Transmission whining 2004 Dodge RAM 3500

ANSWER : On the 2000 magnum you can expect to pay $500 on tires. If the 2003 had an overheating issue, whether or not it get fixed is a concern. The 2003 is a newer vehicle even though it has 15k more miles. My best guess could possibly not be very accurate, since it comes down to the condition and how good they look to me.

I would recommend having a professional mechanic do a complete pre-purchase inspection on both trucks in order to give you an idea of the problems they may have. Afterwards you’ll have the information to make an informed decision.

ANSWER : Hi there – the most common feedback on this issues is that this is caused by the transmission pump when the transmission fluid filter is clogged, or the transmission fluid has degraded (burned or varnished). Check the condition of your fluid and filter to determine if these conditions may be contributing to the whine. I recommend a transmission fluid service performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, and perform this maintenance task quickly, getting you back on the road.

ANSWER : The powertrain control module (PCM) part numbers for the 2004 and 2008 model year trucks are different. So, it’s possible that the PCM could be the problem. However, there are countless things that could have gone wrong with an engine swap like this. Just one wire being left disconnected could cause all kinds of problems, including those you describe. I recommend taking the vehicle back to the shop that did the repairs to demand they make things right. If that doesn’t work, the team at YourMechanic would be happy to diagnose and repair your Dodge.

ANSWER : Hello – your intuition is correct. The ring and pinion gear are severely worn, and will need to be replaced (w/all new ring and pinion bearings) to eliminate the "noise under load" you notice. Setting up a ring & pinion gearset and bearings requires specialized skills and equipment. Check with your local auto machine shop for reliable references and sources for this task.

ANSWER : Hi there. Although the engines are the same size internally, it is very common for manufacturers to change the location of engine mounts both on the engine and the interior of the engine compartment. Unfortunately, this type of swap would require some fabrication of the motor mount location in order for it to fit correctly.

ANSWER : Hi There,
This may be an issue related to the communication of the PCM and the TCM (Transmission control module). As you may know, the TCM relies on the PCM to transmit information related to RPM’s, which the TCM then uses to determine when to direct the transmission to shift. The transmission control module has various sensors such as vehicle speed sensors, wheel speed sensors, throttle position sensors, turbine speed sensor, and transmission fluid temperature sensors that all direct information to it in order for it to perform it’s function. Other functions controlled by the TCM are components such as a kick down switch, traction control system, and cruise control module. Any of these may also affect the way the transmission control module performs and controls the transmission and the shifting of your vehicle. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your location to properly diagnose your transmission problem.

ANSWER : Hello. In order to determine if the transmission needs to be replaced, a proper diagnosis would be required. Even if the whining noise sounds similar to that in the video, it can still be possible that the issue is caused by something else. I would recommend having a professional technician diagnose the noise, as a replacement transmission is likely a very expensive repair.

ANSWER : Hi there. To be quite honest, I’ve never experienced any issues with the manual transmission third generation Dodge Ram 3500 Dually. The problems I have seen are typical with automatic transmission powered 3500’s and have more to do with torque converter failure than anything engine related. If you’re looking to buy one, just make sure you are able to obtain any previous service and repair records. If you’ve seen any major repairs completed prior to 100,000 miles, stay away; because the one thing that is common with multiple duallies is when something major breaks; more problems quickly follow.