gremlin2033

i have a 94 dodge ram 1500 with a 46re transmission in it and the transmission feel sluggish and from what i am told my truck when it in park it will start out in first but when i get to a stop sign and it has to shift down it dosent go back into first i had valve bottle change out and the torque converter changed out what are my opinions or any suggestion i put out like a grand already and have got anywhere

SABL

Hi gremlin2033,

I'll see if I can get some help. There is a member that has been into his 46re more than once, and can prolly give you some help.

gremlin2033

ok because i need all the help i can get

kinbard

Not much of an auto tech, but I recently had a problem with a dodge caravan (come to find out, dodges have many issues with transmissions). I had a similar issue, then one day my trans completely went out. Turned out, there is some type of line from the trans that goes through the radiator that had developed a hole. So, fluid ran into the radiator, and water ran into the trans. Like I said, I'm no auto guru, but through the hell I went through I say its worth a look to make sure. Needless to say, we ended up getting rid of the van and buying a new one. Just wasn't worth the expenditure.

SABL

Hi kinbard,

Sorry to say, but Chrysler has had issues with the trannies in many vehicles. The problem you describe is not familiar to me but is mild compared with other complaints. Your actual problem would involve the integrity of the cooling system with the fault being in the radiator. Cross contamination is never good but can be corrected... if caught in time.

Thanks for the thoughts and have a very Merry Christmas!!

kinbard

Yeah, I researched that, but find only one compaint about our model, so hopefully we will dodge any bullets. Overall, I like the Caravan. It just wasn't cost effective for us to repair everything and take chances with a rebuilt or used trans, or spend a whole lot more for a new one. So, for peace of mind in regards to my family, we bought a new (for us) van. 2004 Town and Country Tourning.
My dad worked on cars his whole life, and didn't know what was going on ( I was explaining it to him via phone). He talked to a mechanic buddy who told him to have me check it. First time I had ever seen it. Good luck to all.

SABL

Very good luck to all, indeed.

I have heard of problems with the mid '90's transaxles. That might be resolved by now... I don't know. I put my money on the good old rear wheel drives. Dealing with any automatic tranny is going to involve close observation to detail.... the actual engine of the vehicle is minute compared to the method of getting the power to the drivetrain. The engine is very simple..... the tranny can bite you.

I currently run a Ford E4OD..... almost bullet-proof.....236K miles. Purrs like a kitten...roars like a lion when needed, but loves gas with the 5.8L Windsor engine.

Good for prisoner transport....... it is an old state vehicle. Still has "514" painted in the roof.

olemiss74

Hey I have been into my 46re tranny a good bit and I would be glad to help you find the problem. I would like to know more info on what is going on in your trans. I have been working on another tranny by Allison and I just happen to have a 1998 Dodge Ram SLT on one of my lifts at work I can tell you that the most problems with these trannies are the check valves, the spool valves ( usually the 3rd and 4th shift spool valve), overtorqued valve body bolts this leads to shift valve sticking, but before I go any further I would need to get some good descriptions of what is going on.
I again will be glad to help you!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

2strokedetroit

it could be a pcm/computer problem its odd that it starts out in one but dosent go back in i wouldnt think that it actually it has to do with the tranny then but it could be some kinda sensor then wat gear does it typically put its self in when u come to a stop sign 2?

olemiss74

sorry, i have not been online, but i have been busy with my little ones (Family First). I have been thinking about your tranny. I remember you stating that it starts off in first but doesnt downshift when you come to a stop sign and start back off in first when you put your foot on the gas pedal. Is there anyway for you to have a scan tool plugged into your vehicle? (your truck will be OBD l). I would like to find out from you what the datastream is showing. If you dont have any way of doing this (because 99% of the time most people must go to a dealership to have scan tools used on their vehicles and this will cost at least a 1 hour diagnostic charge and that is usually 75 to 110 dollars an hour). I am thinking if the truck will not downshift to first there is something, whether its 1st or 2nd shift solenoid is bad ( this is what directs fluid pressure in a elec. controlled tranny) or a sticking or damaged spool valve. 2strokedetroit also makes a valid point in that it might be something with the pcm. Let us hear back from you! take care!

gremlin2033

ok what it is doing is when in park to drive it is in first then when driving and stopping at a stop sign it is in second and feels sluggish as if it was in second starting out from a stop sign and when in drive the rpms sometimes go to like 2 1/2 and then shifts but if a manually shift it shifts fine i had the valve body changed out so i ruled the selinods out and i have put a new torque converter because i was hearing that it might have been that but it isn't i have an aamco that does free diagnostics but if you guys can give me some idea's that i am not getting ripped and i read on the net a guy was having similar problem and it was a gov pressure sensor and some other gov sensor but his was and 01 so plz give all that help u can

olemiss74

has anyone ever been into the tranny (I mean has it been torn down removing torque converter, hydraulic pump, clutch packs, bands, reaction carrier, etc.) If you dont fix the problem or find out by tommorrow evening I will scan the 94 dodge service manual and figure out how to put the pages on the forum. We are going to fix this I dont leave a job until I know it is FIXed! Take Care.

BUDFAN8

ive seen this problem before.

had a friends dads truck doing this, my bro in law is the tranny man so i dont have much info to add here. anyway we priced him rebuilding the tranny and he opted to trade the truck in for another so i never got to see the actual problem. ill see if i can get some info from bro in law to see if he had an idea of what is happening.


Bud

gremlin2033

ok, I bought that transmission because my last on when i put the transmission in myself. When i changed i did clean out the cooler lines. the truck ran fine for awail but then when problem started like with no warning i was driving in town came to a hill barelly made it up. i took to a so called tranmission garage and said i was 1 1/2q of atf low he put some in and didnt change he said it might be valve body told him to change it out still didnt fix the problem and i have a different guy change out torque converter and still same thing other then the valve body being changed i dont know if it was ever apart i was told the transmission had around 65k on it and the truck only has 109k on it and in good shape and i am not good with taking apart transmission but i never tryed it


thanks for all your time and effort and trying to help me try to get and idea of the problem

olemiss if you want i can try to figure out how to private message you