1997 Dodge Truck transmission not shifting

BLAKETWHAMPTON

MEMBER
1997 DODGE TRUCK
5.9L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
198,231 MILES

I have a 1997 dodge ram 1500 sst While driving today I noticed I was accelerating slowly, my rpms went to about 3300 and it wouldnt shift, I slowed down and it did shift when I next sped up but the shift was clean and soft so I got got to my wrestling practiseabout a mile a way, it did the Same thing on the way back but shifted at a higher rpm and speed so I checked my fluid level after running it through all the gears twice and it was a little high however I had not added any, it was the correct color and did, t smell burnt at all but it was a bit bubbly, I was not in overdrive while this happened. I have never had any trouble from my truck before other than a leak in my power steering. It was our first cold day Below fifty all day and night and it has rained for the past two days. Could be a dirty solenoid from my power steering leak or am I in trouble? I am a college wrestler so I really cannot afford a new tranny right now! Any advice would be awesome, thanks!

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Check for a sticking kick down cable. You pull on it by pressing the accelerator pedal, then a spring pulls it back. The cable can get gummed up so the spring isn't strong enough to pull it back. Being stuck in that position tells the valve body in the transmission that you're accelerating much harder that you really are and it should raise the shift points.

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Friday, October 10th, 2014 AT 10:42 PM

BLAKETWHAMPTON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Alright man ill do that, but im not too mechanically inclined so would you be able to tell me where I might be able to locate that?

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Saturday, October 11th, 2014 AT 8:17 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

On top it connects to the throttle body. The accelerator pedal cable and cruise control cable usually attach on top of a quarter-round cable guide, side by side, and go toward the rear of the engine. The kick down cable usually attaches on the bottom of that guide. It also runs to the back, but then it goes down under the truck.

Underneath you'll find it attached to a lever on the driver's side of the transmission, right above the middle of the left side of the transmission pan. If you can't find it there, have a helper move the shift lever back and forth. Block the wheels or be sure they keep the brakes applied. You'll see the shift lever move back and forth. That one and the kick down lever are stacked one on top of the other.

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Saturday, October 11th, 2014 AT 11:47 PM