This is on a 91, 1 ton dodge with a cummins in it. Automatic transmission. Just shy of 90,000 miles on it.
Suddenly developed a shifting problem. Almost have to force it to shift from 1st to 2nd and it won't shift into drive.
This is the only truck I have ever owned with an automatic so I know next to nothing about them. Any simple things I can look for?
Transmission fluid level is fine and the fluid shows no sign of burning etc.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

You didn't mention whether you have the 4 speed OD automatic or the 3 speed auto, but the troubleshooting at this stage is the same anyway.

The first thing I would look at is the TV cable. Make sure it is adjusted properly. The TV cable controls pressures within the valve body that change your shift points so if it is improperly adjusted you might not get upshifts or they might be late. Disconnecting it can (and will) burn up the transmission over time so you need to make sure it is set correctly.

If that doesn't work you might try adjusting the bands. The rear band is only used when the shifter is in "1" and "R" so I doubt that one is causing you issues (although it is possible). You have to drop the band to adjust that one. The front band is the intermediate band which is applied in 2nd gear and will also affect the 2-3 shift. I would try adjusting that one and see how it goes. The good thing is that the adjustment for that band is external so you don't have to drop the band to try that.

If the simple stuff like band adjustment and TV cable adjustment haven't made any difference you might want to check the governor pressure. It should rise approximately 1 psi per MPH. The governor also controls shift points so if it is stuck and not rising with speed you won't get a shift.

As a last resort, you might have to drop the pan and clean the valve body.

You didn't mention whether you have the 4 speed OD automatic or the 3 speed auto, but the troubleshooting at this stage is the same anyway.

The first thing I would look at is the TV cable. Make sure it is adjusted properly. The TV cable controls pressures within the valve body that change your shift points so if it is improperly adjusted you might not get upshifts or they might be late. Disconnecting it can (and will) burn up the transmission over time so you need to make sure it is set correctly.

If that doesn't work you might try adjusting the bands. The rear band is only used when the shifter is in "1" and "R" so I doubt that one is causing you issues (although it is possible). You have to drop the band to adjust that one. The front band is the intermediate band which is applied in 2nd gear and will also affect the 2-3 shift. I would try adjusting that one and see how it goes. The good thing is that the adjustment for that band is external so you don't have to drop the band to try that.

If the simple stuff like band adjustment and TV cable adjustment haven't made any difference you might want to check the governor pressure. It should rise approximately 1 psi per MPH. The governor also controls shift points so if it is stuck and not rising with speed you won't get a shift.

As a last resort, you might have to drop the pan and clean the valve body.


Appreciate the info. I guess I'm going to have to see if I can find a maunal on the thing. I think you lost me after the first sentence :laughing:
I'm use to pressure plates and throw out bearings. When you mention "TV cable" my first thought is why, I have satellite and a "band" is what you dance to:laughing:
I think I have my thanksgiving weekend all planned out for me:(

And it's the 4 speed automatic with the push button to take out the overdrive

Appreciate the info. I guess I'm going to have to see if I can find a maunal on the thing. I think you lost me after the first sentence :laughing:
I'm use to pressure plates and throw out bearings. When you mention "TV cable" my first thought is why, I have satellite and a "band" is what you dance to:laughing:
I think I have my thanksgiving weekend all planned out for me:(

And it's the 4 speed automatic with the push button to take out the overdrive

Torqueflites are actually really easy to understand and a good ATSG or factory service manual would help you out a lot.

Torqueflites are actually really easy to understand and a good ATSG or factory service manual would help you out a lot.

Appreciate it. I'll be headed to town in the morning to find or order a couple of manuals on the thing.

Ok, new symptoms:(
Had to take it up the hill this morning. Started out with the same problem and then it shifted into 3rd just fine and ran the hill with no problems.
BUT, then it decided it did not like reverse. Could get it to go in by giving it some throttle. Coming off the hill it seemed to not like 2nd gear at all, 1st and 3rd were fine. But when I tried to take it out of overdrive, the overdrive button was not working.
Any other thoughts?
I did get the only manual avaliable, a chilton, tells me pretty much nothing:(

I'd start with dropping the pan and changing the filter, while you have the pan off, check to see how much crud is in the bottom of the pan, it is normal to have sediment, as the clutches and bands wear with time, and it ends up in the pan, the revers problem sounds like it is starving for fluid, maybe a clogged filter. If there is a LOT of crap in the pan, you could try removing and cleaning the valve body, BUT the excess crud just means your clutches and bands are probably worn pretty good. You may get a fe thousand more miles out of it by adjusting the band and cleaning if that is the case, but I'd probably just pull it and put new clutches, bands and seals in it if it were that far. I've rebuilt ~25 Torqueflites over the years, and I have never had to change any hard parts, bushings, or bearings, just a new 2nd gear band, and clutches, and she will be good for another 100K miles.