How Can I Tell If My Automatic Transmission Needs An Overhaul?

The 1996-2003 V8 (gasoline) Dodge Ram full-size pickup uses the 46RE four-speed automatic transmission.

This automatic transmission come equipped with electronic controls –meaning that when the transmission suffers a failure, it could either be caused by an internal mechanical issue or an electrical issue.

In this tutorial, I'm gonna walk through how to diagnose common problems with these units. Whether you're a DIY newbie or an experienced mechanic, this info will help you troubleshoot the issue so that you can fix it yourself, or take it to a transmission repair expert and get your Dodge Ram pickup back on the road.

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 5.2L V8: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.
• Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 5.2L V8: 1996, 1997, 1998.
• Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
• Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002.
• Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.

46RE Automatic Transmission Basics

The Dodge Ram pickups with either a 5.2L or 5.9L gasoline-powered V8 engine covered in this tutorial use the 46RE automatic transmission (1996–2003).

Key features of the 46RE:

• Electronically controlled governor pressure system.
• Shift timing is managed by computer-controlled solenoids in the valve body.
• Built-in diagnostic capabilities —transmission codes can be retrieved from the PCM or TCM.
• 4-speed automatic with overdrive.
• Used from 1996 through 2003 with the 5.2L and 5.9L V8s.
  • NOTE: The 5.2L was discontinued after 2001; the 5.9L continued in the 1500 only through 2003.

The Most Common Transmission Failures

The most important thing to know, when trying to troubleshoot a transmission problem, is that the automatic transmission usually fails in one of the following ways:

• Slipping or soft shifting: The engine revs up but the vehicle doesn't accelerate accordingly, or shifts feel mushy. This is usually caused by one of two things:
  • Low fluid level.
  • Internal mechanical damage.
• Harsh or delayed shifts: A bang or jolt during gear changes, or a long pause before engaging Drive or Reverse. Common causes:
  • The transmission is low on transmission fluid (usually due to a transmission fluid leak).
  • The transmission throttle valve cable (also called the kickdown cable) is misadjusted.
  • The transmission has internal mechanical damage.
• Failure to upshift/stuck in one gear: If your truck won't shift past second gear (and starts out in second), it may be in "limp mode". Could be due to:
  • Electrical wiring issue.
  • A bad shift solenoid.
  • Internal mechanical problem/damage.
• No overdrive or no 4th gear: You might notice the truck never goes into the highest gear, or pressing the "OD Off" button has no effect. Common causes:
  • Transmission solenoid issue.
  • Internal mechanical problem/damage.
• No torque converter lock-up: The torque converter in these transmissions has a clutch that locks at cruise speed (usually in 3rd or 4th gear) for fuel efficiency. Common fault behind this issue:
  • Low fluid level.
  • Bad lock-up solenoid.
  • Faulty throttle position sensor (TPS).

Throttle Valve Cable Adjustment

Start by checking the fluid level —low fluid can cause delayed engagements. Next, inspect the throttle valve cable for any obvious damage, and make sure it's actually connected to the throttle linkage on the throttle body.

Make sure the cable moves freely and is adjusted to spec (with the throttle plate in its fully closed position, the cable should have just a bit of slack and start moving as soon as the throttle plate opens).

A cable that's too tight will cause late, firm shifts. A loose cable will lead to early, soft shifts.

Adjusting the kickdown cable is as simple as pressing the tab on the adjuster and sliding it —but it has to be done following the correct procedure to make sure the transmission shifts correctly when you step on the gas.

This YouTube tutorial will help you with that:

• Jasper Engines & Transmissions - How to Video - Dodge Throttle Valve Cable Adjustment (at: youtube.com).

NOTE: In case you're wondering, the throttle valve cable tells the transmission how far you're pressing the gas pedal. Based on that, the transmission decides whether to hold a gear longer or downshift —giving you more torque and better acceleration when you need it.

How Can I Tell If It's Just A Solenoid Failure?

The 46RE automatic transmission, which is electronically controlled, relies on several internal solenoids and sensors.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) —or, in some configurations, a dedicated Transmission Control Module (TCM)— monitors and controls these components to manage gear shifts.

When any of these solenoids or sensors fail —or if a fuse supplying power to them fails —the transmission defaults into what's known as 'Limp-In Mode', an operating condition that limits the transmission's performance.

One of the clearest signs that the issue is electrical or solenoid-related (rather than mechanical) is the absence of gear slippage.

In most cases, the transmission won't slip —it will either fail to shift properly, get stuck in a single gear, or default to second or third gear (Limp-In Mode). This makes it easier to narrow the problem down to a sensor, solenoid, or electrical issue.

Below are some telltale signs that a faulty transmission solenoid or electrical failure might be to blame:

1. The check engine light (CEL) is illuminated and a specific shift solenoid diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is registered. All generic OBD II transmission diagnostic troubles codes start with: P07XX (the XX being the last 2 digits of the DTC).
2. You'll see one or several of the following transmission diagnostic trouble codes:
   • P0700: Transmission Control System Malfunction.
   • P0711: Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance.
   • P0712: Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input.
   • P0713: Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input.
   • P0720: Output Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction.
   • P0740: Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction.
   • P0743: Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Electrical.
   • P0748: Pressure Control Solenoid Electrical.
   • P0753: Shift Solenoid A Electrical.
   • P0783: 3-4 Shift Malfunction.
3. You may see one, or several, of the following Manufacturer Specific DTCs:
   • P1756: Governor Pressure Not Equal To Target At 15-20 PSI.
   • P1757: Governor Pressure Above 3 PSI When Request Is 0 PSI.
   • P1762: Governor Pressure Sensor Offset Improper Voltage.
   • P1763: Governor Pressure Sensor Voltage Too High.
   • P1764: Governor Pressure Sensor Voltage Too Low.
   • P1765: Trans 12 Volt Supply Relay Control Circuit.
4. The speedometer does not work and you might have one of the following trouble codes:
   • P0500: Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction.
   • P0501: Vehicle Speed Sensor Range/Performance.
   • P0502: Vehicle Speed Sensor Low Input.
   • P0503: Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent/Erratic/High.
5. Your 46RE automatic transmission will stay in 'Limp-In Mode', which typically means it's stuck in 2nd gear, regardless of how fast you're going.
6. As you accelerate, the truck feels underpowered —that's because it's starting off in 2nd instead of 1st.
7. And once you pass 35 MPH, you'll notice the engine revving high. That's due to the transmission not upshifting from the low gear ratio of 2nd gear.

So, how can you tell if it's an electrical or solenoid-related problem inside the transmission?

1. You'll have one or more transmission-related trouble codes (or an output speed sensor code).
2. The transmission doesn't slip, no matter how many test drives you do.
3. The truck stays stuck in 2nd gear (Limp-In Mode).

Let's move on and look at what happens when there's actual internal mechanical damage inside the transmission in the next page.