2001 DODGE RAM ECU

(b) Position Gauge Tool 6311 across face of over-
drive case (Fig. 173). Then position Dial Caliper
C-4962 over gauge tool.
(c) Extend sliding scale of dial caliper downward
through gauge tool slot until scale contacts end of
Gauge Alignment Tool 6312. Lock scale in place.
Remove dial caliper tool and note distance mea-
sured (Fig. 173).
(d) Select proper thickness end play spacer from
spacer chart based on distance measured (Fig.
174).
(e) Remove Gauge Alignment Tool 6312.
OD THRUST PLATE SELECTION
(1) Place overdrive unit in vertical position. Mount
it on blocks, or in workbench with appropriate size
mounting hole cut into it. Be sure unit is facing
upward for access to direct clutch hub. Also be sure
output shaft is not loaded and internal components
are moved rearward for accurate measurement.
(2) Determine correct thickness overdrive piston
thrust plate as follows:
(a) Position Gauge Tool 6311 across face of over-
drive case. Then position Dial Caliper C-4962 over
gauge tool (Fig. 175).
(b) Measure distance to clutch hub thrust bear-
ing seat at four points 90É apart. Then average
measurements by adding them and dividing by 4.
(c) Select and install required thrust plate from
information in thrust plate chart (Fig. 176).
(3) Leave Alignment Tool 6227-2 in place. Tool will
keep planetary and clutch hub splines in alignment
until overdrive unit is ready for installation on trans-
mission.
(4) Transmission speed sensor can be installed at
this time if desired. However, it is recommended that
sensor not be installed until after overdrive unit is
secured to transmission.
OVERDRIVE PISTON
(1) Install new seals on over drive piston.
(2) Stand transmission case upright on bellhous-
ing.
(3) Position Guide Ring 8114-1 on outer edge of
overdrive piston retainer.
(4) Position Seal Guide 8114-2 on inner edge of
overdrive piston retainer.
(5) Install overdrive piston in overdrive piston
retainer by: aligning locating lugs on overdrive piston
to the two mating holes in retainer.
(a) Aligning locating lugs on overdrive piston to
the two mating holes in retainer.
(b) Lubricate overdrive piston seals with Mopart
Door Ease, or equivalent.
(c) Install piston over Seal Guide 8114-2 and
inside Guide Ring 8114-1.
Fig. 172 Overdrive Clutch Pack Retaining Ring
Installation
1 - OVERDRIVE CLUTCH PACK RETAINING RING
Fig. 173 Shaft End Play Measurement
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6312
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6311
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4962
Fig. 174 Intermediate Shaft End Play Spacer
Selection
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 403
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

(d) Push overdrive piston into position in
retainer.
(e) Verify that the locating lugs entered the lug
bores in the retainer.
(6) Install intermediate shaft spacer on intermedi-
ate shaft.
(7) Install overdrive piston thrust plate on over-
drive piston.
(8) Install overdrive piston thrust bearing on over-
drive piston.
(9) Install transmission speed sensor and O-ring
seal in overdrive case (Fig. 119).
INSTALLATION
(1) Be sure overdrive unit Alignment Tool 6227-2
is fully seated before moving unit. If tool is not
seated and gear splines rotate out of alignment, over-drive unit will have to be disassembled in order to
realign splines.
(2) If overdrive piston retainer was not removed
during service and original case gasket is no longer
reusable, prepare new gasket by trimming it.
(3) Cut out old case gasket around piston retainer
with razor knife (Fig. 177).
(4) Use old gasket as template and trim new gas-
ket to fit.
(5) Position new gasket over piston retainer and
on transmission case. Use petroleum jelly to hold
gasket in place if necessary. Do not use any type of
sealer to secure gasket. Use petroleum jelly only.
(6) Install selective spacer on intermediate shaft, if
removed. Spacer goes in groove just rearward of
shaft rear splines (Fig. 178).
Fig. 175 Overdrive Piston Thrust Plate Measurement
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6311
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH HUB THRUST BEARING SEAT
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4962
Fig. 176 Overdrive Piston Thrust Plate Selection
Fig. 177 Trimming Overdrive Case Gasket
1 - GASKET
2 - SHARP KNIFE
Fig. 178 Intermediate Shaft Selective Spacer
Location
1 - SELECTIVE SPACER
2 - SPACER GROOVE
3 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
21 - 404 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

ADJUSTMENT
Check linkage adjustment by starting engine in
PARK and NEUTRAL. Adjustment is acceptable if
the engine starts in only these two positions. Adjust-
ment is incorrect if the engine starts in one position
but not both positions
If the engine starts in any other position, or if the
engine will not start in any position, the park/neutral
switch is probably faulty.
LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT
Check condition of the shift linkage (Fig. 225). Do
not attempt adjustment if any component is loose,
worn, or bent. Replace any suspect components.
Replace the grommet securing the shift rod or
torque rod in place if either rod was removed from
the grommet. Remove the old grommet as necessary
and use suitable pliers to install the new grommet.
(1) Shift transmission into PARK.
(2) Raise and support vehicle.
(3) Loosen lock bolt in front shift rod adjusting
swivel (Fig. 225).
(4) Ensure that the shift rod slides freely in the
swivel. Lube rod and swivel as necessary.
(5) Move transmission shift lever fully rearward to
the Park detent.
(6) Center adjusting swivel on shift rod.
(7) Tighten swivel lock bolt to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.).
(8) Lower vehicle and verify proper adjustment.
SOLENOID
DESCRIPTION
The typical electrical solenoid used in automotive
applications is a linear actuator. It is a device that
produces motion in a straight line. This straight line
motion can be either forward or backward in direc-
tion, and short or long distance.
A solenoid is an electromechanical device that uses
a magnetic force to perform work. It consists of a coil
of wire, wrapped around a magnetic core made from
steel or iron, and a spring loaded, movable plunger,
which performs the work, or straight line motion.
The solenoids used in transmission applications
are attached to valves which can be classified asnor-
mally openornormally closed. Thenormally
opensolenoid valve is defined as a valve which
allows hydraulic flow when no current or voltage is
applied to the solenoid. Thenormally closedsole-
noid valve is defined as a valve which does not allow
hydraulic flow when no current or voltage is applied
to the solenoid. These valves perform hydraulic con-
trol functions for the transmission and must there-
fore be durable and tolerant of dirt particles. For
these reasons, the valves have hardened steel pop-pets and ball valves. The solenoids operate the valves
directly, which means that the solenoids must have
very high outputs to close the valves against the siz-
able flow areas and line pressures found in current
transmissions. Fast response time is also necessary
to ensure accurate control of the transmission.
The strength of the magnetic field is the primary
force that determines the speed of operation in a par-
ticular solenoid design. A stronger magnetic field will
cause the plunger to move at a greater speed than a
weaker one. There are basically two ways to increase
the force of the magnetic field:
²Increase the amount of current applied to the
coil or
²Increase the number of turns of wire in the coil.
The most common practice is to increase the num-
ber of turns by using thin wire that can completely
fill the available space within the solenoid housing.
The strength of the spring and the length of the
plunger also contribute to the response speed possi-
ble by a particular solenoid design.
A solenoid can also be described by the method by
which it is controlled. Some of the possibilities
include variable force, pulse-width modulated, con-
stant ON, or duty cycle. The variable force and pulse-
width modulated versions utilize similar methods to
control the current flow through the solenoid to posi-
tion the solenoid plunger at a desired position some-
Fig. 225 Linkage Adjustment Components
1 - FRONT SHIFT ROD
2 - TORQUE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
3 - TORQUE SHAFT ARM
4 - ADJUSTING SWIVEL
5 - LOCK BOLT
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 423
SHIFT MECHANISM (Continued)

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
The torque converter clutch is hydraulically
applied and is released when fluid is vented from the
hydraulic circuit by the torque converter control
(TCC) solenoid on the valve body. The torque con-
verter clutch is controlled by the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). The torque converter clutch engages
in fourth gear, and in third gear under various con-
ditions, such as when the O/D switch is OFF, when
the vehicle is cruising on a level surface after the
vehicle has warmed up. The torque converter clutch
will disengage momentarily when an increase in
engine load is sensed by the PCM, such as when the
vehicle begins to go uphill or the throttle pressure is
increased.
REMOVAL
(1) Remove transmission and torque converter
from vehicle.
(2) Place a suitable drain pan under the converter
housing end of the transmission.
CAUTION: Verify that transmission is secure on the
lifting device or work surface, the center of gravity
of the transmission will shift when the torque con-
verter is removed creating an unstable condition.
The torque converter is a heavy unit. Use caution
when separating the torque converter from the
transmission.
(3) Pull the torque converter forward until the cen-
ter hub clears the oil pump seal.
(4) Separate the torque converter from the trans-
mission.
INSTALLATION
Check converter hub and drive notches for sharp
edges, burrs, scratches, or nicks. Polish the hub and
notches with 320/400 grit paper or crocus cloth if nec-
essary. The hub must be smooth to avoid damaging
the pump seal at installation.
(1) Lubricate oil pump seal lip with transmission
fluid.
(2) Place torque converter in position on transmis-
sion.
CAUTION: Do not damage oil pump seal or bushing
while inserting torque converter into the front of the
transmission.
(3) Align torque converter to oil pump seal open-
ing.
(4) Insert torque converter hub into oil pump.
(5) While pushing torque converter inward, rotate
converter until converter is fully seated in the oil
pump gears.(6) Check converter seating with a scale and
straightedge (Fig. 240). Surface of converter lugs
should be 1/2 in. to rear of straightedge when con-
verter is fully seated.
(7) If necessary, temporarily secure converter with
C-clamp attached to the converter housing.
(8) Install the transmission in the vehicle.
(9) Fill the transmission with the recommended
fluid.
TORQUE CONVERTER
DRAINBACK VALVE
DESCRIPTION
The drainback valve is located in the transmission
cooler outlet (pressure) line.
OPERATION
The valve prevents fluid from draining from the
converter into the cooler and lines when the vehicle
is shut down for lengthy periods. Production valves
have a hose nipple at one end, while the opposite end
is threaded for a flare fitting. All valves have an
arrow (or similar mark) to indicate direction of flow
through the valve.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - TORQUE
CONVERTER DRAINBACK VALVE
The converter drainback check valve is located in
the cooler outlet (pressure) line near the radiator
tank. The valve prevents fluid drainback when the
Fig. 240 Checking Torque Converter Seating -
Typical
1 - SCALE
2 - STRAIGHTEDGE
21 - 432 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
TORQUE CONVERTER (Continued)

DISASSEMBLY
CAUTION: Do not clamp any valve body component
in a vise. This practice can damage the component
resulting in unsatisfactory operation after assembly
and installation. Do not use pliers to remove any of
the valves, plugs or springs and do not force any of
the components out or into place. The valves and
valve body housings will be damaged if force is
used. Tag or mark the valve body springs for refer-
ence as they are removed. Do not allow them to
become intermixed.
(1) Disconnect wires from governor pressure sen-
sor and solenoid.
(2) Remove screws attaching governor body and
retainer plate to transfer plate.
(3) Remove retainer plate, governor body and gas-
ket from transfer plate.
(4) Remove governor pressure sensor from gover-
nor body.
(5) Remove governor pressure solenoid by pulling
it straight out of bore in governor body. Remove and
discard solenoid O-rings if worn, cut, or torn.
(6) Remove small shoulder bolt that secures sole-
noid harness case connector to 3-4 accumulator hous-
ing (Fig. 268). Retain shoulder bolt. Either tape it to
harness or thread it back into accumulator housing
after connector removal.
(7) Unhook overdrive/converter solenoid harness
from 3-4 accumulator cover plate (Fig. 269).
(8) Turn valve body over and remove screws that
attach overdrive/converter solenoid assembly to valve
body (Fig. 270).
(9) Remove solenoid and harness assembly from
valve body (Fig. 271).
(10) Remove boost valve cover (Fig. 272).
(11) Remove boost valve retainer, valve spring and
boost valve (Fig. 273).
Fig. 268 Solenoid Harness Case Connector
Shoulder Bolt
1 - SOLENOID HARNESS CASE CONNECTOR
2 - 3-4 ACCUMULATOR HOUSING
Fig. 269 Unhooking Solenoid Harness From
Accumulator Cover Plate
1 - OVERDRIVE/CONVERTER SOLENOID WIRE HARNESS
2 - 3-4 ACCUMULATOR COVER PLATE
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 453
VALVE BODY (Continued)

(12) Secure detent ball and spring with Retainer
Tool 6583 (Fig. 274).
(13) Remove park rod E-clip and separate rod from
manual lever (Fig. 275).
(14) Remove E-clip and washer that retains throt-
tle lever shaft in manual lever (Fig. 276).
(15) Remove manual lever and throttle lever (Fig.
277). Rotate and lift manual lever off valve body and
throttle lever shaft. Then slide throttle lever out of
valve body.
(16) Position pencil magnet next to detent housing
to catch detent ball and spring. Then carefully
remove Retainer Tool 6583 and remove detent ball
and spring (Fig. 278).
(17) Remove screws attaching pressure adjusting
screw bracket to valve body and transfer plate (Fig.
279). Hold bracket firmly against spring tension
while removing last screw.
Fig. 274 Detent Ball And Spring
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6583 POSITIONED ON DETENT HOUSING
Fig. 275 Park Rod
1 - MANUAL LEVER
2 - E-CLIP
3 - PARK ROD
Fig. 276 Throttle Lever E-Clip And Washer
1 - THROTTLE LEVER SHAFT
2 - E-CLIP AND WASHER
3 - MANUAL SHAFT
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 455
VALVE BODY (Continued)

VALVE BODY UPPER HOUSING
(1) Note location of check balls in valve body upper
housing (Fig. 292). Then remove the one large diam-
eter and the six smaller diameter check balls.
(2) Remove governor plug and shuttle valve covers
(Fig. 294).
(3) Remove E-clip that secures shuttle valve sec-
ondary spring on valve stem (Fig. 293).
(4) Remove throttle plug, primary spring, shuttle
valve, secondary spring, and spring guides (Fig. 294).
(5) Remove boost valve retainer, spring and valve
if not previously removed.
(6) Remove throttle plug and 1-2 and 2-3 governor
plugs (Fig. 281).
(7) Turn upper housing around and remove limit
valve and shift valve covers (Fig. 295).
(8) Remove limit valve housing. Then remove
retainer, spring, limit valve, and 2-3 throttle plug
from limit valve housing (Fig. 295).
(9) Remove 1-2 shift control valve and spring (Fig.
295).
(10) Remove 1-2 shift valve and spring (Fig. 295).
(11) Remove 2-3 shift valve and spring from valve
body (Fig. 295).
(12) Remove pressure plug cover (Fig. 295).
(13) Remove line pressure plug, sleeve, throttle
pressure plug and spring (Fig. 295).
Fig. 289 Transfer Plate
1 - UPPER HOUSING
2 - TRANSFER PLATE
Fig. 290 Upper Housing Separator Plate
1 - TRANSFER PLATE
2 - UPPER HOUSING SEPARATOR PLATE
3 - FILTER SCREEN
4 - BRACE
Fig. 291 Rear Clutch And Rear Servo Check Ball
1 - REAR CLUTCH CHECK BALL
2 - REAR SERVO CHECK BALL
3 - TRANSFER PLATE
21 - 460 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
VALVE BODY (Continued)

BOOST VALVE TUBE AND BRACE
(1) Position valve body assembly so lower housing
is facing upward (Fig. 308).
(2) Lubricate tube ends and housing ports with
transmission fluid or petroleum jelly.
(3) Start tube in lower housing port first. Then
swing tube downward and work opposite end of tube
into upper housing port (Fig. 308).
(4) Insert and seat each end of tube in housings.
(5) Slide tube brace under tube and into alignment
with valve body screw holes (Fig. 309).
(6) Install and finger tighten three screws that
secure tube brace to valve body housings (Fig. 309).
(7) Bend tube brace tabs up and against tube to
hold it in position (Fig. 310).
(8) Tighten all valve body housing screws to 4 N´m
(35 in. lbs.) torque after tube and brace are installed.
Tighten screws in diagonal pattern starting at center
and working outward.
3-4 ACCUMULATOR
(1) Position converter clutch valve and 3-4 shift
valve springs in housing (Fig. 311).
(2) Loosely attach accumulator housing with right-
side screw (Fig. 311). Install only one screw at this
time as accumulator must be free to pivot upward for
ease of installation.
(3) Install 3-4 shift valve and spring.
(4) Install converter clutch timing valve and
spring.(5) Position plug on end of converter clutch valve
spring. Then compress and hold springs and plug in
place with fingers of one hand.
(6) Swing accumulator housing upward over valve
springs and plug.
(7) Hold accumulator housing firmly in place and
install remaining two attaching screws. Be sure
springs and clutch valve plug are properly seated
(Fig. 312). Tighten screws to 4 N´m (35 in. lbs.).
Fig. 308 Boost Valve Tube
1 - BOOST VALVE TUBE
2 - LOWER HOUSING
3 - DISENGAGE THIS END OF TUBE FIRST
4 - UPPER HOUSING
Fig. 309 Boost Valve Tube And Brace
1 - BOOST VALVE TUBE
2 - TUBE BRACE
Fig. 310 Securing Boost Valve Tube With Brace
Tabs
1 - BEND TABS UP AGAINST TUBE AS SHOWN
21 - 472 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
VALVE BODY (Continued)