My van is having periods of “pretend shifting”. Only way I know how to describe it. For a minute fraction of a second the sound of the engine makes me think it’s revving just slightly. When this happens I also feel a bit of drag, or drop in speed just for that fraction of a second.
It happens sporadically and at several speeds, I’ve had it happen at 25mph and at 65mph. It’s very slight but it’s repeatedly doing this with no pattern. It sometimes does this 20 or more times in a minute, sometimes it’s once or twice every 5 minutes or more.
I asked a parts person who thinks it’s the shift solenoid but after doing a bit of reading It sounds as if there can be multiple shift solenoids.
I have a 2000 3500 ram van, 5.9 liter Auto trans 4spd with the OD off switch in the end of the shifter. 85k miles.
Any idea what this could be?
No engine lights are coming on and I can’t get anything from taking it to a parts dealer and checking for codes.
Trans fluid looks clean and is full. I’ve thought of changing trans fluid and filter, if applicable. Once I get the money for enough fluid I am going to try that but if it might be something else I don’t want to just waste money on filter and fluid that will be replaced again.
thanks for any help.
I’m sorry to have to be asking questions and trying to figure this out myself but I am unemployed without benefits and I need to try to do things myself whenever I can.
Thanks for understanding.
First stab at the cat (no offense hellokit) would be a trans fluid and filter change. It could be the tranny itself or a computer glitch, a reputable shop should be able to isolate the problem if you do not want to start throwing parts at it.
All shops in driving distance want 150 diagnostic fee.
I’ll go ahead and try the fluid/filter. I hope that takes care of it.
I checked the book I have and it says nothing about shift solenoids and doesn’t give info on how to really rebuild transmission if I had to. rebuild kit is 250 with no solenoids. one solenoid is 50 dollars.
Would you really even consider attempting to rebuild the transmission by yourself? More diagnostics are called for. Some people say auto transmission rebuilds are not hard, I wouldn’t even try the trans but you could put the engine parts in a big pile and I could get it back together.
Get a hold of a Factory Service Manual and review whats involve with a auto trans overhaul. First lean heavy on the diagnostic section.
If I could afford it I’d just take it in to a qualified shop and pay to have it diagnosed and fixed. I can’t so I have to try what I can myself.
I’m no expert by any means, however, using books I’ve successfully rebuilt an engine, replaced another engine, and other odds and ends
My biggest trouble is, I do these things only when I have to, I don’t have all the years of experience of other folks and I forget what one thing is or another. Due to the sparseness of my experience my trouble shooting skills are next to zero.
When this started happening initially I wondered if it was an oxygen sensor giving trouble or something. I have done a tune up to no avail. I’ve tried injector cleaners to no avail.
I once worked with a fellow who could rebuild transmissions in 5 hours or less. it’s essentially replacing wearable parts. According to him, with instructions or with enough experience it’s not a bad job at all. If I still lived near him I’d be asking him the questions but I haven’t seen him in over 12 years.
Hoping the trans flush and filter does the job!
Is the van driveable? You are acting as if it is going to die on you. Don’t go for a bazooka when you need a pea shooter.
Have you disconneded the battery lately for any reason? This could affect the transmission shift pattern if the computer has to relearn them. Have you added any transmission fluid? The wrong type of fluid can affect the way the transmission shifts.
This could easily be a problem in a electronic control unit. Most Chrysler transmissions are electronically controlled.
Before you start tearing into things try to isolate what is really wrong. You may end up with a rebuilt transmission that still doesn’t shift properly.
Start small and work up. Change the filter and fluid. New fluid could do a miracle for you.
Unfortunately that description sounds a lot to me like a slipping transmission which means that the clutches are going, and that points to a rebuild. Cross your fingers.