1998 Dodge Ram repaired transmission

TISON55

MEMBER
1998 DODGE RAM
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
162,000 MILES

I bought this truck new, 1998 dodge 1500 dodge quad cab. Never pulled anything with it. 1 year ago installed new transmission, 3 months later having problems again. Took it to another shop, replaced transmission again. Drove it for a month, having started having problems again. Took it back. Mechanic says that the senors gave out, replaced new sensors new torque converter and he completely rebuilt transmission with all new parts. He took it out, didnt work. Said that computer was bad causing sensors to shorten out. He replaced computer still shorted out senors, put another computer in, same thing. What gives? Two computers later still not shifting properly. Rebuilt transmission twice within a 3 month period, with new parts. My cousin who is an a mechanic referred me to him and he is a good transmission mechanic. He has a good reputation. Please help.

3 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

First question. Which transmission do you have in the truck? What type of symtoms does your transmission show before it goes bad? Have the problems been the same with each unit? If you hook up to a mobile diagnostic unit, does the shifting pattern seem normal? Please advise>

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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 AT 4:31 PM

TISON55

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1 POST

Spoke to my mechanic, it is a 518 transmission. He says that the truck begins not to shift before it goes bad. It burns out the cylinoids. He says when he hooks it up to diagnositcs it shows shifting okay, then it burns out the cylinoids. He has replaced the govenor pressure switch three times with factory items. Like I said he has replaced the torque converter and rebuilt the transission with new parts. Twice. He just called me and said that it gives code 700.

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Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 AT 7:48 AM

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

Here's where we're at. The transmission listings for a 1998 Dodge Ram Van, wagon or Pickup is a 42, 44, 46 or 47RE. There is a 318 motor used in these vehicles, but nothing with the designation "518". Also, code 700 is just a diagnostic mode. Not a trouble code.
Does the transmission overheat, start to slip, burn out the clutch packs or what actually happens? I've checked to service bulletins on this year trans and found nothing, so yours is not a common problem. Is it burning out "all" the solenoids, or just the pressure regulator? Please advise.

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Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 AT 4:59 PM