Shifting Your Perspective
Q: I own a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500-series pickup with the 5.2-liter V-8 with 84,000 miles on it. I recently noticed the transmission is acting up. At 45 to 55 mph, when I let off the gas to slow down, the transmission will downshift to the last gear it was in and stay in that gear for a long time before finally shifting out. I drive with the transmission in overdrive. If I turn off overdrive and turn it on again, it won't shift out of gear.
A: Going 84,000 miles without servicing the transmission could be a contributing factor. I pulled up Dodge Technical Service Bulletin 18-006-02 REV.C. This one pertains to several performance issues including a "no upshift into overdrive (fourth gear)" condition following a downshift into third. The correction entails a reprogramming of the powertrain control module. Also, TSB 21-04-00 deals with excessive governor pressure due to a new transmission valve-body-machining process that went into effect in January 1998. The excessive hydraulic pressure may trigger a trouble code and illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument panel and then put the transmission into a default "limp" mode, which keeps it in third gear until the engine's shut off and restarted. Again, PCM reprogramming may correct the problem. Get the truck to a Dodge service department or a transmission shop that performs sublet work for a Dodge dealership. TT
Sticky Spark Plugs
Q: I'm having problems changing the spark plugs in my 5.3-liter-powered 2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4. I can't get the plug wires off. Is there a trick to it?
A: There are specialty tools available that'll help you remove plug wires, but that shouldn't be necessary when working on a 5.3-liter V-8. General Motors' service procedure recommends first twisting the plug-wire boot a half-turn and then pulling the boot off the spark plug by hand. The half-turn should break the adhesion between the rubber boot and the plug, making it easy to remove while preventing damage to the wire. Only pull on the boot--never pull on the plug wire itself, as that's a sure-fire way to rip the wire out of the terminal, which connects to the top of the spark plug. Excessive corrosion at the plug may cause plug-wire removal to get more difficult and could make wire damage unavoidable. Once the wires are removed, back the spark plugs out one or two turns and use compressed air to clear the surrounding area. This prevents dirt and grime from falling into the cylinder bore once the plugs come all the way out. Keep in mind that GM released new spark plugs for the 5.3-liter. The new plugs use Iridium instead of a platinum tip, with an updated plug gap of 0.04-inch. The gap should be set from the factory, so double-check the clearance but don't attempt adjustment, as plug damage may occur.