[Ramnugget77]

Hi guys, I have a problem. I just installed a rebuilt engine in my truck and everything went pretty well except for when I was about to go for a test drive. I put it into gear and nothing happened, so I tried reverse and nothing either. I tried every gear and nothing it's just like every gear is neutral. I checked the linkage and it's moving normally, I changed the 2 filters in the tranny so the fluid level is good and it's getting plenty of pressure out of the lines. Not sure where to go from here.

 

[TransEngineer]

You did install the bolts that hold the converter to the flexplate, correct? I guess you must have if you're getting pressure out of the cooler lines.

Is this a 4x4 truck? Is the transfer case in Neutral? And you did connect the shift cable to the lever on the trans, right?

 

[Ramnugget77]

Yes the torque converter is bolted to the fly wheel. It is 4x4 and the transfer case is in 2h. I tried to move it in 4hi and 4lo and nothing happened. The shift cable is connected, I checked and I didn't disconnect it when I pulled the engine.

 

[Warlock III]

Sounds to me like the converter isn't in all the way. Did happen to come out when you pulled the engine?

 

[TransEngineer]

I doubt you could bolt the trans in if the converter was out of position.

Sounds like you need to get someone with a scan tool to check it. Check line pressure, desired line pressure, turbine (input) speed, output speed, current gear, target gear, and PRNDL position to see what's going on.

 

[Warlock III]

I've seen it happen. Not so much with Rams than other vehicles (Furd especially). The torque converter is installed but not to the last click, and goes in without a hitch. Thes everything had to be loosened and the TQ spun and pushed in until it clicks.

 

[Ramnugget77]

Can you use an OBDII scanner to check the tranny or do you need a different one? I'll unbolt the torque converter and see if it's not on all the way.

 

[TransEngineer]

Can you use an OBDII scanner to check the tranny or do you need a different one? I'll unbolt the torque converter and see if it's not on all the way.

I'm not sure which scanners will or won't work. You just need one that can read and display the various channels I mentioned. Maybe other owners who have scan tools can chime in with what their particular tool will read?

 

[Bussbar]

When did you replace the 2 tranny filters? Before the swap? During the swap? Did the tranny take any jarring movement prior to the test drive?

 

[Ramnugget77]

I changed them both after the swap and after I found out there was a problem. No the tranny didn't move at all during the swap

 

[Bussbar]

I had this happen to my old ram 1500. However I had to ensure that the sump filter was correctly seated in its gasket and more importantly that the gasket was firmly seated into the tranny. I advise you verify that the sump filter is still properly sealed in the tranny. I used a plastic milk crate with a 30 gallon trash bag fitted in it to catch the fluid while draining. Easy, disposable, mess free and reuse fluid after a quick filtration. After you verify the filter is ok, try shifting the transfer case into N and go through the gears. Shift into 2H and try the gears again. I wish I remember the sequence for priming the tranny.

 

[TransEngineer]

Good point! Check the filters and make sure the main (flat) sump filter snout is pushed up THROUGH the seal in the pump. Make sure that seal is pressed into the pump bore so the metal flange is FLUSH against the pump casting all the way around (not tilted in the bore). Make sure you don't have TWO seals (one in the pump, and one sitting loose on the filter snout). Make sure the spin-on filter is snug (not loose). Make sure the flat filter is not cracked at the base of the snout, or split open along the side seam.