dodge ram shifts funny when towing

[gonehuntin68]

a little help please, i have a 2001 dodge ram cummins, my tranny works fine while driving, when i tow my trailer and put the peddle to the floor it shifts up and down until i let off the peddle. I turn off the OD while towing, i have no mods just a little bigger tires, im lost

[FC]

It sounds like you need to get your truck into a shop to get diagnosed and repaired properly before you smoke the trans.

[Chadrick60]

 

[butcher98951]

My friend HAD the same dodge did the same thing had in the shop over a dozen times for it and they could never find the problam, ended up trading in off to a dealer

[huntnnw]

notorious issue with dodge and auto trans...they werent built for that amount of power..just about all of them will go.

[sisu]

There are after market transmissions out there that are nearly bullet proof. Here is one place and I know there are others. I believe there is one place on the west side in WA, one in Montana but for the life of me I can't remember their names. Here is a link for one Google seach
aftermarket trany

This place is in Spokane Valley  diesel power products

[huntnnw]

Diesel Autos are spendy! A guy I work with had his built for towing and I think it was near 4k   If ya tow alot get a manual!

[7mag.]

Dodge had some real issues with the auto trans prior to '04. My buddy has an '02 cummins and does a tranny service every year. He tows a lot. He has had only one small problem. It sounds like you may have a solenoid issue, I would get it looked at before it gets worse. I got rid of my '02 and got an '04 because I was paranoid about it.

[6x6in6]

Before you take your truck to the tranny doctor, try performing an APPS reset on your own:
APPS Reset Procedure
This procedure has shown to help 24 valve ISB engines. It is basically teaching the fly by wire accelerator on these trucks to reread the position of the pedal and it's limits. Most complaints this will help with is poor acceleration, improper shifting, bucking in 5 and 6 speeds. Has been known to increase fuel mileage in some instances.

1. Set parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cables on both batteries
3. Turn ignition key to run(to drain any remaining capacitors)
4. Let truck sit for 30 minutes( this is the recommended minimum)
5. Return ignition to OFF position
6. Reconnect both batteries and secure, not a timed event
7. Turn key to run position(not start) and depress accelerator pedal slowly all the way to the floor
8. Allow pedal to return to top position slowly
9. Turn ignition switch OFF
10.Release parking brake

[Buckmark]

Before you take your truck to the tranny doctor, try performing an APPS reset on your own:
APPS Reset Procedure
This procedure has shown to help 24 valve ISB engines. It is basically teaching the fly by wire accelerator on these trucks to reread the position of the pedal and it's limits. Most complaints this will help with is poor acceleration, improper shifting, bucking in 5 and 6 speeds. Has been known to increase fuel mileage in some instances.

1. Set parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cables on both batteries
3. Turn ignition key to run(to drain any remaining capacitors)
4. Let truck sit for 30 minutes( this is the recommended minimum)
5. Return ignition to OFF position
6. Reconnect both batteries and secure, not a timed event
7. Turn key to run position(not start) and depress accelerator pedal slowly all the way to the floor
8. Allow pedal to return to top position slowly
9. Turn ignition switch OFF
10.Release parking brake

11. Now drive the truck to your nearest Ford dealer and trade it in on a real truck.
(I could not help myself)

[6x6in6]

Before you take your truck to the tranny doctor, try performing an APPS reset on your own:
APPS Reset Procedure
This procedure has shown to help 24 valve ISB engines. It is basically teaching the fly by wire accelerator on these trucks to reread the position of the pedal and it's limits. Most complaints this will help with is poor acceleration, improper shifting, bucking in 5 and 6 speeds. Has been known to increase fuel mileage in some instances.

1. Set parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cables on both batteries
3. Turn ignition key to run(to drain any remaining capacitors)
4. Let truck sit for 30 minutes( this is the recommended minimum)
5. Return ignition to OFF position
6. Reconnect both batteries and secure, not a timed event
7. Turn key to run position(not start) and depress accelerator pedal slowly all the way to the floor
8. Allow pedal to return to top position slowly
9. Turn ignition switch OFF
10.Release parking brake

11. Now drive the truck to your nearest Ford dealer and trade it in on a real truck.
(I could not help myself)

Why on earth would any smart Dodge owner do such a thing?   
(I couldn't help myself either)

If the APPS reset does not solve the issue and your feeling mechanically inclined enough, here's the steps to test to make sure your APPS has the proper output voltage and the steps to adjust:

Many have found that correcting the output voltage from the APPS sent to the PCM has increased the throttle response, and boost. This calibration also adjusts the APPS for wear.

Instructions:

Tools: Digital Volt Meter, T-20 Torx bit, #1 phillips, 10mm socket

With the key on, engine off you need to probe the APPS wire to see where the voltage is currently set at.
The best location to probe the wire is on the PCM (Power Control Module) which is located on the passenger firewall behind the air intake.
You want the C1 connector, this is the connector closest to the engine
You want the orange wire with a dark blue tracer which is pin #23 (Please use a suitable backprobing adapter for your meter lead, do not pierce the insulation as this can lead to water intrustion/corrosion.)
Voltage should be somewhere around 0.5 volts,
At this point the voltage reading does not matter, it just has to be accurately written down for later reference

TURN THE IGNITION OFF ON THE TRUCK

Remove the black plastic cover off of your APPS. There are two plastic screws. One on the top and one on the front facing the radiator. It takes a little prying to pull it off.

Undo the 6-10mm bolts that hold the bracketry in place but DO NOT REMOVE THE CABLES!!

You will notice the APPS is on the back of the bracketry that you just removed, it is held in place by 2-T20 torx bit screws. These screws have a little bit of locktite on them so make sure you have a good socket and gently give a little tap with a hammer before attempting to loosen. Be very careful because these screws strip VERY easily and you only get one shot at them (VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT; They are VERY tight).

On the APPS you will find a white tag that gives you the information on what the APPS voltage should be.
After loosening the screws (do not remove) you can rotate the APPS clockwise or counter clockwise to get the adjustment (towards the front of the truck increases voltage and towards the rear of the truck decreases voltage)
The reading you took at the beginning of the process on pin #23 should match the white tag on your APPS. If it doesn't the adjust accordingly.

[CAMPMEAT]

My 2010 Ford F150 did the samething. Dealer couldn't find out what was what. Sold it and bought an 11 Silverado.

[6x6in6]

If either APPS reset or recalibrate solves your issue, your done. 
If it's a temporary fix and comes back to "hunting" between torque converter lock up/unlock then your APPS is on the way out.
The good news in it being a temp fix is the APPS is whole lot cheaper to replace than a tranny job.

[gonehuntin68]

thank you guys i will try these

[Chadrick60]

Before you take your truck to the tranny doctor, try performing an APPS reset on your own:
APPS Reset Procedure
This procedure has shown to help 24 valve ISB engines. It is basically teaching the fly by wire accelerator on these trucks to reread the position of the pedal and it's limits. Most complaints this will help with is poor acceleration, improper shifting, bucking in 5 and 6 speeds. Has been known to increase fuel mileage in some instances.

1. Set parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cables on both batteries
3. Turn ignition key to run(to drain any remaining capacitors)
4. Let truck sit for 30 minutes( this is the recommended minimum)
5. Return ignition to OFF position
6. Reconnect both batteries and secure, not a timed event
7. Turn key to run position(not start) and depress accelerator pedal slowly all the way to the floor
8. Allow pedal to return to top position slowly
9. Turn ignition switch OFF
10.Release parking brake

Thanks for the tip. I just performed this reboot on my 05 and made a noticable difference in throttle response. as well as power.

[TwoSixFourWins]

http://www.cumminsforum.com/    there should be a thread there that covers this issue. There is a lot of knowledge on that site.

[JohnVH]

keep us posted, I test drove a '99 that shifted in and out of OD on its own on the highway, didnt buy it, also had a 53 block. Ive heard some do some mod to the negative terminal, there is also some electrical thing you can put on it, search the cummins forums.

The dodge auto trans isnt known to live super long, typically. I try not to abuse mine too much, its still work good.

Ill have to try that trick posted.

[TwoSixFourWins]

If you got the cash consider working with ATS diesel. Those guys know their stuff and make bulletproof products.

[ANDERWAGON]

I've got an 04 with a 48RE that was doing the same thing last summer. I talked with a friend about mine that owns a tranny shop in Louisiana and he said there is spring busted in the valve body. He said I'll put the spring in the mail you drop the valve body and you'll see it. Sure enough the spring was broke offering little resistant's.

I not sure if this is your issue but the part number on the bag said the following

TPS
22832A
S18 3-4 ACCUM
J5902C
QTY:1
109

[gonehuntin68]

Thanks    next filter change ill try that

[6x6in6]

If you were wondering what Anderwagon was refering to in his part description, it's the 3/4 accumulator spring.  Controls the 3/4 shift.
http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/high-performance-transmission/parts/3162
Click on the 2 PDF's in the above link.

[Special T]

Where are you located? Nest time i would recommend a stick. I've had 4 sticks and one auto.... I haul heavy loads, what does that tell you?  Even that vintage had problems with the 5 speed unfortunately... the new 6 speed sticks are the stuff!

[summit creek]

y do you think they call it a ram so wen its brekin down the ford will come up and ram it out of the way

[Button Nubbs]

I hope its not your tranny, I just had to have mine rebuilt on my silverado. $3,000...

[high country]

Gorend bros. Look em up.

[CAMPMEAT]

Shift into a lower gear will solve the problem I bet. Use your tow/haul mod if you have it.