A518 46RE 47RE Governor Pressure Solenoid & Sensor Kit 4617210

This is the two-piece answer to the most common electronic complaint on the early RE transmissions: a governor pressure solenoid and a governor pressure sensor, sold together for 1996-1999 Dodge Ram, Dakota and Jeep Grand Cherokee and 1998-1999 Durango with the A518 (46RE) or A618 (47RE). It suits the owner who has already decided the governor circuit is the problem and has a filter and gasket on the shelf, or who wants to keep the job to the two parts that fail most. The solenoid cross-references to 4617210 and 52118652, and the sensor to 56041403AA and 56027720.

What the solenoid and sensor do in an A518 46RE

The RE family still shifts its first three gears hydraulically. Throttle pressure pushes one way on the 1-2 and 2-3 shift valves, governor pressure pushes the other, and when governor pressure wins the transmission upshifts. Before 1996 a spinning governor on the output shaft made that pressure. From 1996 the PCM makes it instead, using this solenoid to bleed line pressure down inside a small governor body under the valve body. The sensor, often called the transducer, reads the governor pressure that resulted and reports it back as a voltage, and the PCM keeps adjusting solenoid duty cycle until the two agree. If either part drifts, every light-throttle shift point moves with it.

Symptoms of a failing governor solenoid or sensor

• Upshifts that come late and harsh unless you lift off the throttle
• Shifts that come almost immediately, or a launch in second
• No downshift to first when coasting to a stop
• Shift timing that gets worse as the transmission heats up
• Codes P1756 or P1757 (governor pressure not equal to target) and P1762, P1763 or P1764 (sensor offset or voltage out of range)

How to confirm it before buying

A quick resistance check of the solenoid is a good start; ATRA's GEARS magazine lists a healthy unit at about 3.8 to 4.0 ohms at 70 F. Then check what feeds the sensor. Transmission Digest found that on 1996-1999 RE trucks an overcharging alternator can pull the 5-volt sensor reference toward 6 volts and set P1762 with nothing wrong in the transmission, so read charging voltage first. After that, drive with a scan tool showing governor pressure desired and actual, and compare it to a gauge on the governor test port. A scan reading that disagrees with the gauge means the sensor is lying. Agreement that still misses the target points to the solenoid or to valve body wear. Our 46RE governor and pressure control solenoid guide covers the full sequence, and the 46RE common problems guide explains what else causes erratic shifting.

Fitment

The listing covers 1996-1999 Dodge Dakota, Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus 1998-1999 Dodge Durango, with the 42RE, 44RE, 46RE or 47RE. These years use the early sensor with an oval connector. Sonnax's valve body identification guide notes later units switched to a rectangular plastic connector, and the two styles do not interchange, so compare the plug on your old sensor or send us your year and VIN if your truck sits near the changeover. It does not fit 1995-and-older units with the mechanical governor. Everything else we stock for this transmission is on the 46RE parts page.

Install notes

• Drain the fluid and drop the pan. The solenoid and sensor sit side by side in the governor body under the valve body, held by a retaining clip.
• Unplug both, remove the clip, and pull them straight out. Lubricate the new O-rings with ATF+4 and press the new parts in square.
• This pair does not include a filter or gaskets. If you want everything in one box, the 1996-1997 governor solenoid kit adds the output speed sensor, filter and both gaskets.
• Refill with ATF+4 and check the level hot with the engine idling in Park.
• Clear codes and road test with several complete stops. If shifts still wander hot, look at the valve body governor plug bores before blaming the new parts.
• Want firmer shifts while the pan is off? The 46RE shift kit installs during the same service.

What is included?

One governor pressure solenoid and one governor pressure sensor (transducer). There is no filter, pan gasket or output speed sensor in this pair.

Will it fit my 2001 Ram?

No. This pair is for 1996-1999 trucks with the oval-connector sensor. Later units use a rectangular plastic sensor that does not interchange.

Should I replace the solenoid and sensor together?

They work as one circuit and come out through the same pan drop, so replacing both is common on high-mileage trucks. Check charging voltage and wiring first, because an overcharging alternator can set P1762 on a good sensor.

Do I need to replace the fluid?

You lose fluid when the pan comes off, so refill with ATF+4. Fitting a new filter and pan gasket at the same time is cheap insurance.

Does it need programming?

No. The governor parts have no programming step. Clear codes and drive through several full stops so the PCM can rezero the sensor.

• 46RE Pressure Control (EPC) Solenoid Symptoms
• 46RE Common Problems and Fixes: A Rebuilder's Diagnostic Guide
• 46RE Valve Body Problems: Symptoms, How to Test, and Replacement
• 46RE Speed Sensor Symptoms: Output Sensor, P0720 and P0500