[BigLoo]

OK, so first my setup. 2001 Ram 1500 pick-em-up, 2wd, 3.9 V6, 42RE transmission. It has thrown a code 1740 - TCC/OD solenoid performance. The tranny shifts fine, and DOES go into Overdrive, but the torque converter DOES NOT lock up.

When I changed the fluid it had a metallic sheen to it, and the magnet in the pan looked like a Krispy-Kreme doughnut (niether is good), and thus I'm thinking that my transmission is not long for this world. I have a feeling it has been seriously neglected before I bought it. I got it from a dealer, and they said it had had complete fluid service and tune up before I got it, so I did it on shedule, but I think the dealer lied (suprised??? I'm not).

ANYWAY, a few questions.

1. What can I do to diagnose where the problem lies? I figure it's one of 3 things. A bad TC, a bad solenoid, or a clogged passage.

2. If the tranny goes bad, what's the scoop on putting in a 46RE, because that seems to be the only one I can get my hands on without breaking my wallet. I know the 46RE will physically bolt in, but is it plug and play, or will the PCU havea acaniption? Is the driveshaft the same?

 

[deanthecrabman]

Sounds like your torque converter is going out. My daughter noticed a slight grinding noise on start up in her Exploder, sounded like from the tranny. Got it in for service, and the converter had shredded. Don't know about swapping, but make sure you flush out your cooler and lines before you put a new one in. That metal is all through the system now. The tranny shop put a filter on the return line after the flush, as a precaution against any more metal left in the system. Good luck.

 

[RamTech]

Why not perform the diagnostics for the code before condemning the transmission?

 

[BigLoo]

...make sure you flush out your cooler and lines before you put a new one in. That metal is all through the system now. The tranny shop put a filter on the return line after the flush, as a precaution against any more metal left in the system. Good luck.

yeah, I knew about flushing. I will probably put a new cooler on it.

Why not perform the diagnostics for the code before condemning the transmission?

What do you mean? I pulled the codes. It was 1740. What else could it be, if not the transmission, that would cause the tranny fluid to have a metallic sheen, and cause so much metal on the magnet in the pan?

I'm being serious, too, not sarcastic, and genuinely asking what you think it could be. If it's something else I want to know so I can get it fixed right, and not waste money throwing parts at it.