89 Dodge Ram O/D won't shift

From : boyddawson u45961 uwe

Q: hello i have a 89 dodge ram one owner. since about 60k at times it wont shift into o/d. if you drive it long enought it will shift. i have been told there is a heat activated switch that wont let it shift till it warms up. the trans was rebuilt three years ago but this problem didnt change. the trk only has 110k on it. if you have any sugestions please let me know. thanks boyd .

Replies:

From : gary g

on thu 04 sep 2008 002314 gmt boyddawson u45961@uwe wrote hello i have a 89 dodge ram one owner. since about 60k at times it wont shift into o/d. if you drive it long enought it will shift. i have been told there is a heat activated switch that wont let it shift till it warms up. the trans was rebuilt three years ago but this problem didnt change. the trk only has 110k on it. if you have any sugestions please let me know. thanks boyd 92 dakota 318 a/t -- couple years ago started doing same thing. as time progressed it got worse. then in the fall the weather began cooling off and it was taking like 10 miles before od shift. turned out to be the overdrive piston seals - old and hard. repair cost $250.00 at an independant shop. he was able to pull the od unit without pulling the transmission. gary g. .

From : boyddawson via carkb com u45961 uwe

johnb wrote other thing to check is the brake light switch my 95 did the same thing. it would get connection eventually and work but if i lifted lightly on the brake pedal it would work fine. on cold days tho ya gotta wait a couple miles before it warms up. not saying that is your problem but give it a try. john i thank you for that little bit of info. that sound as though it may help. thanks -- message posted via carkb.com http//www.carkb.com/uwe/forums.aspx/dodge-truck/200809/1 .

From : johnb

other thing to check is the brake light switch my 95 did the same thing. it would get connection eventually and work but if i lifted lightly on the brake pedal it would work fine. on cold days tho ya gotta wait a couple miles before it warms up. not saying that is your problem but give it a try. .

From : bob

boyddawson wrote hello i have a 89 dodge ram one owner. since about 60k at times it wont shift into o/d. if you drive it long enought it will shift. i have been told there is a heat activated switch that wont let it shift till it warms up. the trans was rebuilt three years ago but this problem didnt change. the trk only has 110k on it. if you have any sugestions please let me know. thanks boyd -- there is a heat activated switch that does prevent shifting if its too cold. i dont have an 89 service manual. but my 01 service manual states the trans wont allow an upshift if the trans fluid temp is below 50*f/10*c theres a test procedure in my manual. check yours for the same. then test the sensor. i wouldnt think that would be replaced during a rebuild - but i would ask or look at the parts list. do you have an aftermarket auxillary fluid cooler if so is it plumbed before the radiator or after -------- ..bob 2006 fxdi hot rod 2008 mustang coupe 2001 dodge dakota qc 5.9/4x4/3.92 1965 ffr cobra - 427w efi damn fast. .