Automotive Forums

My '05 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad SLE (geez that's a mouthful) can be real sluggish in the mornings. But not consistently-- for instance the last two mornings I dragged the old camcorder out to video tape the problem and it hasn't done it. That's a nice fix... but doubt it is permanent.

The issue is it tries to shift out of first, maybe a bit early like around 10 mph, and it just slips. Pulling the selector down to '1' will make it gear down and grunt which sounds a whole lot better, because when it is slipping it just feels like a giant leaf blower, just blowing air in the engine compartment instead of actually getting going. When it finally 'lubes' up and gets going it is back to the nice Dodge rumble.
The dealer says the tranny is at the latest firmware.
The fluid & filter has been changed (OEM filter).
I noticed recently that I can rev the engine while it is in park and it will either sound like it is supposed to (Dodge rumble) in which case it while drive like it is supposed to, or it won't (leaf blower) and it won't go.
That's odd, to me. I wouldn't think a transmission problem would manifest itself in the engine sound while it is in park. Could it?
Could I be hearing an empty transmission fluid pump or something?

I've read in some other forums that some Dodge transmissions need a filter with a "anti-drainback" valve. I'm familiar with those on engine oil filters, but not the square in-pan transmission filters. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Last question: I'm not entirely certain what tranmission model I have because the sticker in the glove box is faded. I think it is a four speed-- & I have a tow/haul button on the end of the gear selector. Can anyone identify it for me?

Thanks!  

The only difference in manual 1st and D 1st is when you pull it down in manual 1st you are applying the band, so i suspect a problem with low line pressure or a problem with the rear clutch drum.The anti drain back valve is in the cooler line going to the rad.You should have the 46RE trans.The converter will cause a low line pressure ,as will the EPC.  

I think I follow you.
The drainback valve prevents the radiator from draining back into the tranny/pan. So that should not be the problem.

I should look at low-line pressure issues or rear clutch drum. Specifically the torque converter because it can cause a low line pressure. What can be the issue in the torque converter, what should I look for with that?

And what is the EPC?

Thanks-- I appreciate the quick posts, that is awesome.  

You have made more of an effort to maintain your truck's transmission than most owners.
Did this trouble start after the transmission fluid and filter change?
The reason I ask is because transmissions, unlike motors, are very finicky about what fluid you use.
And just pulling the trans pan and dumping what you see there does not get out all of the old fluid. And mixing fluid types for a lot of vehicles is a no-no.

EPC  stands for electronic pressure control.  

It started about the time I did the first engine oil change after buying it, so about 39,000 miles. Probably a coincidence.
I took it to the dealer, hoping it was under warranty, but it wasn't. I would hope that the Chrysler dealer knew to use the right fluid... So I was already in the for the diagnostic fee and paid them for the fluid and filter change.
But maybe I'll do another one. Is there a better brand of trans filter to use?  

funds  are  low

If you had the dealer do the change then I would assume that he drained all of the fluid out. They have a set up for pumping all the old stuff out.  Being a dealer he would have used the recommended fluid and OEM parts. You can't do better than that.
Has anyone ever scanned the Engine control module and Body control to see if there were any codes stored?? That little dash lite does not always go on by itself when a code gets stored.  

Is it possible???
I changed the engine oil last weekend using a good synthetic oil with recommended weight and good brand filter.
Problem is gone?
double-u tee eff?  

Is the torque converter lubed by the engine oil? Could the oil filter been draining and preventing proper lubrication of that or something else?

Eh, I'm just glad to not have this problem anymore
 

I have never seen that in a transmission "fix" data base, (changing  motor oil to fix a trans problem.) No the torque converter is not lubed by the motor,  it is lubed by the front pump of the trans.  I wouldn't get to excited over this,  It is not a real fix. Unless you have a bad wire from the PCM to the trans that you accidentally moved, just doesn't make sense to me. Did you say that the problem started after a recent motor oil change?  

The problem did indeed start last summer about the time the oil was changed.
I rode the cycle more than I drove the truck all summer so it is hard to pinpoint it to the day, but I believe it is very close.