School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD

Posted By: Dragula

School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/25/15 07:26 AM

My first diesel with an auto since my '98 I bought new, and I am already having problems and wish I would have had more time to find a stick....I hate auto's..

So what now, change the two solenoids in it or is there something else I should be looking at?

Posted By: RMCHRGR

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/25/15 09:12 PM

Quote:

My first diesel with an auto since my '98 I bought new, and I am already having problems and wish I would have had more time to find a stick....I hate auto's..

So what now, change the two solenoids in it or is there something else I should be looking at?

No codes? You checked fluid, right? They can be fluid sensitive sometimes.

Does it do it at a particular speed or is it random? Any other clues? Possibly a chafed wire somewhere. Know anyone with a DRB/Starscan? Might need to take it for a ride with the scanner and watch too see if something comes up.

When I was working, I replaced enough solenoids in transmissions but usually there was some sort of associated code. TCM is up to date with latest flash?

Posted By: Dragula

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/25/15 09:18 PM

Quote:

Quote:

My first diesel with an auto since my '98 I bought new, and I am already having problems and wish I would have had more time to find a stick....I hate auto's..

So what now, change the two solenoids in it or is there something else I should be looking at?

No codes? You checked fluid, right? They can be fluid sensitive sometimes.

Does it do it at a particular speed or is it random? Any other clues? Possibly a chafed wire somewhere. Know anyone with a DRB/Starscan? Might need to take it for a ride with the scanner and watch too see if something comes up.

When I was working, I replaced enough solenoids in transmissions but usually there was some sort of associated code. TCM is up to date with latest flash?

I am thinking I might have melted a wire with a heat lamp trying to get it unfrozen a couple weeks ago, but the it only looks like the outer plastic on it melted. Not even sure what the wire does...And I can't remember when this started acting up, before or after.

Either way anything after 40mph, it drops out of fourth, if I am above 50 where the convertor locks, both drop out. No codes....

Did I mention I hate auto's

Posted By: VL21

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/25/15 11:02 PM

My first thought is TPS, but I am not a diesel guy, maybe the 03 doesn't even have one ...

Attached picture 8407666-iconfacepalm.gif

Posted By: RMCHRGR

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/25/15 11:38 PM

Quote:

My first thought is TPS, but I am not a diesel guy, maybe the 03 doesn't even have one ...

I was going to say that but you would probably have a code and likely other symptoms. Could be pending if it's intermittent but it sounds like the problem is present all the time.

Does it go into limp mode at all? Seems weird that you would have a symptom like that and no codes. Batteries/charging system good?

Might be a wheel speed or one of the shaft speed sensors. If any of those drop out, the trans may not know road or engine speed. Can't recall if you get codes for those, probably but you might not. You would have to look in the TCM or ABS systems with a scan tool to monitor them. Not sure if you can do it with a Modis, might need a DRB.

Again, see if you can find someone with a scan tool, it's going to be the most efficient way to narrow this down. It sounds like an electrical problem. Could also be the bus going down but that would likely lead back to a wiring issue. Might be a good time to figure out what that wire you melted is for... where was the wire?

BTW, if you go after one of those wheel speed sensors be aware that they tend to seize so proceed with care.

Posted By: John_Kunkel

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/26/15 12:00 AM

Are you sure it's dropping out of OD or could it just be the converter unlocking? How much rpm increase? Read the link below.

http://www.kentsoil.com/dodgebug1.htm

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/26/15 04:55 AM

reading through that link it pretty much refers to the VP equipped trucks from 98.5 to 2002. Lot of work prescribed there for something a/c duct foil tape will fix.

I HIGHLY doubt that RF noise is the cause of your woes, but also don't have many "been there/done that" scenarios relating to the DR trucks for "dropping out" of od or lockup. As mentioned, a good scan tool, and someone to monitor it properly is step 1 I'm thinking...

Posted By: dogdays

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/26/15 06:45 PM

IMHO it's worth a shot. As it doesn't cost much and doesn't add any new parts I can't see a reason not do it.
Seems like an hour job for someone who knows his way around an engine compartment.

R.

Posted By: Dragula

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/27/15 03:44 AM

Found a place locally that can scan it...Tomorrow its going for a test drive with a scanner on it. Guy was leaning towards the temp sensor unlocking it....We will see.

Posted By: Doc Schwarz

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/28/15 03:54 PM

Another one is the governor at the rear of the trans.
Temp sensor, APPS, wire connection problem at the trans,
bad grounds, RF problem by the alt, brake light switch,
TCC switch, just to mention a few.

Posted By: Dragula

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/29/15 02:26 AM

It was a loose ground wire to the PCM...From the previous week when I had to change both batteries in 4 degree weather...

Posted By: RMCHRGR

Re: School me on '03 Dodge Diesel trans dropping out of OD - 01/29/15 04:27 AM

Quote:

It was a loose ground wire to the PCM...From the previous week when I had to change both batteries in 4 degree weather...

Glad you got it figured out and that you didn't have to throw parts at it.