Transmission slips only once when it is cold

DODGEDAKOTA00

MEMBER
2000 DODGE DAKOTA
3.9L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
102,000 MILES

It feels like my transmission is slipping when I first pull out of my drive way and give it a little gas. It has been cold where I live about twenty degrees F average. When the truck is cold the transmission will slip only once the rpm's spike a little and the truck jerks forward it only does it once when your first drive. After that it shifts fine. The fluid was low and I added a Quart of ATF +3 which is what Chrysler recommends. The fluid is now right in the middle of the okay marks. It is a four speed automatic transmission. Any help to what this could be would be much appreciated.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like you have a filter inside the transmission that is plugging up. I would do a service first to see if that helps which it should.
Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Also, we should run the codes to see if anything comes up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken