Hi, I'm having this problem and want to know if it some thing i should be worried about. yesterday mourning i started my truck let it warm up in nuetural for a while got in it backed up put in drive and no first gear. It wouldn't even go into first if droped the selector to first, but this is'nt the first time it has happened it happened about 2 or 3 monthes ago and about 3 weeks before that. then i would get to were i was going let it sit for about 2 hours and it would drive fine.But what really worries me is that this mourning i went through the every day routine when starting left the driveway and it wouldn't shift out of first. so i stoped shut if off restarted and the other problem occured no first gear for about 20 min. of driving. i appreciate any comments. Sorry for the long post. 2000 24v auto. 65000 miles

 

torq,

My dad's truck has similiar symptoms. His truck when you shift it into drive starts out in second gear. It won't start in 1st unless you manually shift it. The problem is either the shift selenoid or the selenoid sensor or both. But like I said your symptoms are similiar and not quite the same. He so far has been able to shift manually to get 1st. Just an idea. His truck is an 01 auto 62,000 miles.

Thomas

 

I would check the shift linkage to be sure you are not overshooting the D1 position. If the needle is between the D1 and D2 position, you have likely found your problem and simply need to reset it so the detents and linkage are in sync.

 

Sounds like the solenoids in your tranny. Mind did that to me one day out of the blue. No good reason either. Just died. Stayed permanently in 3rd gear.

 

Hey bigblue how much did the soleniods cost? and how difficult to install? thanks for the info

 

torq

Just put the selenoid and the sensor in my dad's 01. The selenoid was $106, the sensor was sixty something. You have to drop the pan so you might as well throw a new filter and fluid in there while your at it. They are located on the passenger side of the valve body. Two to three hour job. Pretty easy if you have a lift.

Thomas

 

If it's still under warranty, let Dodge fix it.

 

Unfortunaty it isn't under warranty or i would definetly make dodge fix it.

 

I had to replace my Speed Sensor in my tranny the other day. When mine went out the truck didn't shift right and was hard to drive it down the road. Turn your key on/off 3 times and leave it forward on the 3rd time. If you get a code like 750 or something in the 700's it is more than likely these sensors. The dealer can hook up your truck to the computer and tell you in about 2 seconds. Just some advice if it is the sensors replace them all at once.