Servicing - A/t Dodge Ram Wagon B3500

IDENTIFICATION

TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER CASE APPLICATION

Identifying 32RH & 42RH Oil Pan Gasket. Scheme 180

Identifying 36RH & 46RH/47RH Oil Pan Gasket. Scheme 181

Transmission

Light-duty service requires transmission servicing (fluid drained and refilled, bands adjusted) every 37,500 miles. Under normal heavy-duty conditions, service transmission every 24,000 miles. Vehicles subjected to severe heavy-duty conditions should have transmission serviced every 12,000 miles.

Transfer Case

Light-duty service requires transfer case servicing (fluid drained and refilled) every 37,500 miles. Under normal heavy-duty conditions, service transmission every 36,000 miles.

1. Check fluid level with vehicle parked on level surface, engine idling at normal operating temperature and parking brake applied. Move selector lever through all gear ranges, ending in "N".
2. Fluid level when warm, 85-125°F (29-52°C), should be between 2 dimples on dipstick. Fluid level when hot, 180°F (82°C), should be in the "OK" crosshatched area of dipstick. Check condition of fluid for contamination or burnt smell.

With vehicle in level position, remove filler plug and check fluid level. Add lubricant If level is below bottom of filler plug hole.

It is important that proper lubricant be used in transmission. Mopar ATF Plus automatic transmission fluid Type 7176 should be used. Fluids labeled Dexron-II should be used only if recommended fluid is not available.

Transfer Case (NP-241 & NP-231)

Fluids labeled Mopar ATF Plus type 7176, or Dexron-II are recommended.

FLUID CAPACITIES

Note. Use capacities listed in TOTAL REFILL CAPACITIES only as a guide. Fluid may vary due to size of internal or auxiliary cooler and cooler lines. Correct fluid level should always be determined by marks on dipstick. Capacities listed are total system capacity including torque converter. See DRAINING & REFILLING when performing regular servicing.

TOTAL REFILL CAPACITIES

DRAINING & REFILLING

Note. Converter is not equipped with a drain. No attempt should be made to drain torque converter.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen oil pan bolts. Tap lightly on one corner of pan to break loose, and allow fluid to drain. Remove pan. Install NEW filter on bottom of valve body. Clean oil pan. Ensure magnet (if equipped) is over boss in right front corner of pan. Install pan with NEW gasket.
2. Refill transmission with 4 qts. (3.8L) of recommended fluid. See «RECOMMENDED FLUID»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b3500/1991-2000/remont/automatic-trans/#servicing-at) . Start engine and allow to run at idle for at least 2 minutes. With engine at curb idle and parking brake applied, move shift selector lever through all ranges, ending in "N".
3. Add fluid up to 2 dimples on dipstick. DO NOT overfill. Recheck fluid level when transmission reaches normal operating temperature. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVEL»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b3500/1991-2000/remont/automatic-trans/#servicing-at) .

Raise and support vehicle. Position drain pan under transfer case. Remove drain and fill plugs. Drain lubricant. Install drain plug. Remove drain pan. Using recommended lubricant, fill transfer case to bottom edge of fill plug opening. See RECOMMENDED FLUID . Lower vehicle.

KICKDOWN (FRONT) BAND

1. Locate kickdown band adjusting screw on left side of transmission case, near throttle lever shaft. (Scheme 182) Loosen adjusting screw lock nut and back off nut 5 turns. Ensure adjusting screw turns freely in case.
2. Using Wrench (C-3380-A) with Adapter (C-3705), tighten adjusting screw to 48 INCH lbs. (5 N.m). If adapter is not used, tighten adjusting screw to 72 INCH lbs. (8 N.m).
3. Back off front adjusting screw 2 1/2 turns. Hold adjusting screw in position and tighten lock nut to 35 ft. lbs. (47 N.m).

Scheme 182

LOW-REVERSE (REAR) BAND

1. Drain transmission and remove oil pan. Locate low-reverse band adjusting screw on rear servo lever. (Scheme 183) Loosen adjusting screw lock nut and back off nut 5 turns. Ensure screw turns freely in lever. Using Wrench (C-3380-A), tighten adjusting screw to 72 INCH lbs. (8 N.m).
2. Back off rear adjusting screw specified number of turns. See «LOW-REVERSE (REAR) BAND ADJUSTMENT»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b3500/1991-2000/remont/automatic-trans/#servicing-at). Hold adjusting screw in position and tighten lock nut. Clean oil pan, install NEW gasket with pan and fill transmission with fluid. See «DRAINING & REFILLING»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b3500/1991-2000/remont/automatic-trans/#servicing-at__draining-refilling) under LUBRICATION.

LOW-REVERSE (REAR) BAND ADJUSTMENT

Scheme 183

THROTTLE PRESSURE CABLE

1. Ensure idle speed is within specification. Check underhood emissions decal. Remove air cleaner assembly if necessary. Disconnect cable end from attachment stud on control lever. Ensure throttle lever is fully closed. Cable end and attachment stud on throttle lever should be aligned within .039" (1.0 mm).
2. If cable requires adjustment, press cable lock button inward to release cable. Center cable end on attachment stud and release lock button. Check cable adjustment. Ensure throttle lever on transmission and lever on throttle body move simultaneously as accelerator pedal is depressed.

GEARSHIFT LINKAGE

1. With column shift lever in "P" position, loosen adjustable swivel lock screw. (Scheme 184) Ensure swivel is free to move on shift rod. Disassemble and clean components if required.
2. Move shift lever on transmission to full rear detent ("P") position and tighten swivel lock screw. When linkage is properly adjusted, detent positions for "N" and "D" will be within limits of shift lever gate stops and engine will start only in "P" or "N".

Scheme 184

PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH

A combination neutral safety and back-up light switch is screwed into side of transmission case. Switch is not adjustable. Switch may be tested for continuity using the following method.

Note. Before replacing a switch that fails tests, ensure gearshift linkage is properly adjusted.

Testing

1. With transmission linkage properly adjusted, switch should allow starter operation in "P" and "N" only. To test switch, remove wire connector. Using an ohmmeter, test for continuity between center pin of switch and case. Continuity should exist only with transmission in "P" or "N".
2. Check for continuity between 2 outer pins. Continuity should exist with transmission in Reverse only. There should be no continuity between either outside pin or transmission case.
3. To replace neutral safety switch, remove switch from case and allow fluid to drain. Move selector lever to "P" and "N" positions and ensure switch operating fingers are centered in switch opening. Install NEW switch and seal. Retest switch for continuity and add transmission fluid.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TOTAL REFILL CAPACITIES
• DRAINING & REFILLING