Does My Automatic Transmission Needs An Overhaul? (1996-2001 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram Pickup)

How Can I Tell If It's Internal Transmission Damage Requiring An Overhaul?

The most obvious red flag that your Dodge Ram's automatic transmission is has a serious internal mechanical problem is when it begins to slip —in other words, the engine revs up, but the power doesn't reach the wheels the way it should.

Below are some clear indicators that it may be time for a rebuild or replacement:

• The fluid level is normal, but the transmission fluid looks very dark or black and gives off a strong burnt odor —both signs of overheating and worn-out clutch packs.
• You might pull one or more "gear ratio error" codes from the PCM. These show up when the computer detects a difference between what the transmission should be doing and what it's actually doing —often caused by slipping clutches or damaged internals:
  • P0730: Incorrect Gear Ratio (general).
  • P0731: Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio.
  • P0732: Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio.
  • P0733: Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio.
  • P0734: Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio.
• These codes are the PCM's way of saying: "I tried to engage a gear, but the output speed doesn't line up —something inside the transmission isn't holding as it should".
• While accelerating, the transmission suddenly acts like it popped into neutral —this is a textbook example of "slipping".
• No 1st gear engagement: You put the truck in Drive and rev the engine, but it just sits there. This typically points to a failed forward clutch pack.
• The transmission hesitates to drop into 1st gear after stopping, and then slams into gear with a hard jolt.
  • Normally, it should downshift into 1st smoothly before the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
  • A delayed response like this can indicate problems in the valve body or worn clutch components.
• No Reverse gear at all, even though Drive still works. That's often a sign the reverse band or the direct clutch has worn out.
• When you pull the transmission pan, you find black sludge or gritty sediment —that's the worn friction material from the clutches and bands inside the unit.
• Metal shavings mixed in with the debris at the bottom of the pan suggest internal hard part damage, like a broken planetary gear or worn thrust washer.

At the end of the day, dropping the transmission pan is one of the most reliable ways to confirm internal damage.

If you spot dark sludge, worn clutch material, or metal fragments in the pan, that's a solid indication the transmission is due for a rebuild or replacement.

Transmission With Both Solenoid Failure And Internal Damage

It's worth knowing that your 42RE-equipped Dodge Ram pickup can have both a bad solenoid or sensor And internal mechanical damage at the same time.

This overlap is particularly common when the internal damage involves the clutch packs for 1st, 2nd or 4th gear.

What usually hides the slipping is that the transmission is stuck in Limp-In Mode —so it never even tries to engage the damaged gears.

In other words, the transmission may seem to be working fine —not because it's actually okay, but because it's being restricted from using the gears that are already shot.

From my own hands-on experience, I've run into several cases where a vehicle showed a sensor or solenoid trouble code —like a bad governor pressure sensor or shift solenoid. After replacing the part, the truck began shifting again… and that's when the real trouble showed up: serious slipping in 1st or 4th gear that had been hidden by Limp Mode all along.

If you're in the process of replacing a solenoid or sensor, here are a couple of smart checks to catch deeper issues early:

• When dropping the transmission fluid pan, take a close look for excessive clutch dust, black sludge, or metal debris. These are red flags —even if you haven't felt any slipping yet.
• After swapping the part and clearing the trouble codes, do a road test. Pay attention to how it shifts from 1st all the way to 4th —especially under light throttle. Slipping here could mean hidden internal damage is finally showing itself.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has helped you zero in on whether the problem with your 42RE transmission is:

• Electrical —like a faulty solenoid, sensor, or wiring issue, or
• Mechanical —such as worn-out clutch packs or bands, which usually means it's time for a rebuild or replacement.

If you're still on the fence after fixing an electrical issue, the best next move is to clear Limp-In Mode and take the truck for a careful road test. That's often when the truth comes out —you'll quickly see if the transmission can still hold its gears or if deeper internal problems are lurking.

More 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram Pickup Tutorials

I've written several more tutorials for the V6 Dodge Ram pickups that may be of interest to you that you can find in this index:

• 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram Pickup Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test The Crankshaft Position Sensor (1998-2001 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram Pickup).
• How To Test The Fuel Injectors (1992-1999 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram Pickup).
• How To Test The Ignition Coil (1992-2001 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram Pickup).
• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1989-2001 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram Pickup).