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michigan mike
Dodge Dakota
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5/25/2004
12:27:14
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 Subject: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Okay, hoping somebody here can offer some bright news or at least enlighten me to what this is likely to cost me....
My 2000 QC 4x4 with the 4.7 V8 has about 90,000 miles...I bought it used from a Chrysler dealer with abot 45,000 miles on the clock already about 2 years ago. Its been pretty reliable for the most part, aside from the random balljoint issue that seems to plague these trucks....
HERE IT IS:
While driving the truck at about 35 mph in smooth-moving traffic near my house just a few days ago, the transmission started 'bucking'...I can only describe this as the transmission seemed to be hunting violently for a gear, and then banging harshly into drive. The truck did this about four or five times in a one-mile distance, and then the "check engine" icon blinked on on the dashboard. I managed to get the truck home and park it without this happening too much more, but I haven't had a chance to get it to the dealer yet.
Is this a common sign of impending doom for this transmission?!?! Hoping it is simply a sensor or programming problem, but my gut instinct is telling me that this is going to be a pricey thing to remedy....
Basically looking to hear from anybody who has had similar experience with this transmission.
Thanks Guys!!!
-Mike T
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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5/25/2004
15:35:45
|  Welcome to the club
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Mine does the same way yours perform but mine is the lemon of all auto trannys. 46RH.
But it still works so why bother to fix it;besides my truck is almost at the 200 K mark.
Your truck might still be under warranty so take it back to the dealer. One thing I do know about the 45REF is that is computer controlled so you might need to reset the codes.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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5/25/2004
15:36:35
|  RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Or you could get a Jet performance chip.
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michigan mike
Dodge Dakota
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5/25/2004
15:49:43
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Hey thanks, this is helping me frame an approach to dealing with this....but what exactly do I ask the dealer, then, about getting the codes updated? Is this something that they should be very familiar with, and not look at me funny for asking such a thing? I recall that I asked once about checking to see if the engine management computer needed a code update, and they told me that there was no such thing...
I guess I just assume the dealer will, unless I am very strong and informed with them, just take in my truck, keep it a few days, and then call me and inform me that they need $2000 for a new transmission, I really don't trust Dodge Service Centers a whole lot....
In my case, this is acting up so badly that it is virtually undriveable, and gives the impression it is about to destroy itself with the violent shifting up and down.
anything to offer as far as dealing with the dodge service people?
thanks again guys.
-Mike T
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probably not
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
00:08:07
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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I doubt that your trans has gone south. The 45RFE has been very durable and rarley fails (unlike the 46RE). It is the same trans that is behind the HEMI and is designed to take more power than your dakota has. Some early 45RFE trannys had a problem with the shift solenoid bolts pulling out of the valve body, but that is not very common and you would know it right away (loss of third gear). Due to the fact that this trans learns how you drive and adapts shift patterns to your habits, it is very sensitive to sudden throttle changes and will sometimes shift harshly. There are many transmission controller software updates for similar problems. It is possible that an input or output speed sensor may be failing causing the "gear hunting" problem. I would take your truck to a trusted dealer and have them check it out. I doubt it will be as bad as you think.
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probably not
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
00:28:44
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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After typing my previous response I read the rest of your message. If it is virtually undriveable have you noticed if the check engine light is on? This really sounds like an electrical problem to me. Is your local dealer a FIVE STAR? If so you should be able to trust them. If they don't fix it right the first time, stomp your feet (like our customers do) and they should bend over backwards and fix it for no further charge (like we do). If you have a problem call the chrysler customer service hotline in your owners manual. There is no reason why customers should not trust the dealer's service department. If you do not trust them, let chrysler know about it. I have read so many bad posts about poor service from the dealers it makes me sick. The dealer I work for goes too far to please our customers to let a few bad ones tarnish the reputation of all of them. So if your dealer deserves the bad reputation-let em have it and tell the people who can do something about it. Or at least threaten to do so. I hope we are not the only dealership out there with good techs. Good luck.
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michigan mike
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
02:22:10
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Yes, the 'check engine' light is on in the dashboard....at least the little light that looks like an engine is lit. It came on in the middle of all the transmission commotion.
You've encouraged me to have a bit more faith in the dealer, so I'll go in with a degree of optimism....but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from some previous experiences. (being told nothing was wrong while the vehicle was under warranty) but needless to say I have been going to another dealer that has been fairly forthright with me so far.
definitely appreciate your sincerity!
I'll give it a go after the holiday weekend.
thanks
-Mike T
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Kowalski
Gen III
5/26/2004
16:20:04
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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You could pull the code using the key on off on off on trick; then use the search engine on this forum to find out what the problem is. Code will set in the odometer.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
17:49:23
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Well hold on a min. The 45RFE is not just bolted on to the 348 cid Hemi Mag. You are refering to the 545 REF that is based upon the 45 series. Just like the 47 is based on the 46 and so forth.
I think it could be just the engine codes and no the transmission Mike. If you only have 30K on your truck then take it back to the dealer and get them to smooth out the problem.
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ZZ
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
21:17:03
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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You have a bad sensor or your engine computer is dying. My old Grand Am had the same problem.
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Ian
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
23:41:58
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Joe C u r wrong. All the 545rfe is is a 45rfe with and extra gear programmed into it, the 2003 and 2004 4.7 daks also have the 545rfe, it is merely a change of programming no physical differences, i.e. no power capability differences
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Kowalski
GenIII
5/29/2004
05:58:30
|  RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Yup - the truck being referred to is a 2000 Joe C - he's definitely not referring to the 545, but rather the very similar 45RFE.
Michigan Mike - did you figure the codes out ?
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Slim-Jim
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2004
17:43:20
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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No Ian it you who is the dumbass.
The 5-45 is not just a 45REF thats mated to a more powerfull motor like the Hemi or the High out put 287 powertech. The gear ratios or differnt
(5th-.67) and the componits are beefed up to handle the extra toruqe.
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fogerchini
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2004
19:59:52
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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hey mike do you have a autozone near you? If you do they scan computers for free to find out what the code is. If the code is a trans sensor code (i cannot remember exactly the code #) then more than likely you have a bad input or output sensor on the trans. Very common problem on chryslers. the input sensor watches the rpm of the engine and tells the computer what speed you are at and then determines when to shift the trans.hope this helps fogerchini
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Exocet
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2004
20:01:01
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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Ian is correct. The 45RFE and 545RFE are mechanically identical. The only difference is the software programming. There have been previous posts on this site about how this is accomplished. Some members have even had their 45RFEs reprogrammed from 4 speeds to 5 speeds.
In some respects, the 545RFE nomenclature is confusing. It should really be a 55RFE, with the "55" meaning "5 speeds" and a "5" torque rating, just as the "45" in the 45RFE means "4 speeds" and a "5" torque rating. I don't know why DC chose to name it this way.
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Wild D
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2015
23:37:19
| RE: 45RFE Tranny gone south???
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If you r talkin about the transmission control module (TCM) the
code is usually P0700
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