2001 Dodge Ram NO POWER

SHAY8198

MEMBER
2001 DODGE RAM
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

I HAVE NO POWER. ENGINE SPEED WILL INCREASE WHEN PUSHING ON GAS PEDAL WITH NO INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. SPEED GETS TO ABOUT 20 MPH. THEN RPMS JUST START CLIMBING. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THEN IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET A MONTH AGO. SO IT SAT PARKED FOR A MONTH.I JUST REPLACED THE HEADS, ALTERNATOR, PLUGS, PLUG WIRES AND BATTERY THIS WEEKEND.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,872 POSTS

Is the trans slipping? That is what it sounds like.

Let me know because I'm sure it's under warranty if it was just done.

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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 7:54 AM

SHAY8198

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the reply. Transmission work was done by a friend (who is a mechanic) on his own time. It shifts into drive and reverse just fine. Doesnt feel like its shifting hard. Fluid levels are ok.I got it to go to about 30 mph today. But when I let off the gas it felt like it had a govenor on it. Like it throttled itself down to about 20 mph really quickly.I've been told that the engine could be out of time. Or that the brakes could be sticking. Im going to check all the fuel system (pump, filter, and injectors)

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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 9:41 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,872 POSTS

Let me know if you need any direction with checking things. Also, if it is the brakes, they would be getting really hot and you would smell them. Also, let me know if the check engine light has come on. Finally, just for the heck of it, check the catalytic converter to see if it is plugged. That would cause a severe power loss. Many times they will glow red hot if plugged. However, that still doesn't explaine why the rpm's would increase but the truck doesn't speed up. Based on that, it sounds like the trans is slipping.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.
Joe

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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 11:05 PM

KANE8198

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I figured out that the throttle valve cable was broke. No I gain speed. But no reverse.I have checked the shift linkage. It only starts in park/neutral. But when I watched as someone else shifted. It did look a little loose/wobbly. Another friend suggested the "kick-down" bands. Does either of those sound like they could be a possible culprit. Really appreciate the help.

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Sunday, April 18th, 2010 AT 8:36 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,872 POSTS

No to the kick down. If the linkage seems loose, disconnect it and see if you can shift it into reverse by hand. NOTE: PLEASE MAKE SURE THE TRUCK IS SECURE. MAKE SOMEONE HOLD HIS FOOR IN THE BRAKE, HAVE THE PARK BRAKE SECRUED AND BLOCK THE TIRES. IF IT GOES INTO GEAR AND IS NOT SECURED, IT WILL MOVE AND RUN YOU OVER.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND.

Joe