I'm hoping there's some simple cure for this and I don't need a new transmission. I tried to back up today (slight incline, loose gravel surface), put it in reverse, and thought I heard a rear tire spin...kind of a scraping/clicking sound and the truck wouldn't move. Now, if I shift into reverse, it's like it's still in neutral...no motion, no change in idle speed...nothing. It's an '06 3500, 4wd, auto trans. I didn't drive it far after this happened, but it seems to work fine going forward.

Any ideas before I take it to the dealer?

Thanks much,
Scot

 

I would look at the rear band apply piston area. Check the rev port for pressure, if you have about 150-175 psi at idle chances are you roasted the clutches in the front drum. You probably only have low and second huh? Same thing happened to me last week. I'm just now getting it back together. Everything except the front drum was fine. I had no rev and no shift outta 2nd.
Hope this helps.
Looks like you'll pull it apart and replace some things.

 

Thanks for the reply...really appreciate it. Unfortunately, doing what you say is way above my skill level. Still, your input is valuable because it tells me it's not something simple like a shifter adjustment, etc. Bummer...can't believe my truck is down.

 

If all the forward gears are fine, it is simply the rear servo as stated above. Mine is doing the same right now. ( I think is has something to do with thw swine flu).
Be careful as a trans shop may take you for a full rebuild. My rear servo pressure is 70 psi in reverse!!! Way too low, thus it is leaking.
Be careful if you drive it much, you may damage the rear band. Then you need a rebuild!!!

 

Anyone know what would cause this failure? Just bad luck?

I have an appointment at the dealer on Friday. Plan to try to drive it there but haven't yet driven it at all so don't know if it will shift through all the gears.

Also, curious to know how "invasive" of a procedure this is going to be? I don't have a lot of faith in the dealers here. Where I live, you don't see too many diesel Rams and the dealer told me they rarely get any in their shop.

Thanks, Scot

 

I drove the truck to the dealer the other day. It seemed to drive normally and shifted through all the forward gears. They called today to tell me they're ordering parts:

Valve body RL854241AA
Trans kit R0001483AA
O-drive 52854205AC
Gasket 4471565

I asked them to get the trouble codes for me, still waiting on that info. Does it sound like they're replacing the right parts? I don't know where the

 

Oops, meant to say I wasn't sure where the rear servo and reverse band are located.