44RE Governor Pressure Solenoid 1996-99, new and ready to install. Fits the 44RE. Ships fast from the USA.
This is the matched pair that controls shift timing in a 1996-99 Chrysler four-speed: a new governor pressure solenoid, a new governor pressure sensor (the transducer) and the gasket that seals them to the governor body. It is made by Borg Warner Precision Rostra and covers the A500 and A518 families, 42RE and 44RE included, in Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Dakota, Durango and Ram applications. If your truck pulls away in second, will not drop back to first at a stop, or shifts at a different speed every day, this is the set most shops reach for first. It ships from the USA.
A 44RE has no electronic line pressure control. What the computer does manage is governor pressure, the speed signal that pushes the 1-2 and 2-3 shift valves over against throttle pressure. The solenoid sits in the governor body on the valve body and bleeds line oil down to whatever pressure the PCM asks for, using a duty cycle in which more on-time means less pressure. The sensor beside it reports what pressure was actually made, and it doubles as the fluid temperature sensor. The PCM compares the two numbers constantly; once road speed passes roughly 40 mph it stops modulating and lets governor pressure run high to hold the upper gears. Because the solenoid is only as accurate as the sensor reading it is steered by, replacing both together is the cleaner repair.
A scan tool that shows governor pressure is the fastest test: sitting in Drive at zero mph, the reading should be at or near zero, and it should track the desired value as you pull away. If it stays high at a stop, the solenoid is suspect. ATRA warns that a cracked or leaking governor body can produce the same reading, and that cheap replacement solenoids can fail to build full pressure, so check the body while it is out. Our 48RE governor solenoid guide covers the same circuit, and the valve body testing guide helps rule out sticking shift valves.
This set is listed for 1996-1999 A500, A518 and A618 family transmissions, 42RE and 44RE included. The 44RE went into the 1996-98 Grand Cherokee with the 5.2L V8 and into Dakota and Durango models in this period. The sensor here is the early style, and Sonnax notes that 1999-and-earlier units use an oval-connector sensor while later ones switched to a rectangular plastic sensor, so a valve body swapped in from a newer truck may not match. Check the plug on your old sensor, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm. For 2000-up units and other repair parts, browse the 44RE parts page.
The solenoid and sensor are inside the pan, so drain the fluid and drop the pan and filter. Unplug both connectors, unbolt the governor body from the valve body, and move the solenoid and sensor over with the new gasket. The 1998 factory manual calls for 35 in-lb on the governor body screws; tighten them evenly so the body does not distort. Refill with ATF+4, check the level hot, clear codes and road test from a full stop several times. If the output speed sensor or the overdrive and lock-up solenoid are also suspect, the 44RE solenoid kit for 1996-99 adds them, and a 44RE shift kit is worth installing while the pan is already off.
| Fits | 44RE 1996-99 |
| Part type | Governor Pressure Solenoid |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | A500 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
No. It includes the governor pressure solenoid, the governor pressure sensor (transducer) and the gasket. If your speedometer is also acting up or you have a P0720, add an output speed sensor or step up to a full solenoid kit.
Not without matching parts. Later units use a different, rectangular-connector sensor. This set is for the 1996-99 early-style system. Compare the connector on your old sensor before ordering.
The PCM steers the solenoid using the sensor reading. An aging sensor that reads off can make even a new solenoid hold the wrong pressure, so most shops replace both together.
There is no formal adaptive relearn for the 44RE governor circuit. Clear the codes, make sure the fluid level is right with ATF+4, and road test several stops and starts to confirm the truck pulls away in first.
Common causes are a leaking or warped governor body, a sticking shift valve in the valve body, or a problem in the sensor wiring or its power supply. Check governor pressure at a stop with a scan tool or gauge to narrow it down.
