bigbaddiesel

Sometimes when im driving in the city, it doesnt shift on its own into first gear. I manually shift it and it goes into first just fine. Is there a sensor or something that tells it when to go into first? Is it the TPS? One of these days ill get brave and tighten the bands up.

DF5152

the computer gets signals from the TPS and speed sensor there may also be valve body selenoids that measure presure. If you are talking about when u are slowing to a stop sign and dont come to s full stop the tranny wont shift all the way down to first. Its common not just with dodge but the GM's I've had do the same thing. I wasnever able to make any adjustment that would take care of the situation except for the manual down shift...you may be able to do something with something like the EMJAY unit. or a VB modification...
Dan

bigbaddiesel

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like something ya just have to deal with.

torquefan

Your 97 truck has an electronic governor, which can do stuff like this at times. There are two components on the valve body, one of which is the likely cause. One is the pressure transducer, and I believe the other is the governor pressure solenoid. It is hard to diagnose without the right equipment.

Lon

Since I have had my valve body out and installed a shift kit I managed to slightly cut one of the o-rings connecting the valve body to the wiring harness. ATF on hot days will seep into the plug and will not allow it to go into 1st. Clean it out with contact cleaner and comes back. Just something to check. Lon

RCW

The two most common problems with not finding first gear when the vehicle drops below 18 mph are the throttle position sensor not recognizing a closed throttle, and the throttle valve cable being slightly misadjusted.

bigbaddiesel

Thats a couple of things for me to check. I plan on taking off the trans. pan one of these days to adjust the bands. Ill look at that connector while im there.