Transmission not shifting

Tiny
EDO187
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I seem to be having a problem with the trans it seems to stop shifting all together after about going 5 miles or when it seems to get hot I just got the truck so I don't know to much more then that I just wanted to know if it seemed the trans needed a new filter/screen and fluid or could it be something far worse
Tuesday, June 30th, 2015 AT 3:06 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Check the tranny fluid look at the color is it Redish/Pink or does it look brown/black if brown/black then would suggest doing tranny filter and fluid change. If fixes the issue would recommend taking it somewhere and have the tranny flushed. Not right away but within 5k or so. Also check out this guide

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Tuesday, June 30th, 2015 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
JENNIN0
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,000 MILES
First of all, I love my truck! We have been together eight years now and I have never had any other vehicle for this long. This truck has the 318 5.2L V8 magnum engine, and the 46rh 2wd transmission. A beautiful piece of machinery that has only started to give me trouble within the last two years.

I have replaced a variety of things over the last couple of years and I even had it running so smoothly a year ago that she floated down the highway with ease. But since this past March, I have been forced to start taking public transportation due to various issues surrounding the transmission.

It started with changing the transmission fluid and the pan gasket. I had never changed the fluid since I have owned it and I do not know when/if it was changed last. I bought this truck December 2010 at 82,900 original miles. We changed the fluid and gasket, put it back together, and added new fluid. This was when I first started leaking transmission fluid. This lead to getting a new torque converter in late April. Again we put it back together and new transmission fluid again. I was still leaking transmission fluid and so we replaced the rear seal last month. It has been reassembled and again new fluid. Turns out I am now leaking from the front near the radiator. By the way, the radiator was replaced, and an oil change was also done when the transmission seal was done last month. Then, two nights ago, I was driving and it was acting like it did not have enough transmission fluid (despite the current leak, I had just checked the fluid level and added what I needed), and then I started to smell burnt transmission fluid when I would stop. Then it would take off slowly and not shift properly. It would vary between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm's when shifting. When I left work, it was shifting a little better but not for long. It took me two hours to travel the 7.3 miles home. I frequently had to stop to let it cool down. It would take off slowly and then if I had to press on the brakes it would feel like it was no longer in gear. It has a lot of the same symptoms I experienced when the torque converter had to be replaced. I am afraid that the transmission is done for and I do not know how much this will cost. I am not sure where to even begin with this one.

Any suggestions! I am not ready to part ways with my truck, but this is stressing me out and my funds are limited without the added repairs. And more importantly, I do not know how much more of the bus I can handle.
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
It does sound like the transmission needs to be rebuilt which you should be able to have done for about $850.00. If you remove and replace it yourself here is a video that will give you an idea of how to replace the transmission:

https://youtu.be/3vJAojsrfuU

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EDDIESTRUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1992 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
When I'am going 35 mph. Up to 65 mph.
It does not shift at highend last 2 gear's.
Gear's 3 & 4
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I found this in a service bulletin, not sure if it applies?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/170934_92_dakota_1.jpg

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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PRESTONLANE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • 183,768 MILES
I own a 1991 Dodge Dakota 4x4 v8 w/ over drive and new jasper transmission in and it wont shift into the 4th gear, its stays in 3rd gear?

Also when I slow down from feeway speeds my ildle drops down below 200 rpms and I have to use to feet to keep it running what could be the problem?
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
The idle problem is most likely due to the battery being disconnected or run dead. "Minimum throttle" has to be relearned by the Engine Computer. To meet the conditions for that to occur, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.

Check for diagnostic fault codes stored in the Engine Computer. The computer determines when to allow overdrive. It will not go into overdrive if there is a problem with the transmission temperature sensor, among other causes.
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
1DIFFERANT1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,600 MILES
My transmission shifts up and down continuously. It normally stops this at speeds above 55 mph. It does not matter even if I am coasting down a hill or cruising at normal speed in town this is a 3 speed automatic transmission + overdrive Please help if you can
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:

There could be a few things causing the problem. First I have to ask you a question. Is there an overdrive override switch to the left of the steering wheel? If so, when you turn the overdrive off, does the problem still continue? Are you sure that the trans is shifting and not slipping?

I do believe there is a modulator on the transmission that runs on vacuum. Check and make sure there is no vac leak, make sure there is no ATF in the vac hose. If there is, replace the modulator. If not, have it checked.

If you have any other questions, let me know

Joe
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROJECT37
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
  • 1989 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
This happened all of a sudden with no warning signs I tried starting the truck and it jumped. I started it in neutral but I can't put in gear. We checked the transmission fluid and it was full. Do you think our problem may be the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder?
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there,

Check that the clutch fluid is full and, do you have good pedal pressure, have some one watch the slave cylinder rod while you press the pedal, is it moving? If all this looks fine and there are no fluid leaks, I feel that the problem will be internal, possibly a stuck clutch plate,

mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROJECT37
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
The fluid level was fine and the peddle was fine. When he took out the slave and I pushed a little on the clutch the rod moved. So is there a way to get the clutch plate unstuck?
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Bump start it in 2nd or 3rd gear and go for a drive if you can it may free up when the clutch & fly wheel get a bit of heat into it, that is if it is stuck, this is just my impression at the moment. If it is stuck it will still be in drive with the clutch in and selected in a gear.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROJECT37
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
I guesse it was stuck for a while I went out and started the truck today and it shifted just fine.
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
OK, thats good but remember that there may be a small problem in there, it will not hang up for no reason, keep an eye on things like coolant (a coolant leak at the back of the block may spray water onto the clutch) transmission and oil leaks as well.

Good luck,

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROJECT37
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
A mud dauber built a nest in out timing belt and the belt broke when we tried to start the truck maybe they made a nest in the clutch as well and it worked free.
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Well I'm not that sure what one of those is, as live in Australia, we don't have them here I think, well not by that name anyway, just a s long as your driving again, good luck with it.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, December 18th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)

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