Transmission not shifting into overdrive

Tiny
METCALFP
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE RAM
  • 5.9L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
My transmission will not shift into overdrive. Do I need to replace the transmission and will it damage the transmission if I keep driving it?
Monday, April 9th, 2018 AT 7:44 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Turning overdrive off is a normal condition when pulling a heavy trailer, so that will not cause damage. The place to start is with connecting a scanner that can access the Transmission Computer to see what it is reacting to. In particular, overdrive is typically inhibited until the transmission fluid reaches a specific temperature. If that temperature is incorrectly being reported as too cold, the computer will not allow shifting to overdrive.

Also, look if your truck uses a kick-down cable from the throttle body to the transmission. If it does, those are known for sticking and failing to return under spring tension. That will cause delayed up-shifts at too high a speed, and you may not be reaching the speed needed to overcome that and get into overdrive.
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Saturday, May 1st, 2021 AT 6:30 PM

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