Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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2001 Quad, 3.9 V6, Auto W/ Overdrive. 39K

Every now and then the trany seems to be either slipping
or soft in first. Once it gets into 2-4 gear it seems fine.
Plus it will lurtch (sp?) while at a stop light... but only
every now and then. Tempurature makes no difference. It
does it cold, cool, warm or hot. Checked the fluid
according to the owners manual and it's spot on! Going to
take it to DC for a trany service. Hope that will cure the
problem.

Matt Blough
Dodge Dakota
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5/13/2004
01:14:02

RE: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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sounds like someone's done alot of tire burning at stoplights, do you buy it new? is the reverse as weak going into motion? IF im thinking right, the same band that holds first also holds reverse, I may be wrong though.... could be a bad servo, leaking something like that. You might want to add the auxilliary tranny cooler to aid in keeping fluid from being broken down from heat.... btw what color is your fluid? if its brown its' definitely got something burned up inside.

um
Dodge Dakota
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5/13/2004
15:05:43

RE: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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Is this a question related to a recall or dealer service? If not then fcuk off to the correct forum, you brainless ass hole.

Trany
Dodge Dakota
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5/24/2004
15:44:29

RE: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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I took the truck to Dodge on 5/17/2004 and the problem
seemed to go away but not for long the problem has
cropped up again. I found somewhere in the posts
someone else who seemed to have the same problem, but
there were no posts about successful repair or fixes to
the problem.

The problem only seems to show up at stop lights. It acts
like it's not shifting fully into 1st gear. There is a small
"bump" or "thump" like it's in first then slips out while
slowing down at stoplights. When I accelerate from a stop
the truck almost acts like it's in second gear. Also if I put
the truck into "1st" on the column shift it doesn't seem
to fully engage.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Matt Blough- Reverse is rock solid... I bought it used from
a little old lady who only drove it to church on Sunday...

um- I don't know if it's a recall or dealer service... hence
the reason I posted here... you colorful use of the English
language is well noted.. thanks for the constructive
criticism...

Thanks!

Bill Poynter
Dodge Dakota
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6/21/2004
14:33:54

RE: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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I have exactly the same problem with my 98 with 87,000 miles on it. Any one else?

Jimbo360
Dodge Dakota
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7/30/2004
00:19:40

RE: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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I have the exact same problem with my 2000 R/T and I've barely turned 30k. I'm thinking torque converter

fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2004
23:13:15

RE: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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It sounds like a slipping clutch pack in your auto tranny.

Try some of this stuff. Lubeguard Trans saver from Napa (Part No. 7652601). It's suppose to stop clutch slippage and torque converter shudder.

If, this fixes the problem. I suggest you change the filter and trans fluid to ATF+4 or Amsoil. Then i would still add a bottle of lubeguard. It's probably depelted the friction modifiers for the clutch.

Then reset your computer by disconnecting it for 10 min.

Reconnect battery then test drive.

fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/14/2004
00:43:05

RE: Soft Shift in first, Auto Trany
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Oh,
Almost forgot, You may need to adjust your banns. I forget which ones is for 1&2 and there is one for 3rd & reverse.

The adjustment screw, one on the outside of the tranny and one is inside once you take your trans cover off.

If, you are unclear take it to dodge or buy a hayes or Chilton Manual. It tells you how to adjust it.

Jimbo360
Dodge Dakota
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8/14/2004
01:33:22