Lately, my 92 Dodge Ram Van B250 3.9L V6 may jerk once a while when the speed reaches 65mph or higher. However, it runs fine below 60mph. I thought the car might need some maintenance service. So, I sent it to do a 30K miles service lately. The maintenance included detailed tune-up which replaced all the plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor(I am sure those parts are all new). Also, had the fuel filter and transmission fluid replaced. Even, had the fuel injection head cleaned. However, the problem still exists. :( Is that possible a tranny problem? However, the drive is very smooth until the speed reached 65mph, the jerk happens. BTW, the car is 3 speed transmission. I saw there is a speedometer sensor connected to the tranny, is that possible the speedometer sensor went bad? I don't know how the automatical transmission work. My Van has only 68K miles so far.
Thanks, -tj
SPs 77 Dodge
01-23-2005, 11:12 AM
It sounds like it's trying to down into passing gear. You may need to have your trans kick down lever (cable?) adjusted.
tyen
01-23-2005, 06:49 PM
Thanks for the suggestion. Is that the trans kick down lever (cable) can be adjusted by myself or need to be done by the trans shop? BTW, is that possible the computer received wrong speed data from the speed sensor on the trans and trys to gear down the trans? Each time, after the jerk, the car ran smooth for a while and then did it again. It seems to me the trans shifting up and down without glitch. However, it starts to jerk if the speed faster than 65mph. The jerk became bigger when the speed is higher. So, it's really puzzle me.
Thanks, -tj
SPs 77 Dodge
01-24-2005, 10:49 AM
I'm not to much up on the workings of the computer controlled vehicles, Hopefully someone else here can shed some more light on the situation for you.
Dodgevanman
01-24-2005, 11:59 AM
The transmission in your van is totally hydraulic. The speed sensor is strictly for the speedometer. It could be possible that the torque converter keeps locking and unlocking....that is if you have a locking type converter.
What transmission do you have?
tyen
01-24-2005, 10:46 PM
It's a three speed automatic transmission. No overdrive. I am not sure how to find its part number or model. But, is that possible to tell if the transmission has a locking type torque converter? I checked the 1992 Dodge manual, it didn't mention the troubleshooting of the transmission problem. But, it has a section talking about the car symptom and it's possible problem. One of them is the car surging when reach high speed. The possible reason is the plug wire, distributor cap, PCV valve, fuel filter, & pump, EGR. etc. I had the wire, distributor, roter and plug replaced. The fuel filter is new. I am wondering if the high voltage coil leak which may stall the engine for a short time? Anyway, it's interesting to learn from the book and people to figure out the problem. Thanks for your advice.
-tj
Dodgevanman
01-25-2005, 07:01 AM
Hmmmm. Never thought about the coil, but it is quite possible that it's breaking down as the speed and load increases. I don't think they're that expensive...it might be worth a shot replacing it.
victorybaptist
08-11-2005, 05:18 PM
I know it has been some time since the posting of this thread but I have a 92 Dodge 250 Van with a 360 that does the exact same thing. I haven't spent much on it yet but the mechanics I have talked to want to all of the things you described and charge a fortune. Did you ever find out what the problem was??? :help: :help:
tyen
08-11-2005, 10:06 PM
No. Because I don't drive the van often on the highway, I haven't really tried to fix it. It's kind of strange that the symptom only happens during the high speed like >60miles/hr. Now, I am wondering if the gas pump filter or gas pump itself or maybe sensor problem. Is that your van a 4 speed or 3 speed transmission?
I am not sure if the dealer has any equipment can do the diagnostic when putting the van in a real running state. But, if you find anything, please keep me posted as well.
Thanks.
victorybaptist
08-12-2005, 03:07 PM
Mine is a 3 speed transmission. I put another thread in and have had one reply that it might be the throttle sensor or map sensor. I'm not much in the electronics so I am trying to get someone to tell me where they are and how to check them. Just off the top of my head it seems like the throttle sensor might make sense? I"ll let you know if I find anything out. I haven't done much to mine but I do need it. My van has the big 360 V-8 engine but besides it being a 3-speed I.m not sure what tranny.
tyen
11-02-2005, 02:29 AM
It's been a while since last time we exchanged the email, have you got the Van fixed? I am wondering what was the problem. Thanks.
DannyDT
07-01-2008, 07:01 AM
My van 98 b2500 seems to jump down a gear too early. I'm thinking kick down cable.
Is your transmission problems happening with your foot on or off the gas?
mine happens as soon as i come off the gas
DannyDT
07-11-2009, 09:28 PM
mine is looking like the TPS is the culprit..
Little Mac
08-24-2009, 11:06 AM
We were on a trip yesterday, I have a 88b250 5.2 , anyways above 65 it seemed to jerk every once in a while, I figured it to be bad gas (water in gas) but everytime above 65 it would jerk abit, back off and it was fine. anyways, couple hundred miles up the road, there was a loud bang, engine died, smoke, we jumped out looked under and there was fire on the exhaust, got that out, and there was oil dripping. so I though well, i blew the engine. called a tow truck , it got here this morning I looked everything over, could not find a blow out anywhere, no hole in the pan or block. got to looking all over it and discovered the coil had exploded, so I figure , the jerking was from this coil breaking down, then finally exploded. It was a new coil, cheap i will say that. anyone ever had a coil explode???
