I recently had to replace the solenoids on my 01 Ram with the 46re and while I was in there, I installed a Trans Go shift kit. I've installed several of these including one in my old 99 Ram and it helped with several things. On this one the shifting is so smooth that you can barely feel it (it feels smoother than before the shift kit install). I know that the computer fights the shift kits on these for smoother shifts but I think that something is amiss based on past experience. Is there anything else that may need to happen when you replace all the solenoids to reset everything? I've already cleared the old codes from the OBD II. The kickdown works properly. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

First thing I would do is hook a pressure gauge up to read line pressure. This is the middle port on the passenger side, it comes out at an angle. you should have 55 or so stock and 75-80 with the kit. Then get back to us.
Did you do anything else at the same time?
( I know of people who do several things from different kits thinking all are good. That is wrong, follow the kit exactly.!!

I will check that and get back - I followed the shift kit instructions exactly including the line pressure spring replacement and adjustment. Thanks

I did the pressure test using the 46RE procedures. I tested in 1, 2 and DRive and noted results below. I didn't have a 300psi tester to test the variance between the accumulator and rear servo so I just tested the accumulator.
1000 RPM:
1 - 58 and with kickdown lever pushed down 92
2- 60 and with kickdown lever pushed down 92
1600 RPM:
D -65 and with kickdown lever pushed down about 105

I also found that the P1740 code was present before the test and cleared it. It must have come between when I replaced everything and after I had reset it afterwards. Concerned now that maybe the converter is beginning to fail or the o/d is on the way out. I have all gears just extremely soft shifts and I don't think that lockup may be occurring (don't feel or see the RPM change after 4th gear) but I haven't done any tests with that yet.

Anyone have any input - I appreciate any insights/help that anyone can provide.

A transgo kit will give you more pressure than 58. Something is wrong right there.
Redo the kit before you damage the clutches!

Which Trans-go kit did you use? Did the trans. shift good before the kit?

Thanks for the feedback - I used the TF OD Jr basic kit. When the solenoids failed (or what I thought was the solenoids) it lost all gears forward and reverse. It was shifting fine before that. I put the kit in while I had the VB out to replace all the solenoids and cleaned the VB as well.
Maybe the unit is on its way out or the line pressure adjustment is not right. I followed the instructions and replaced the single spring with the double spring for that step and the adjustment for the seat was just flush against the bracket. I suspect that there may be something more wrong here.

Well, looks like she's had it. Was coming back today from a quick run with it and she started hesitating going in and out of gear and slipping. There is a buzzing noise in forward/reverse gears coming from the bellhousing area - maybe the converted crapped out. It threw a P07ll trans temp code (but the TCC solenoid that sends that signal was just replaced). Need to decide whether I want to rebuild it (have only rebuild 3 speed torqueflites before and not the OD units) or whether to use an extra unit I picked up recently that was rebuilt and working fine according to the guy that pulled it ( I could tell it's been rebuilt).

Thoughts??

How many miles on it the one that crapped out ?

Did you install a resistor on the line up by the PCM < I'd have to dig out my old info to know which , to fool the PCM into think the line pressure is lower so the shift kit will actually work correctly ? I think your pressure should be higher than that , I have swapped VB's and seen over 150 psi, and higher, with the TV pushed full rearward.

A trans that is it's way south to begin with is only going to happen faster adding a shift kit , raising the line pressure should have firmed up the shifts, but you don't really have elevated line pressures by those readings ????

the front half of the trans is the same basically as a 727 , you need a couple of special tools for the OD section , you could just take the OD section to a trans shop and ask them to change out the OD clutches .

Thanks John - the one that crapped out has 130k on it. I never heard of having to fool the PCM on the trans temp. I never had that issue in my 99 sport with the same trans when I put the shift kit in, but I do know they changed the solenoids in 2000 so maybe it's different for an 01. The pressure may have been much higher than 105 but my gauge only went to 100. With all the other issues, I thinks it's a best bet to rebuild it or put the other one that I have in it since it is the same trans and has been rebuilt if all tests out ok.
I am not sure whether or not to bypass the check ball in the line that others recommend doing. I see no issues with it on this truck, but I plan on flushing the lines/cooler before I replace the unit. Thanks

You aren't fooling the temp you are fooling the pressure regulator.

Yes, you need a resistor to trick the PCM when you do a shift kit, to trick the computer into seeing the "right" pressures.

the 46RE is computer controlled, and the computer is a pain in the butt!

Get ahold of Martin Saine, aka MSaine he had made a name for himself in the Dakota R/T community for building quality torque converters and bullet proof 46REs.

He's a one man show though. sometimes slow on responding to emails, but always answers the phone when I've called. I can tell you he has good service and will take the time to answer your questions, even after he has your money and the parts have shipped.

email: MSaine1213@AOL.com

shop# 951-907-0434

Thanks 70 Cuda, I will try and get in touch with him. I wonder why my 99 didn't need a resistor to fool the PCM.

What are everyones thoughts on the check ball removal from the trans lines on these trucks? Are you able to flush the lines properly with the Trans out if the check ball is still installed?

Thanks

I think the problem is that most kits don't mention the resistor, and most folks don't know about that trick.

Send an email to TRANSGO's tech department. Tell them of your problems and see what they advise you to do.

The fact that you started with a trans that had lost all forward and reverse gears leads me to believe you had some real problems before you started, and the converter code you have reinforces that. It is common for these units to loose the converter clutch and this debris can easily restrict the filter causing your loss of pump prime and subsequent loss of gears. Even if you unplug the harness on a 46RE you will have forward and reverse provided the remainder of the system is OK. You won't need to add a resistor on this vehicle with that kit, no worry there.You will more than likely need to rebuild or replace this trans and when you do, replace the hose and one way valve in the cooler line and do a GOOD job of cleaning out the cooler and making sure it is unrestricted.

Thanks Greg - I spoke with Transgo - they noted that I would not need a resistor and that the recommended kit for the 46re was the TFOD - HD2 vice the TFOD-JR kit I've used. I used this on my 99 Ram and it worked ok. What I may do is check out the trans I got out of another 01 that was rebuilt, use my original VB and install the HD2 kit in it on top of the JR kit. Transgo also said that the JR kit won't increase line pressure but the HD-2 kit will. I've heard mixed opinions on the check ball removal. I will have to think more on that one.

I think you will be fine with the JR kit unless you want firmer shifts overall. Be carefull with the pressure increases, we have seen excess pressure cause issue with the governor pressure sensor on some RE series.