Transmission With Both Solenoid Failure And Internal Damage
I wanted to make you aware that it's possible for your 42RE, 44RE, or 46RE equipped vehicle to have a failed shift solenoid and internal transmission damage. This is especially true in cases where the internal damage is in the components that create 3rd or 4th gear. What makes the ‘slippage’ (this damage creates) unnoticeable is the simple fact that the transmission doesn't upshift into its higher gears because it's in ‘Limp In Mode’.
From personal experience, I have seen cases where the vehicle had a solenoid or transmission sensor issue, along with a specific transmission trouble code and a bad shift solenoid or bad transmission sensor. Yet once the failed solenoid/sensor was replaced and the transmission started shifting again, it began to slip in 3rd or 4th gear.
There are a few ways to find out if this is the case in your particular case (like checking for sediment and metal shavings in the pan as you're replacing the shift solenoids) but ultimately it all boils down to replacing the defective solenoid/sensor and road testing the vehicle.
In Conclusion
Hopefully this article has given you the info you need to be able to say that the issue affecting your automatic transmission is an electrical issue or an internal issue (that requires an overhaul).
If you'd like to share your particular experience with the rest of us (which I'll include in an update to this article), you can use the contact form below:
More Diagnostic/Troubleshooting Tutorials
I've written several more tutorials that may be of interest to you that you can find in this index: Chrysler 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L Index Of Articles.
Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Test A No Start Condition (Dodge 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L).
- How To Test The Crank Sensor (1994-1996 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L Chrysler).
- How To Test The MAP Sensor (P0107, P0108) (Dodge 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L).
- How To Diagnose Misfire Codes (Dodge 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
