99 Ram 318 and 46RE

It seems like it takes a long time to shift. The motor sounds loud and the truck doesn't shift from about 20 or so until above 50. This isn't something I drive very much and my son is home and is telling me it seems like it is a problem.

I have no idea if this is normal or if I just slowly got used to it.

Is there something I can do to test if it is operating properly and he is just complaining about normal operation?

I looked online and there are a lot of suggestions about when it won't go into gear, but nothing about just taking a long time to change.

Thanks

Solved... I think.

Watched a video on how the Throttle cable is supposed to function and thought maybe it is in the end attached to the transmission.

I got under the vehicle and found the linkage and tried to move it with my hand. It did not wish to move. Took a little bit of effort and a few times of pushing and pulling, but I got it freed up enough to move. Sprayed it with some rust penetrant and moved it and worked the penetrant into it. Redid the adjustment up top and took it for a drive. Definitely shifts better now and seems to be operating pretty well. I guess 21 years of rust and grime was preventing it from moving. I will take it into the garage and have them look over the linkage, maybe it should be replaced if possible.

I think I would start with adjusting the kickdown cable. Its pretty simple and might be the issue.
There is also an electric solenoid inside the pan that has an effect on the upshift rpm, but it gets pretty expensive when you start getting into the solenoids. Gene

I will do it in the am and see how it runs for the day.


That did not go well. So now the Throttle Valve cable prevents the accelerator from functioning.

Here is what happened. To adjust the cable, which was very loose, I needed to pull the slack from behind the clip. Pulling from behind, the entire section pulled out of the rear of the tube. Now the only play in the cable is the slack and the accelerator will not go all the way. Somehow I knew this wasn't going to be a simple fix...

I ran into that the 1st time I adjusted mine as well. It seems as though I pulled too much slack out of my linkage without knowing it. I had to undo it, push the gas pedal to the floor from inside the cab, and start over. I think it took me 3 times before I realized that cable pulls the throttle cable pretty easily. You really have to watch to be sure your not pulling the throttle cable as you remove the slack. Gene

There is something I am missing.

No matter what I do, the Throttle Valve Cable prevents the accelerator from operating all the way.

I wish I had never opened the hood.

This might help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdJ2LSemTXI
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...C0E328B838&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

I watched that before I tried.

If you see in the video, the cable passes through a bracket holding a tube like passage.

This is where my problem lies. To take the slack out, there was a lot, when I pulled back on the cable the entire piece came out of the tube.

The cable will not move through that tube now. So when I put the clip back on, the cable is limited to only taking out any slack left and does not allow the accelerator to fully operate.

I know there is something else wrong, but don't have any idea what it is.

I have an appointment at a garage next friday. I will get him to do it and see if he can tell me what I screwed up on it.