518 stuck in 2nd gear

A test gauge on the governor pressure test port will tell you if the governor is the problem, if the governor tests OK the problem is likely a stuck 1-2 shift valve.

I don't have the truck in front of me right now so just asking if witch port is for the govenor? Isn't there one for the OD and one for govenor on the extension housing?

I can't seem to find witch one is witch in AllmostData

8psi @ idle
12 PSI @ 50

Yes 50mph. I figured it was low so I pulled the governor and the little valve was stuck a little so I polished it up a little with some steel whool and it moves freely now. I hope thats all the problem was, now if I can figure out how the governor goes back together

Pictures and instructions here. http://www.scribd.com/doc/228727/Dodge-Trucks-TechTran-A500-42RH-A518-46RH-A618-47RH-Service-Manual

gov pressure has to be under 3 psi at stops in gear or it will not downshift to first

As Bill stated, the high pressure at idle is the reason it won't downshift and the low pressure at speed is the reason it won't upshift to 3rd. You need about 10 psi of governor pressure for every 10 mph.

Is there something in the VB that could cause this? There is no differance after all that.

On a side note I did notice the trans is a 94 and there is a recall for snow plows in 94, is there a way to update the spacer plate like the recall plate? Dodge won't sell me a plate and they won't install it because the truck is a 92 ramcharger, not the original one.

Take it to someone who knows what to do with it....your not putting brakes on it ..don't become a parts replacer it needs to be diagnosed ...correctly.

I am not new to this, I have rebuilt sucessfully many touque flites 3 and 4 spd, hydraulic and electronic. I am not a parts replacer, I am a profesional mechanic ASE master certified too, how many "parts replacers" do you know that happen to have a trans preasure tester or a very expensive Solus scanner? I also have enought spare parts in my garage to build another 4 of thease things from scratch but I just wanted to fix this one without building another and it has turned into fixing someone elses mess, just once in a while something comes along that just stumps a guy and so I figured a few more heads might be helpfull. Mabey I am just overthinking this and over looking something simple, so I thought I would ask for some ideas.

To the rest of you, THANK YOU SO MUCH for the help!

I noticed it has a shift kit in it, looks like a TF-2 with the updated preasure spring and stuff, mabey they screwed something up there

If it's not already in a little Nash Rambler, put it into a little Nash Rambler, look for a Cadillac, make sure your horn goes, Beep Beep, Beep Beep, Beep Beep Beep, pull up along side the Cadillac, roll down your window, and ask the driver of the Cadillac, "Hey Buddy how do I get this out of second gear........."



Good luck, and have a Happy Holidays.

this is a test only a test