I have a 2003 Dodge 2500 2wd with the cummmins. I am having problems with the trans I believe when towing (about 5k pounds). I bought the truck recently and have noticed a bit of transmission behavior that is not normal when driving on the street empty. With a load the trans will not shift up when going up a hill or slight incline. For example, when I am climbing a hill with the trailer and I have reached probably the top of second gear, it doesn't want to shift. I am stuck at 35-40ish mph and it is between 2500-2700RPM, blowing smoke, and the temp gauge starts to creep up. Any ideas on why the trans simply wont go into a higher gear?

The engine is not working to move the 5k pound trailer that much so I dont think it needs to stay in a lower gear to pull the load. My friend has the same truck but with a hemi. He pulled away from me today when going up a hill with the nearly the same load as I had. If he doesnt feel the load or experience trans issues, I definitely shouldn't.

Any advice would be appreciated

 

Sounds like your governer pressure solienold is going bad. You can do it your self or bring it in. Need fluild and filter change and it wouldn't hurt to have the bands adjusted..

 

It sounds like I need all of the above. I will probably take it in and it have all done at once. How hard is it to change the solenoid myself? Thanks

 

Take the pan off and then take the vb out. Took about half an hour in total and did the filter while I was at it

 

Solenoid and transducer are as easy as a filter change. No need to drop the VB as they are exposed. Band adjust is easy also, just be meticulous about the settings or you will cause more harm than good. Good time to do a drain plug also.