46RE Transmission Filter, Solenoid and Sensor Service Kit

A 2000-2006 Ram 1500, a Dakota or Durango, or a 2000-2004 Grand Cherokee with the 46RE that suddenly starts in third, holds first too long, or loses overdrive and lockup usually has an electrical problem on the valve body, not burned clutches. This kit puts every one of the common electrical culprits in one box with the filter and gaskets you need once the pan is off: the overdrive/lockup solenoid pack with its internal harness and case connector, the governor pressure solenoid, the governor pressure sensor, an output speed sensor, the valve body filter, pan gaskets, the governor housing gasket, and the accumulator springs with their clip.

What these parts do in a 46RE

Only the 3-4 shift and converter lockup are run by on/off solenoids in the 46RE. First through third are still hydraulic, but governor pressure, which pushes the 1-2 and 2-3 shift valves, is made electronically. The governor pressure solenoid sits in a governor body bolted under the valve body transfer plate. It is fed line pressure and the computer pulses it to bleed that down to the governor pressure it wants: about one amp gives zero pressure, and zero current gives maximum pressure. The governor pressure sensor beside it reports what the solenoid actually produced, and the computer uses output shaft speed from the speed sensor to decide what pressure to ask for. If any link in that loop fails, the computer sets a code and the transmission defaults to third.

Symptoms this kit addresses

• Takes off in third and will not downshift or upshift (governor failsafe)
• P1763 governor pressure sensor volts too high, P1762 sensor offset, or P1757 governor pressure above 3 psi at a stop
• P0720 output speed sensor code, with erratic shift points or speedometer
• No fourth gear and no converter lockup together, often from a chafed internal harness or a leaking case connector
• P1740 or P0740 with a flashing check engine light
• Harsh or late 1-2 and 2-3 shifts that get worse as the fluid heats up

How to confirm before you buy

Codes tell you which circuit the computer did not like, but a pressure gauge settles it. Tee a gauge into the governor pressure port, watch commanded and reported governor pressure on a scan tool, and drive it: if the sensor and the gauge disagree, the sensor is lying; if both trail the command, the solenoid or its filter screen is the problem. Transmission Digest also notes that the sensor shares a ground with other engine sensors, so check that ground before replacing parts. Our 46RE shift solenoid symptoms guide covers the OD and lockup side, and the 46RE speed sensor guide walks through P0720.

Fitment

Listed for 2000-2006 Ram 1500, 2000-2007 Ram 2500, 2000-2006 Ram 3500, 2000-2003 Dakota and Durango, and 2000-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the A518/46RE, plus the matching 42RE, 47RE and 48RE units. The cross references are filter 52118789, governor solenoid 56027720, 4617210 and 52118652, and governor sensor 56028196AA through AD and 68164850AA. The year 2000 matters: that is when the later governor pressure sensor with a rectangular plastic connector came in, and this harness is built for it. A 1999-or-older truck with the oval sensor plug needs the earlier parts instead. If you are unsure, send us your year and VIN. More parts for these trucks are on our 46RE parts page.

Install notes

• Drain and drop the pan, then remove the filter. The governor body, solenoid and sensor come off the bottom of the valve body; the solenoid pack and harness come out with the valve body.
• Use the new governor housing gasket and pan gaskets. Torque the filter screws to about 35 in-lb and the pan bolts to about 150 in-lb.
• Check both band adjustments while the pan is down; the factory calls for it at every filter change.
• Refill with ATF+4. Start with roughly 3 pints after a filter change, then top up to the hot mark in Neutral at about 180 F.
• If the valve body itself is worn, a rebuilt one such as our 46RE valve body for 2000-2001 saves a second pan drop. Buyers who also want a drain plug for future services add the 46RE pan with drain plug.

Will this kit fit my 1998 Ram 1500?

No. It is built for 2000-and-later trucks with the rectangular-connector governor pressure sensor. A 1996-1999 truck uses the earlier oval-connector sensor and its own harness.

Do I need to remove the valve body to install everything?

The governor solenoid and sensor can be reached with the pan off, but the overdrive and lockup solenoid pack with its harness is serviced with the valve body removed, so plan on pulling it.

My truck is stuck in third gear. Will this fix it?

If the cause is the governor pressure sensor, governor solenoid, output speed sensor or the internal harness, yes. Read the codes and check governor pressure with a gauge first, because low fluid or a worn valve body can cause the same complaint.

What fluid and how much do I need?

Use ATF+4. Plan on about 4 quarts for a pan and filter service, adding roughly 3 pints first and topping up to the hot mark.

Do I need a relearn after installing it?

These RE units have no adaptive clutch relearn like later transmissions. Clear the codes, road test, and recheck the fluid level hot.

• 46RE Shift Solenoid Symptoms, Testing and Replacement
• 46RE Speed Sensor Symptoms: Output Sensor, P0720 and P0500
• 46RE Pressure Control (EPC) Solenoid Symptoms
• 46RE High-Mileage Service Checklist