1997 Dodge Ram transmission problems

What is wrong

Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with manual transmission, v10 engines and four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line can generate line temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line could rupture.

Risk

The fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.

Recall number 99V115000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid temperature can exceed the melting point of the material used in the connector to retain the fluid line to the transmission.

Risk

When these temperatures occur, the fluid line will not stay connected with the transmission and fluid can spray onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in smoke or fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line connector fittings with connectors that incorporate a stainless steel retainer.

Recall number 97V084000 · Recall details

On april 17, 1997, the chrysler corporation filed a defect information report concerning approximately 800,000 1994 through 1997 dodge ram pickups equipped with v6 or v8 engines and automatic transmissions, 1995 through 1997dodge ram pickups equipped with the v10 engine and automatic transmission, and the 1995 and 1996 dodge ram van/wagon equipped with automatic transmission.odi has received eleven reports concerning transmission leakages from the quick connector joints resulting in eight fires.the reported vehicles included are the 1994 and 1995 jeep wrangler, 1995 and 1996 cherokee, 1993 through 1996 grand cherokee, and 1994 and 1995 dodge dakota.the purpose of this investigation is to examine the scope of recall 97v‑084.closing summary: further investigation of consumer reports revealed that some of the transmission leakage was due to other connections along the cooling lines.in the fire incidents, there were indications that some of these vehicles were either used beyond the vehicle's towing capability or had improper transmission repair.in addition, the recalled ram pickup trucks, 98v‑084, have an exhaust manifold near the plastic quick connector joints which effectively presents a heat source to ignite the hot transmission fluid in the event of a leakage.the subject vehicles' quick connector joints are either too far, or positioned completely away, from a heat source or exhaust components.consequently, the fire reports of the subject vehicles are significantly less than those of the dodge ram pickup trucks.based on the available information, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by future circumstances.

RQ98002