46RE Solenoid Kit 1996-99

This is a complete electronic-governor and overdrive solenoid set for 1996-1999 46RE transmissions, the four-speed behind the 5.2L and 5.9L gas V8 in Dodge Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups, Dakota, Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is new and contains four pieces: the governor pressure solenoid, the governor pressure sensor (transducer), the overdrive and lockup solenoid assembly with its harness, and the governor solenoid body gasket. If your truck starts in second or third, flares or shifts late, lost overdrive, never locks the converter, or keeps setting P1762 or P1763, these are the parts you are probably hunting for.

What the solenoid kit does in a 46RE

The 46RE still makes its 1-2 and 2-3 shifts with hydraulic valves, but from 1996 on the old spinning governor is gone. The PCM builds governor pressure by pulsing the governor pressure solenoid, and the sensor reports the pressure back so the PCM can correct it many times a second. Chrysler's service manual describes the solenoid as inverse-acting: full current gives zero pressure and no current gives maximum, so a dead circuit drives governor pressure high and the truck goes to a third-gear start. The 3-4 shift and converter clutch are handled separately by the overdrive and lockup solenoids, mounted together on one bracket and wired through the internal harness to the case connector. This kit replaces both halves of that system at once.

Symptoms on 1996-1999 46RE trucks

• Pulls away in second or third, or stays in a high gear coming to a stop.
• 1-2 and 2-3 shifts at the wrong road speed, or bouncing between gears at light throttle.
• Jerky, abrupt shifts with a check engine light and P1762 (governor pressure sensor offset).
• P1763 with loss of power and a third-gear failsafe; Transmission Digest calls this chronic on 1996-and-later RE units behind gas engines.
• No fourth gear, no lockup at cruise, or lockup that cycles on and off, which points at the overdrive and TCC side of the kit.
• Limp mode where every forward range holds third and the transmission control relay has dropped out.

How to confirm before you buy

Check charging voltage first. Transmission Digest traced many 1996-1999 P1762 codes to the alternator overcharging and lifting the sensor's 5-volt reference, which no solenoid will fix. Next, compare governor pressure desired against actual on a scan tool, then confirm with a gauge on the governor test port; the factory test calls more than 3 psi at a standstill a fault. GEARS Magazine gives roughly 3.8 to 4.0 ohms across the governor solenoid at 70 F. The 46RE governor pressure solenoid guide walks the whole test, and the 46RE shift solenoid guide covers the overdrive and TCC solenoids and the relay power feed.

Fitment

The listing covers 1996 through 1999 model years. That cutoff is the important detail: Sonnax splits RE valve bodies by sensor style, and units built through 1999 use the early governor pressure sensor with an oval electrical connector, while 2000-and-later units use a rectangular plastic one. A 1996-1999 46RE should take this kit; a truck built in 2000 or later should look at the 2000-up 46RE solenoid kit instead. The same governor layout was also used on the 42RE, 44RE, 47RE and 48RE, but match the sensor connector, the photo and your year before ordering, or send us your year and VIN. Every 46RE part we stock is on the 46RE parts page.

Install notes

• Drain the pan, remove the filter and unplug the case connector. Clean around the governor body before it comes off so no grit reaches the solenoid inlet screen.
• Use the supplied governor body gasket and lubricate the new O-rings with ATF; a leak at the governor body acts like a weak solenoid.
• Inspect the case connector and internal harness for heat cracks and burnt pins while everything is apart.
• Refill with ATF+4 (it supersedes ATF+3 on these units) and check the level hot, in Neutral, engine idling.
• Clear codes and road test. The PCM recalibrates the sensor zero each time the truck slows to near a stop, so no scan-tool relearn is needed.

If only the lockup side has failed and the governor tests good, the single 1999 46RE TCC solenoid is the cheaper fix. If the fluid came out burnt, budget for the clutches as well; the 1998 46RE clutch module is listed below.

What exactly comes in this kit?

Four new pieces: the governor pressure solenoid, the governor pressure sensor, the overdrive and lockup solenoid assembly with harness, and the governor solenoid body gasket.

Will it fit my 2000 or 2001 Ram with a 46RE?

Probably not. Units built through 1999 use the early oval-connector governor pressure sensor, and 2000-up units switched to a rectangular plastic sensor. Look at your sensor plug or send us your VIN.

Can I replace just the governor pressure sensor for P1762?

Often yes. Chrysler tech tip TT9000042 corrects P1762 with jerky shifts on these units by replacing the transducer, not the solenoid. Rule out alternator overcharging first. Buy the full kit when the solenoid also fails a pressure test or the overdrive side is acting up.

Does the transmission pan need to come off to install it?

Yes. The governor solenoid and sensor sit in the governor body under the valve body transfer plate, and the overdrive and lockup solenoids are on the valve body, so drain the pan and remove the filter first.

Which fluid should I refill with?

ATF+4 or a fluid licensed to that spec. Check the level hot in Neutral with the engine running and the truck level.

• 46RE Pressure Control (EPC) Solenoid Symptoms
• 46RE Shift Solenoid Symptoms, Testing and Replacement
• 46RE Valve Body Problems: Symptoms, How to Test, and Replacement
• 46RE Common Problems and Fixes: A Rebuilder's Diagnostic Guide