MajorCommonTransmission

RAM 1500: RE-series 4-speed auto governor solenoid faults, overdrive wear and overheating (2nd gen 42RE/46RE/47RE)

RE-series 4-speed auto governor solenoid faults, overdrive wear and overheating (2nd gen 42RE/46RE/47RE) is a common transmission fault on the RAM 1500 on the 1994–2003 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 22 documented faults on the RAM 1500.

Vehicle: RAM 1500
Engine: 3.9L / 5.9L
Years: 1994–2003
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the RAM 1500 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All RAM 1500 faults22 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

Second generation Rams use Chrysler's RE-series four-speed automatic: the 42RE behind the 3.9 V6 and the heavier 46RE behind the 5.2 and 5.9 V8 (47RE in some heavy duty and V10 trucks). These gearboxes electronically control shift speed through a governor pressure solenoid and sensor that get contaminated by varnish and fail, giving wrong-gear (second gear) starts, harsh or delayed shifts, and limp mode. The overdrive clutch pack is the weak point under load and towing, and heat kills it: symptoms are loss of overdrive, a flare or slip on the 3-4 shift and burnt fluid. A dirty or blocked transmission cooler makes it worse. The governor parts are a cheap fix; a slipping overdrive usually means a rebuild. There was no recall.

What you would notice

Pulls away in second gear or feels sluggish from a stop
Revs flare or slip on the shift into overdrive
Overdrive light flashing or overdrive will not engage
Harsh or late shifts, or stuck in one gear (limp mode)
Dark, burnt-smelling transmission fluid

How to check it

Where to look. Automatic transmission under the cab; governor solenoid and pressure sensor on the valve body behind the transmission pan; cooler in front of the radiator

With the engine warm and running in Park, pull the transmission dipstick and check the fluid is red and does not smell burnt. On the test drive, accelerate gently from a stop and feel whether it starts in first and shifts smoothly through all four gears. At 80 to 100 km/h, feel for revs flaring or slipping when it shifts into overdrive, and press the overdrive off button to check the light behaves. Look through the grille at the transmission cooler and radiator for blockage with dirt or damage. Ask whether the truck has towed and whether the transmission has been serviced or rebuilt. If a workshop inspection is possible: scan the engine computer for governor pressure and transmission codes (P1756, P1757, P1762, P0740) and road test with a line pressure gauge.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the transmission been rebuilt or had the governor solenoid or sensor replaced?”
“Has the truck been used for towing, and how heavy?”
“When was the transmission fluid and filter last changed?”

Now check the RAM 1500 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

TransGo: OEM Governor Pressure Solenoid Repair Kit (1995-2007 Dodge, Ram and Jeep 40RE-48RE contaminated governor solenoids, wrong gear starts, governor codes)
VehicleServicePros: Wrong Gear Start (RE-series governor pressure solenoid and sensor faults)
8020 Automotive: The 5 Most Common Dodge 5.9 Magnum Engine Problems (46RH/46RE torque converter and cooling line failures under towing)
Transmission Digest: Critical Wear Areas and Vacuum Test Locations (A500/A518 RE-series)

RAM 1500 buyer questions

Is re-series 4-speed auto governor solenoid faults, overdrive wear and overheating (2nd gen 42re/46re/47re) serious on a RAM 1500?

We rate it major and common on the RAM 1500. Second generation Rams use Chrysler's RE-series four-speed automatic: the 42RE behind the 3.9 V6 and the heavier 46RE behind the 5.2 and 5.9 V8 (47RE in some heavy duty and V10 trucks). These gearboxes electronically control shift speed through a governor pressure solenoid and sensor that get contaminated by varnish and fail, giving wrong-gear (second gear) starts, harsh or delayed shifts, and limp mode. The overdrive clutch pack is the weak point under load and towing, and heat kills it: symptoms are loss of overdrive, a flare or slip on the 3-4 shift and burnt fluid. A dirty or blocked transmission cooler makes it worse. The governor parts are a cheap fix; a slipping overdrive usually means a rebuild. There was no recall.

How much does it cost to fix on a RAM 1500?

$400 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which RAM 1500 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1994–2003 RAM 1500. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.