Transmission issues... PLEASE HELP!!!

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Josh Murawski

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2020
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Philadelphia PA
Ram Year
1989
Engine
318 V-8
Ok, so I’m working on restoring a really clean 1989 Dodge W150 (see pics) that has been sitting since 2010. After doing a bunch of work to get this truck running, I’m having an issue with the truck actually moving. The truck seems to go into gear, but will only move when you rev it really high. I have drive and reverse. Trans fluid seem to be at a normal level when idling, but will spill out of the top of the dipstick tube when revving it without the trans dipstick in it. Truck has the 318 and 3speed auto. The work I’ve done to the truck so far: new battery, new alternator, cap & rotor, new coil, oil & filter change, upgraded the fuel tank to a ‘92 tank & fuel pump (due to the original fuel pump assembly being rotted apart), new fuel filter, replaced fuel lines, 2 new calipers, cut the rotors, new pads, new rear shoes, new master cylinder, new brake lines. Trying to avoid a $2k transmission rebuild at the moment. Any help or suggestions to figure out what’s going on with the transmission are greatly appreciated.

B2FE3C36-C34E-4828-9DED-3A9DE27CC7C0.jpeg

312A8EA5-C6AE-463E-9397-3F6A376D5C73.jpeg

E1789ADB-D873-4ADE-A85F-070AF79527E6.jpeg

88AE8654-B2A9-41C5-998A-946725A52AE8.jpeg
 

reek

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2014
Posts
1,592
Reaction score
733
Location
Sacramento
Ram Year
2015 RAM 2500 CC 4x4, 72 D100, 73 D100, 01 RAM 2500 field truck
Engine
6.4 Hemi
welcome to the forum. Nice truck!

a few questions, is it a 727 transmission? is there a delay in shifting when you go from park to drive? does reverse work?

in the end, if you need to get a rebuild, consider dropping the cash on a 46rh instead so you can get overdrive for a bit better fuel economy.
 

Fast69Mopar

Senior Member
Joined
May 10, 2019
Posts
1,997
Reaction score
1,706
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
5.7 HEMI
Ok, so I’m working on restoring a really clean 1989 Dodge W150 (see pics) that has been sitting since 2010. After doing a bunch of work to get this truck running, I’m having an issue with the truck actually moving. The truck seems to go into gear, but will only move when you rev it really high. I have drive and reverse. Trans fluid seem to be at a normal level when idling, but will spill out of the top of the dipstick tube when revving it without the trans dipstick in it. Truck has the 318 and 3speed auto. The work I’ve done to the truck so far: new battery, new alternator, cap & rotor, new coil, oil & filter change, upgraded the fuel tank to a ‘92 tank & fuel pump (due to the original fuel pump assembly being rotted apart), new fuel filter, replaced fuel lines, 2 new calipers, cut the rotors, new pads, new rear shoes, new master cylinder, new brake lines. Trying to avoid a $2k transmission rebuild at the moment. Any help or suggestions to figure out what’s going on with the transmission are greatly appreciated.

View attachment 229465

View attachment 229466

View attachment 229467

View attachment 229468
Depending on how the truck rolled off of the assembly line, it could have been built with the 3-speed A-999, the 3-speed 727 or an
A-500/A-518 which are 4-speed units.

If you have an amber/yellow O/D OFF button on the instrument panel then the truck has either the A-500 or A-518. If you do not have the O/D OFF button then you have a 3-speed variant.

No matter which unit is in the truck, pull the pan and take a look at the forward/kickdown band and the rear/reverse band. The band apply lever that touches the accumulator should have about ¼"-⅜" gap between the accumulator. If the bands are too loose it can cause delayed engagement and can cause the truck to not move in gear.
 

gogereaver

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2020
Posts
9
Reaction score
1
Location
ky
Ram Year
1992
Engine
318
Its rebuilding time if its slipping like that
 
Top