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...when gaining elevation in Colorado. Drove from Georgia to Colorado - things weren't too bad until I hit Colorado.
Problem started awhile ago. Transmission fluid change made no difference. I tried mightily and found nobody that seemed to know how to tighten the transmission bands. That includes the guy who swaps gears and lockers for me - found out today.
Hoping it is simple problem with overdrive. That is an auxiliary transmission function that sits outside of the transmission. Should be cheaper than a transmission overhaul. The transmission works flawlessly except for hunting between 3rd and overdrive at certain times.
modern overdrive automatics will hunt between gears when going up hills, thus if oyu read the owners manual you will note that it recommends that you lock out the overdrive.
If the tranny is hunting like that, lock out the overdrive and just drive in high gear. I always lock out the overdrive when I am towing, and sometimes in steep terrain.
Also, chances are it's the computer that is hunting, not the transmission. Modern cars have sensors all over: ground speed, engine RPM, engine torque curve, acceleration profile, etc. Chances are it's the computer hunting, trying to balance engine power, MPG, and ground speed.
...when gaining elevation in Colorado. Drove from Georgia to Colorado - things weren't too bad until I hit Colorado.
Problem started awhile ago. Transmission fluid change made no difference. I tried mightily and found nobody that seemed to know how to tighten the transmission bands. That includes the guy who swaps gears and lockers for me - found out today.
Hoping it is simple problem with overdrive. That is an auxiliary transmission function that sits outside of the transmission. Should be cheaper than a transmission overhaul. The transmission works flawlessly except for hunting between 3rd and overdrive at certain times.
How much elevation?
Big difference between a couple of hundred feet and a couple of thousand feet. Naturally aspirated vehicles rely on barometric pressure less pressure, less power, that can cause modern autos to switch to lower gears when gaining altitude.
Just for reference Yuma County is about 3000' ASL, Aspen is about 7500' ASL, if your elevation change is 4500 feet you're going to noticeably lose power without a turbo or super charger.
2002 Dodge 2500 with gas engine. The problem became very bad between Pueblo, Colorado and Walsenburg, Colorado. An elevation gain of about 1500' in 40 miles. From 4700' to almost 6200'. Of course that is sometimes hilly rather than steady.
Thanks for the tips guys. Transmission shop just wanted to rebuild the whole thing of course. They live in the "right part of town".
Something tells me this has a lot to do with elevation and perceived load based on a few different sensors' calculations, throttle position, etc.
Do you have the 4 speed transmission (I'm guessing so, since you said between 3rd and overdrive) Can't find much info on 2500 gassers. Maybe a 48RE?
Searching on similar year Ram 2500's, I'm seeing this was even an issue when these trucks were new, and not limited to 3-4, but also 2-3 and 1-2 hunting was reported from some users.
I'd go to a PERFORMANCE shop who can actually change your shift points with a programmer. A dealer or retail shop isn't going to want to set them to anything other than stock.
If you don't want to go this route, you can try the old "disconnect your battery cables to reset the computer" not sure if this works with TCM as well.
I would just lock out OD and drive in 3rd gear. I had a 95 Dodge that hunted while towing-an RV. I couldn’t tell any difference in mpg.
Even better, if it's got Tow/Haul mode (vs. a hard lockout of 4/OD), it will in fact change the shift points but not lock it out completely. So you'd still be good to drive at interstate speeds. It'll just hold 3rd "seemingly forever" until you're truly done accelerating.
48RE, under Tow/Haul will delay the upshift and simply not lock the torque converter.
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