I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 van with about 70K miles. The problem began slowly when the transmission wasn't shifting from 1st to 2nd gear as normal. Now the situation is that it doesn't shift out of 1st gear at all. Reverse works fine, and I haven't noticed any leaking or slippage. The fluid level also appears fine.

Im a little skeptical about taking my truck into a "transmission specialist shop" or the dealer without having a little bit of knowledge about the possible problems. Basically it would seem like you would be at their mercey to fix whatever they say is the problem.

I've read online that this situation could be caused by the "throttle cable" and that a "pressure test" may analyze this. Does my problem sound like the transmission needs to be replaced?

Thank you in advance!

All the average individual can do is try to avoid transmission problems through good preventive maintenance. Dropping and cleaning pan, changing filter, draining torque converter, and refilling with ATF every 30,000 miles normally works well. What's surprising is that truck transmissions are usually more durable and trouble-free than car transmissions. I would scout around and find someone you can trust look at it.

TxGrease, thanks for replying to me, I was checking out some of your posts and you definitely seem knowledgeable.

I think that I do need to bring this into a professional to be repaired and have the fluid replaced. Based on previous experience regarding transmissions, replacing them is expensive.

What I would like to do is try to at least narrow down the possible fix for this: the transmission fluid itself, throttle cable, 2nd gear solonoid, or transmission range sensor. Are there any other possible scenerios?

Thanks again!

You can try a fluid change but odds are that's not going to help if the vehicle is no longer shifting out of 1st gear.

Is your check engine light on at all? Sometimes a tranny code will be set in the computer from a bad shift solenoid.

Dropping the pan normally sheds a lot of light on the situation. Look for crud and metal bits in the bottom of the pan. This is evidence of likely a bigger problem. Also, changing the fillter can definitely affect hydraulic pressures that govern shifting. Outside of these simple steps, there's not much you can do. Yes, you can replace solenoids but that doesn't usually do much. Remember, you also have another filter on the outside of the transmission that needs changing. If you know you haven't been changing fluid and filters regularly, the odds are more extensive damage has taken place.

I changed the transmission fluid at about 35K and yes the engine light is on. Im hoping that this is a result of a solenoid or range sensor which doesn't sound that severe.

AAMCO seems to me like they like to just replace transmissions, so I will definitely scout around for someone to fix this. Thanks much!

Since the CEL is on, read the code(s) stored in the ECM. Most auto parts stores will read codes for free. Do this, before taking it to anyone.

Normally, I recommend taking the vehicle to the dealer for major engine and transmission work. They are often cheaper than other outfits and they specialize in the vehicle.

That's great advice, a friend of mine actually went to an auto parts store as well to get the code. The difference is I may actually have to tow the truck there.

Well, I may post further once I determine the code.

Great advice, and I appreciate it!

You can buy inexpensive code readers from Harbor Freight. Actron has some reasonable readers, also. Every tool box really should have one.

Get the codes read first to eliminate any doubt. If you absolutely need to have the tranny replaced, I wouldn't recommend AAMCO; as far as I'm aware, all they do is rebuild the trans(which means repairing only what's necessary, not what's been worn). Find yourself a decent remanufactured transmission, if that's what's really needed.

I would buy the code reader, you will need one sometime anyway. I took my Durango into a Dodge dealer when the truck became jerky changing gear. They told me it would be $4000 to fix. I took it to a gearbox specialist who swopped a $65 sensor and the truck has done another 30,000 trouble free miles.