This simple guide will tell you how to deal with the Dodge Ram 2500 transmission shifting problems.
The transmission is not shifting correctly in automatic transmission and a 5.2 l V8 engine.
The signs are frequently you can’t shift at first gear no matter how much gas you give.
In this case, the problem occurs because of a lousy governor pressure solenoid.
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| Governor solenoid |
How To Fix Shifting Problems on Your Dodge Ram 2500
1. Check the Condition and The level of Transmission Fluid
The way you verify the transmission fluid volume level might be a little bit distinctive for each vehicle. So, check it with the engine warm and the transmission in park or neutral.
You will get a more exact reading after you start the engine and put the transmission in two different gears.
After that, wait five seconds between each gear and stop the engine.
You can use a dipstick to check the fluid levels, whether the fluid is too much or less. For example, if you observe that the transmission fluid is pink, it’s a good color. Another good sign is if you don’t smell bad or anything.
So it isn’t shocking when people have transmission or engine problems. The first thing they do is just put some oil in it, thinking that’s the cause of Dodge Ram 2500 transmission shifting problems.
You don’t want to see the color of the transmission fluid is dark. However, you also want to give the transmission fluid the old test. It’s a smell test. I just looked it up in the manual smells. It’s a bad sign if it smells burnt or simply unusual.
2. Use Scanner To Get Transmission Code
You can use a little scanner to get the check engine code and need the key in the on position. After that, the scanner will show you the code (a transmission code) according to your repair manual. Finally, you can find the definition of that code. For example, governor pressure is not met to target at 15 to 20 psi.
You will find the transmission shifting problems because the part responsible for governing the pressure inside your Dodge Ram transmission is a governor pressure solenoid.
In this case, the sensor is responsible for sensing the pressure from your governor solenoid.
You can say that the governor pressure solenoid output becomes less than 15 or more than 30 psi, which gives you trouble. So, if you have a Chrysler or a Dodge and have the same issue, you must find the code for your transmission.
To get the governor solenoid, you need to drop the transmission pan. You’re not going to replace it, but you’ll get tips and tricks you can use when installing a new gasket so you don’t have any leaks later.
Next, remove five bolts on the pan and catch all the transmission fluid that’s going to drip out, and after letting the drops of transmission fluid for five to ten minutes, you can remove the pan. You will need a Torx t20 socket to release two bolts that hold the transmission filter.
3. Clean the pan
You can use a scraper or some razor blades and remove as much of the previous gasket material from the pan as possible. Next, clean everything up with a brake cleaner and towels. It’s super essential the lip of the pan is completely clean and dry.
To address the areas where you have some bare metal showing, you can spray those areas with some epoxy paint and let it dry.
4. Remove Governor Body Out of the Transmission
Furthermore, you must remove the governor’s solenoid body from the transmission. First, look at the connector for the governor pressure solenoid. You have to take out the tab and then pull the connector out. Then, it would help if you pulled out the red safety tab, but removing the governor’s body will be easier to get to the sensor’s connector first.
You must remove four 11-mm bolts and two t20 screws to do that. To take off the red safety tab, you first need to push up on a little clip on the bottom and then push the red bill out. When it is out, go on a little black tab on the connector, and you can pull it off.
Also, you can check the condition of the gasket for a governor’s body. For example, you can check if it is in excellent shape and stuck in a good position.
If yes, then it should be OK to reuse.
5. Check the solenoid Condition
Alright, you get the governor’s body out of the transmission. Next, you must take out the bracket on top of it, pin it, and pull it out quickly. Check the solenoid intake. Usually, it is pretty much completely clogged up. But since you found these cheaply online, you will not risk it and prefer to simply clean and reinstall it back in the transmission.
Next, you need to take out the sensor and get some transmission fluid on the o-rings of your new solenoid. Then, put the bracket back on.
Get some transmission fluid on your new detector, slide in, and they’ll line up your bracket with your sensor. After that, push in your new solenoid until it fits into place, and you’re about to put it back on the transmission.
6. Reinstall The Governor Solenoid
The installation has to be pretty much the reversal of removal. Just put the connector back on the safety tab, make sure it clicks in place, and reinstall your connector for your solenoid.
Next, you can start all your screws and bolts by hand and use a wrench on the screws.
At least don’t use an impact, do it carefully. After that, use a torque wrench to torque bolts to 100-inch pounds each. So, the screws are mainly here to keep down the bracket.
For the filter, ensure you get some transmission fluid on the seal; hand tight is also OK.
7. Reinstall Painted Transmission Pan
Now you’re ready to install a new gasket and newly painted transmission pan, and this is the part where anybody’s got questions about how to do it properly.
So if you’re reusing your old pan that’s not perfectly flat, you can always use the good RTV silicone in an automatic transmission. Note that substances in your automatic transmission fluid will quickly eat away at other RTV silicones.
You put RTV silicone, put a bead down in the center, and go around every bolt hole, all the way around the pan on the pan side. So you never put it on the transmission set because you don’t need it.
If you’re going to be using a new high-quality pan, then your problems are going to be less. But you want to use just a tiny amount of RTV around the corners that both help seal it around and hold in place your gasket.
Also, ensure the gasket is nice and flat on the pan when installing it. It’s the most crucial thing when it comes to preventing leaks.
You should also check the bolt holes; the metal around it should be completely flat before putting RTV Silicone. Sometimes, people over-torque the pan bolts when trying to stop leaks, and they bend the metal right around the bolt holes. If you find such a case, get something flat underneath it, gently tap it in, and make it even.
Next, the critical part is laying down your new gasket. You want to make sure you lay down nice and flat as you can. Next, ensure you line up all the bolt holes and are ready to put this back on.
First, you can use the two bolts on the sides by hand, so the pan is in place. You don’t want to run it down all the way, and you can move it just in case you need to make adjustments.
Next, you can give about 72-inch pounds and start from the center to the other side. It would help if you waited an hour before you torque the bolts down to factory spec on the bar at 13 foot-pounds, and you can work from the center again.
Next, you should wait another two or three hours or better, let it sit overnight, and then you can refill it with the new transmission fluid.
7. Refill The Transmission Fluid
According to the repair manual, if you drop the trans pan, collect the fluid, and air filter, you’re only replacing about one and a half quarts of transmission lift. So that’s how much you need to add to this transmission.
8. Start the Engine
Next, you can start the engine and get the car up to operating temperature. Then you run the gear selector over all the gears, wait about five seconds between them, and do this twice.
After that, control the trans fluid level, and you can add more transmission fluid if necessary.
You must then check for leaks around the transmission pan, and if there’s no problem, you can do the test drive and see if you have fixed your shifting issue.
You have successfully repaired transmission shifting problems if the shift from first gear to second gear feels smooth.
Sometimes, you require a more advanced scanner to read your vehicle’s transmission control module codes. It’s essential because that’s how you’re going to be able to recognize your transmission matter accurately.
Well, that’s how to fix Dodge Ram 2500 transmission shifting problems, and hopefully, this information is helpful for you.