Came to a complete stop could not steer and the engine shut off the truck shuttered?

QUACK_1

MEMBER
2004 DODGE RAM
5.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
157,000 MILES

Hemi, 545ref transmission, and nv273 transfer case.

Started today, while driving in parking lot truck came to complete stop, could not steer at all, stalled motor, and after restarting was banging when put in gear (forward and reverse) but gained steering back, drove home very slowly approximately twenty miles. Took to local mechanic. Flushed transmission. No metal in original fluid.
Went to put in drive. Banged into gear and could not steer again, took a look underneath. Front of rear driveshaft was banging. Now what I think is happening is that the transfer case is engaged but light is not on. Would explain no steering. Can a transfer case be partially engaged? Where the solenoid does not show it is actually engaged when I parked in back of shop I could not steer at all (owner had to move his vehicle so I could park it). Hopefully it is this on fixed income and cannot afford major repairs.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,653 POSTS

You can't steer the truck when the engine shuts down, and it sounds like the torque converter has gone bad not allowing the engine to freewheel when at a stop. This is why the driveshaft banged when you put it into gear. Here are two videos that we show you what needs to be done to change the torque converter out. I have also left specific instructions in the diagrams below for your truck.

https://youtu.be/ZC7xHVMKLRw

and

https://youtu.be/3vJAojsrfuU

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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