Transmission Problems with 1996 Dodge Truck
bsh...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
My Brother-in-law just purchased a 1996 Dodge 4x4 truck with the
5.9 litre (gas) engine and the overdrive transmission. He is having
problems in the cold weather (Alberta Canada) whereby the transmission
will not shift into overdrive in the cold weather. In some cases
it will not shift for at least 100 miles.
I presume there must be a heat sensor that will not let the transmission
shift until it reaches a certain temperature. Has anyone else experienced
the same problem??
Bill
Arg12
Check your owner's manual. My 97 Dakota manual states that there is,
indeed, a temperature sensor to prevent overdrive engagement in cols
weather.
Doug G
I've got a 96 1-Ton with the Diesel and 4 speed auto here in Alaska and
haven't had any problems with the tranny. I think there is something in
the manual about a sensor but once the drive train warms up it should
work fine. Never had any problems with it, and it was -40F last week
here. Sounds like a trip to the dealership for some work is in order...
Jim and Donna Sens
On Thu, 16 Jan 1997 01:19:17 -0900, Doug G <goo...@alaska.net> wrote:
I had a similar problem, however it was because of a stripped line
connected to the transmission. Take it into the dealer. Regards...
Jim Sens
jds...@ix.netcom.com
Tim Bingley
I have a 1994 Dodge 3500 Turbo Cummins Diesel with the overdrive
automatic transmission (5 gears). At about 85,000 Km the transmission
would not shift out of second without a fight. Thank god it was covered
by warrenty. But, now that the dealership has fixed it, which would've
ran about $2,000, the transmission still seems like it doesn't work
right. You have to let up on the accelerator with high enough rpm before
it will shift when supposed to.
In article <32DE00...@alaska.net>, goo...@alaska.net says...
ROCKEYPINE
Read the manual. It's doing what it is designed to do. No overdrive
until a set tempeature is reached. i believe that it also will drop out
of overdrive if the trans gets too hot.
Tom Smith ( 96 Dully, ext cab, 4x4
Jim Sloot
I have the same problem with my 96 RAM, 5L auto. It seems to be
related to ambient temperature rather than transmission temperature. I
drove over 100 km and then hit a -35 deg.C air pocket. The next time
it downshifted for a hill, it would not return to overdrive. I drove
another 100 km before it worked again. The dealer told me to get a
winter front for something like $130. BTW, this was a 4200 km trip to
Las Vegas. It worked fine at all other times.
Jim Sloot
James L. Rice
> '>
> '> My Brother-in-law just purchased a 1996 Dodge 4x4 truck with the
> '> 5.9 litre (gas) engine and the overdrive transmission. He is
> having
> '> problems in the cold weather (Alberta Canada) whereby the
> transmission
> '> will not shift into overdrive in the cold weather. In some cases
> '> it will not shift for at least 100 miles.
> '>
> '> I presume there must be a heat sensor that will not let the
> transmission
> '> shift until it reaches a certain temperature. Has anyone else
> experienced
> '> the same problem??
> '>
> '> Bill
> '
> ' I've got a 96 1-Ton with the Diesel and 4 speed auto here in
> Alaska and
> 'haven't had any problems with the tranny. I think there is something
> in
> 'the manual about a sensor but once the drive train warms up it should
> 'work fine. Never had any problems with it, and it was -40F last week
> 'here. Sounds like a trip to the dealership for some work is in
> order...
>
> connected to the transmission. Take it into the dealer. Regards...
> Jim Sens
> jds...@ix.netcom.com
I also had a similar problem on my 95 Cummins Ram 2500, but the dealer
traced it to a throttle position sensor. Once the engine temp sensor
did fail and it wouldn't shift into od. I can't remember how much the
repair was, but it wasn't too bad.
James Rice
jr...@texoma.net
CMccrac401
Bill - Yes it does have a temp sensor. The trans will protect itself. In
cold weather the fluid thickens therefore causing lubrication problems.
Fluid bypasses cooler and cannot lubr overdrive therefore it locks it out.
Its normal, its what it is supposed to do.
CAM
JP4571
The transmission temperature sensor must detect something like 140 degrees
(F) prior to shifting up. Here in NC, if it is much below freezing I
usually have to drive about 6 miles prior to shifting. The dealer says it
is normal operation. (But, the also said running a stop sign because of
no brakes was normal!)
Also, the throttle position sensor on the Cummins can be a problem. If
the throttle is not sensed in the right position the tourqe converter will
not work properly. I have found that by simply removing it and cleaning
it with a contact cleaner saves a trip to the dealer. It is easy to get
to and mounted with just two screws--just be sure to get things lined up
right when re-installing. The job takes about 15 minutes but can save you
hours of inconvenience at the shop.
Jerry M. Turner
hailm...@aol.com wrote:
>
> In article <19970207121...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, jp4...@aol.com
> (JP4571) writes:
>
> >The transmission temperature sensor must detect something like 140
> degrees
> >(F) prior to shifting up. Here in NC, if it is much below freezing I
> >usually have to drive about 6 miles prior to shifting. The dealer says
> it
> >is normal operation. (But, the also said running a stop sign because of
> >no brakes was normal!)
>
> shop. My trannie shifted like I thought it would. No matter what the temp
> was. After I got it back. It no longer shifted the same way. Even at 50
> degrees. It stays in 2nd gear for about 10 miles. No matter what my speed
> is. Why would replacing a reverse band change the way it shifted. Also,
> should I take it back to the dealer for additional service.
>
> BTW, the reason for the recall was this. I have a Snow Plow Package and do
> push snow commercially. It turns out that the reverse band was not
> sufficient for all the backing up a snow plower does. Hence the
> replacement.
>
> Bill
> hailm...@aol.com
>
> Don't Buy Cybersitter!
I'm sorry, but I fell to the floor laughing when I read about the dealer
telling you it was normal to run stop signs wth no brakes. That's
classic! But then I thought "You know, he's right! When you have no
brakes, it WOULD be normal to run stop signs!" However, I'm sure your
concern at the time was for safety and wasn't vested in "normalcy". I
agree you should seek another opinion if this dealer has this attitude.
BTW, from all I understand[not much by some standards] the transmission
does have some safeguard for proper operating temp before shifting. Hope
you have better luck in the future with yopur truck AND your dealer. ;-)
hailm...@aol.com
Bill A
The trans oil temp must be at least 70 degrees before you'll get a 3-4
shift and 130 degrees before the torque conv will lock. You should get
normal 1-2-3 shifting regardless of the temp unless theres something
wrong
with your tranny. Tell your dealer to read his shop manual.
I live in CT and the only time I get a delayed 3-4 shift is when
the temp is under 20 degrees and even then it'll warm up within 5 min.