found tons of possible ideas, but nothing conclusive that leads me to believe it's the solution.

I've also done the trick of turning the ignition on 3 times fast and it give me a P0700 which is a generic trans code.
I also hooked up an OBDII scan tool (made by actron), and it reads no codes and simply says pass.
Called actron and they said the tool does not read diesels! Anyone know if that's true?
Is there a code reader that can tell me if I have a trans code?

Anyone have any suggestions other than taking the truck to the dealer so they can tell me I need a $4k new tranny!

Thanks for anyone's help in advance!

 

My 2005 was doing almost the same thing about 4 months ago. I replaced the governor pressure solenoid (I think that is the name, I forget) and transducer. It got first and 2nd back but still has the low throttle/load shift hunt. Better than nothing....Ive also heard about adjusting the bands. But it seems that it only makes it worse for some people.

 

Typical symptoms for a governor pressure transducer and solenoid malf. Replace both when you do and buy them online for about $50 per. Dealer wants way too much for the junk.

 

You have a third vote on the governer transducer and solenoid. I have replaced them twice.

 

What web site can you buy both of them from?

 

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...-000053396.htm

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...-00053397a.htm

 

hey guys thanx for all the info sounds good. i'll repelace them and let you know what happens. does anyone have an idea why I can't pull any codes from this truck with a universal obdII code reader.
again thanx

 

Not all readers have the diesel codes tables in them. that is a specific set that has to be bought seprately most times.

Sounds like your ECU still has the generic Cummins code in it also. Depending on your build date, you can have that flashed and loaded with the Dodge specific programs they have developed. That should give you the specific codes for the trans and engine.

 

I had the exact same problem with my 03 dually diesel===the problem with mine was in the wiring that goes to the bottom plug on the power train control module (pcm) located on the passenger side firewall. The pcm has three plug in's and there were 5 wires that were shorted and burned. Replaced the 5 wires and all has been fine for 40,000 mi.