tranny problem?

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD with a Magnum 5.2L V8 engine and 4 speed automatic transmission. High miles, 114,000. I am having a problem at one set of stop lights. They are about 50ft apart and timed about 4 seconds apart. When I start out from the first one I have to stop right away at the second one and wait a few seconds until it changes to green. For the past several weeks, whenever I try to accelerat at the second light, the RPM go up, but the transmission doesn't ingage right away. When it does catch, it shoots me forward. I can avoid this set of lights,(and I often do) but that's just avoiding thte problem. Any ideas? I am also having problems with the soft plugs. All but the 2 at the back of the engine were replace 2 years ago, not the back 2 are starting to leak. Should I just get a rebuilt engine and tranny put in or fix it as I go. I love my Dodge and it's paid for.

That engine still has a lot of life left in it...

That engine still has a lot of life left in it...


Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear. I waited a long time to get my Dodge, and it was well worth the wait!

Flush, fluid, & filter required often with Dodge trannies. Also recommend Lucas additive. Mine is a 99, and I had problems with hard shifts and holding back. The maint. fixed it.

I have the same 1999 dodge 1500. My transmission was doing the same thing. Apparently there are two speed sensors that can be changed out to correct the problem. If you speedometer didn't work from 0 - 35 your problem would be exactly like mine.

$272.00 with labor to have them changed out. Good luck!

Have an honest and knowledgeable shop do a line pressure test on the transmission. This will NOT necessarily be the dealer. It is quick and not expensive to do, but make certain it is done in accordance with the Dodge service manual. If any of the line pressures are low, this could cause your problem. The answer my be as simple as changing the fluid and filter. Make CERTAIN to use the appropriate Dodge fluid for your transmission, not generic auto parts store fluid. Many transmission techs are adamant that the Dodge tranmissions are sensitive to this, and will fail prematurely if the Dodge fluid is not used. However, the internal lip seals could be hardening and allowing fluid to leak past, and a fluid and filter change will not cure this problem. If this is the case, then the transmission will have to be disassembled. As a short term fix, if you have hardening of the seals, there are aftermarket additives that will sometimes rejuvenate the rubber seals and get you some additional service life. You may also have a front pump problem.

My personal experience is that most transmission shops, including the dealer, do not look past the odometer when diagnosing transmission problems. Over 85 thousand? Must need an overhaul. I have 288 thousand (not a misprint - 288 thousand) miles on mine, mostly highway, and had to learn automatic transmission procedures to fix my own because no one would look past the odometer. I found a TSB that addressed my symptoms and had to fix it myself.

Best of luck to you.

Geoff Peterson