dodge ram tranny issue

[barefoot]

96 ram 1500 138k

i am asking this here because you guys rock...

transmission shifts good when cold but once warmed up i have to back off the gas a bit to get it to shift from 3 to 4. sometimes it is easy to get done and sometimes it is ridiculously hard. once REALLY warmed up, it occasionally has the same issue on a lesser note shifting from 2 to 3. downshifting from overdrive takes it straight into 3rd.

the truck is new to me. the guy said he had it worked on and had "the bands tightened" at 108k. there were no issues with shifting at that time. then, the radiator went out and he had it replaced but the mechanic tightened the tranny coolant lines too tight and cracked the housing allowing a leak which was not noticed until a light came on (i guess) and the reservoir was 3 quarts low. refilled and there were still no issues shifting until 1 yr later when it started doing this. he says it has been doing this for 1 yr and has not got any better or worse.

what do you guys think. should i try a power flush and filter change or skip the money waste and have it dropped/repaired?

i kind of half wonder if the fluid is just shot from being low and overheating. hell, i don't even know if the right fluid is in it. but i also don't know squat shit about diagnosing transmission issues

 

[jeepfiend]

Is it the 46RE? I have the same transmission, and if it's the 46RE it can be a couple of things. There are a couple of shift solenoids that can cause some troubles in those transmissions. If it's those, it's not terribly expensive to fix. Mine also struggles with the 3,4 shift. I have read, and have been told by another friend with the same transmission, that the 3/4 shift issues are the beginning of the the end. He did the solenoid fix and it bought him a little time, but a full rebuild wasn't far behind. Your 2/3 issues make me think it's not solenoids, but could be the beginning of the end. When the problems get more advanced, you end up with only 1 and 2 working. Another thing, the 46RE transmission will not tolerate anything but ATF+4 fluid. If they get anything but the ATF+4 you will have shifting issues and it will kill the transmission. That's my two bits on it. I am just waiting for mine to completely shit the bed and then I am swapping it out. The local transmission shop (usually fair and honest with pricing) quoted me $2600 to rebuild. I found rebuilds on ebay with 2yr/24,000 mile warranties for $900. This truck is my first Dodge and I think it's a total pile. I don't think I'll ever buy another one, unless it's got a 12 valve Cummins in it. It leaves more oil on the garage floor than my Series II!!

 

[pdogg]

I have an '05 - 2500 with the Cummins 24V.. 48RE transmission... sorry can't help you much..

but love the truck otherwise.. no issues at at @ 75k miles.

 

[Roving Beetle]

Could be fluid like mentioned above but it's probably on its way out - they are a crap trans in stock form.

Rebuilds are easy if you feel like taking it on and a company called Goerend Brothers (I think that's the spelling) is GREAT for parts and help rebuilding it yourself.

I had a 12V Cummins truck (torque figures over 880 to the wheels.... FUN TRUCK!) and did the trans myself with parts and phone support/help from them. Highly recommended.

Doug