Four problems related to automatic transmission torque converter have been reported for the 1997 Dodge RAM. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Made three trips to dealer for engine light over a period of 45 days. First trip was on 10/3/01with a charge of $132. 25 tech found torque converter not working. Cleaned torque converter solenoid. Second trip to dealer was made on 10/30/01 with check engine light on again. Tech found same problem again and replaced torque converter solinoid for charge of $246. 58. Third trip was made on 11/13/01 with check engine light again on. This time tech said probably an internal leak "somewhere" but don't know where. Said ok to drive until transmission starts slipping. Check engine light came on again on the way home and trans began slipping next day. Returning to dealer on 11/15/01 the transmission gave out completely and had to be towed. Dealer called on 11/16/01 stating that the front plate in transmission had failed and probably could never get all the metal out of transmission. Now cost will be $2200 for a rebuilt transmission.
Mechanic explained that overdrive failed, causing complete destruction of transmission, torque converter and related electronics. Mechanic also mentioned many similar failures in newer pickup trucks.
The torque converter shredded itself it cost $2000 to make all necessary repairs to transmission.
Torque converter burned, transmission was slipping, but dealer refused to fix the problem.