Hi all. I have a 2002 2500 Ram pickup with 46RE transmission. This is the old body style pickup. About 10 months ago tranny went. I had that tranny rebuilt and new torque converter. Lasted for 2 weeks and went again. Then had a brand new one installed. After about 3 weeks it started acting up - At about 30-35 mph in 3rd gear if you slowly accelerated the whole truck would jerk like your driving over washboard. I think this was the torque conv. kicking in and out. This was only happening in the morning when the tranny was cold and outside temp was at 0 degrees celcius or colder. As the outdoor temp increased(spring and summer) no more problems. Later in the summer driving at hiway speeds with cruise set at about 70 mph rpm would jump up about 200 rpm for just a second. There was no rime or reason to when this would happen and it is still happening. Also if I take a 90 degree corner to the right and accel hard there is a grinding sound that the original tranny made just before it died. The guys here at the dodge dealer don't have a clue and tell me I have to wait for it to pile up before they'll change it again. Computer has all updates. Any ideas sure would be appreciated.
PS: When outside temp hit about -30 and colder(oh ya..I live in northern Canada)tranny won't shift into O/D. My 2001 had a sensor that could be relocated to side of rad to fool computer but this 2002 has that sensor right in the tranny....Anything I can do to still have O/D in this nasty cold weather?

Thanks much, 2Tall

Sometimes with these...Its posible for someone to install the tranny and the TV cable isn't set for high enough oil pressure. The tranny can about "act" normall but, is really running around with low oil pressure. Its hard to tell with out a pressure gauge on it. As the computer will give you the correct "shift timing" but the "shift feel" will be lacking. It can be hard to detect this by the seat of your pants. Especially, if you don't just "do" trannys. Average heavy line person may not pick it up. And the owner will never, till its cooked.

Its best, I think, to leave the TOT(transmission oil temp) sensor alone but, you could put a resistor inline or something. I'm not sure off hand if you would need more resistance or less to fool the TCM.

A couple aftermarket shift kits really address the TCC(torque converter clutch) issues nice also. Unfortunatly the dealer can't install them.

*Just a couple thoughts from a tranny guy*