99 Ram trans problem

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Sedanman

Sedanman

67-9 Valiant specialist
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My dad has a 99 Ram with 360 and electronic 727 trans 2wd. When he backs down the driveway,backs into the street,shifts into drive it will sometimes lock up and kill the engine. It doesn't happen all of the time and he is getting paraniod that he needs a new trans. He is retired,on a fixed income and the cheapest rebuilder he can find wants $1500. Has anyone heard of or had this problem and know what causes it? Thanks for any info you can provide.
 
IF its even a trans problem at all....... be carefull its not just something simple, like the idle air control motor....
 
He says it's the trans or something locking up and makes noise when it happens. I was finally able to witness it happen but wasn't close enough to hear anything that he heard. He says it acts like your going forward and suddenly throw it in reverse and kills the engine. It does start right up and drive normal after it happens
 
First thing I'd do is to check for stored fault codes. That should lead you in the right direction. To check you cycle the key 3 times on and off fairly quick and on the 3rd "on" you leave it on. Not sure if by 99 they were using the odometer to post the codes or if they still used the service engine light. When you cycle the key watch the odometer and see if it displays a code starting with P followed by 3 numbers. It'll be something like P512 (example) and may show more than 1 code. If the odometer doesn't show anything you'll have to watch the service engine light and count the flashes which is a little more tricky because their in groups of 2 and the ending code will be 55 (5 flashes, pause then 5 more flashes). Again, there may be more than 1 stored code along with the "55" ending code. When you get the codes call Autozone or your local auto supplier as most have a list of what those faults are. If it's a sensor bad or the converter is locking up unnecessarily it should store fault codes.

BTW: that's not a 727 transmission. The quit making 727's long before 99. It's an A518. Also known as a 46RE
 
actually autozone or some of the parts stores will read the codes for you...
 
I couldn't remember the right model trans,that's why I said the 727 version :). He used to rebuild transmissions before the electronic stuff came out and it has him puzzled.
 
Sedanman said:
I couldn't remember the right model trans,that's why I said the 727 version :). He used to rebuild transmissions before the electronic stuff came out and it has him puzzled.
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If he used to do transmissions he should be able to do a 46re. Their kinda old school electronic if you will. The main guts are basically 727 with a OD unit added on.

You might try taking it to Autozone like Tony mentioned to see if they'll read the codes for him. Easier than doing it that way.
 
Autozone should check the codes. A buddy had similar experience and it was identified as " a torque converter control solenoid fault." I believe it was an inexpensive repair (relatively.). Much less than a full rebuild. A code reader wold be the first place to start. Good luck





QUOTE=Sedanman;1970081307]He says it's the trans or something locking up and makes noise when it happens. I was finally able to witness it happen but wasn't close enough to hear anything that he heard. He says it acts like your going forward and suddenly throw it in reverse and kills the engine. It does start right up and drive normal after it happens[/QUOTE]
 
46RE is a 727 with an OD attached to it....not very hard to rebuild....actually have a nice video that shows you how to do the OD...pretty simple...but requires a couple tools due to the big spring in it...
 
solenoid bolts onto the valve body...is about a 40 dollar part....
 
Where did he purchase the solenoid from in case that is what it is?
 
Sounds like an engine running problem if it only does it in the morning.
I agree with checking codes before throwing parts at it.
 
no codes shown,he took it in. It only does this once in a blue moon
 
70aarcuda said:
actually autozone or some of the parts stores will read the codes for you...
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Last time I was in my local Autozone the guy behind the counter said they don't do that anymore and wanted to sell me a code reader. Could be he just didn't know any better.
 
ocdart said:
Last time I was in my local Autozone the guy behind the counter said they don't do that anymore and wanted to sell me a code reader. Could be he just didn't know any better.
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I think that's California specific. Had a parts counter guy say that in California you have to have a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) license to read the codes.
 
You have to think this through instead of making stabs in the dark:

Since there is a torque converter present of course, at no time, in any gear should there be a potential for something past the flexplate to stall the engine mechanically due to the slippage of the converter.....unless:

The converter clutch itself is locking. If it does that creates a direct mechanical link between the crankshaft and the output shaft of the transmission. It will stall the engine just like if you accidently popped the clutch on a manual trans.

GM cars in the '80's and '90's were famous for that.

So, I think the Torque Converter control solenoid is a very strong possibility for being the culprit here.
 
I recently had some similar trouble with my '98 46RE with the addition of a few other symptoms (ie. occasional bucking on the freeway, etc.). Initially, I noticed under a little bit of acceleration on wet pavement in reverse or drive there was a strange metal clunking sound. Either way, it didn't sound good. After checking the codes, I came up with a code 11 or 17 which indicated the speed sensor on the back of the tail shaft. I replaced it (cost about $20 at the dealer) and most of the issues went away. I haven't gotten on it on wet payments since so I don't know if that took care of that problem. Good luck diagnosing it.
 
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