Trans Locking & Unlocking
 

Not urgent but I would like to kick this one out. The transmission is locking & unlocking (stuttering, I believe is the term) at spd I can get the problem to clear for about 150 miles (disconnect both batteries) and then it returns. First of August I had the trans rebuilt HD, torque converter also changed at that time. This was happening before the rebuild and took it back to the shop and they told me about the Chrysler TSB for the t/c lockup flash. Took it to my local Dodge dealer and they informed me that the flash was already done and said that the grounds were loose. Well today on the way to work it started again. I asked the trans guy if it was throwing any codes, he said it wasn't. So what the @#!! do I do now. Selling the truck is not high on the list.:argh:

IIRC the ground cables can get corroded and i have heard a few guys cleaning there ends and it fixes the problem, not 100% but someone else will chime in here:humm:

Adjust Your Apps

This is different than resetting it. I did it to mine today and it made a nice difference. Boost comes up faster and smoke is down. You have to measure the voltage that the APPS is putting out then compare that to the voltage that it's supposed to be set at. For example. My apps was putting out .450 volts and it was supposed to be putting out .584 volts. I went and adjusted it and now I'm putting out .580 volts. It's not a major difference but it is nice. I've only put maybe 5 miles on it so far but come wednesday I'll be doing 500 miles a week so I'll give yall a better idea on how it drives.

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
* 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 bracketru 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.

All the grounds were checked when this problem reappeared. I'll try the apps adjustment when I'm next off, Monday or Tuesday of next week.

My 01 Auto did the exact same thing. I changed the Batteries, Did the Aluminum Foil Trick, Replaced the Batt Cables, Adjusted APPS...... None of these worked

Heres the fix Part# KW5535 Noise Filter

Diesel Transmission Technology - DTT Performance Diesel Transmission and Power Accessorieslem


The problem is a noise in your electrical system causing your TC to lock and unlock.

this may be a long shot here but this is a simple thing to check first that doesn't cost much money.

with the truck at operating temp, on a level surface with the transmission in neutral check the fluid level.

my 96 did this when i first got it. i took it to dodge and they told me it was the lockup solenoids. i replaced all of the solenoids, and serviced the tranny and the problem disappeared for about a day then they came back. took it to a friend of mine that builds tranny's and later on that day he called me and told me that the only thing he could find that was wrong was that the tranny was about 1 1/2 - 2 quarts low on fluid. this being my first dodge i didn't know that it had to be in neutral to check it. all my fords and Chevy's i had had were always checked in park. i then noticed it said on the stick to check in neutral. this was with my 47RE. i have since put in a Goerend tranny and have always checked it in neutral.

I have isolated the apps wires from the main harness took me a long time to do it but my apps dont need reset once a week like beofre , I have yet to do an apps adjustment

Well it took almost 2 weeks but I finally made the APPS adjustment and so far it seems to be working:U:. I want to thank you all for you help and suggestions. Just so you know the pre-adjustment reading was 345mV the sensor was marked 563mV and the limit of the sensor was 554mV. Thanks again.

You still might want to try the noise filter that Lukesdiesel suggested above.


I am closing this now as your issue appears to be fixed - you can reopen it later if you have a recurring problem.