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WSikorski
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2007
19:59:22
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 Subject: 2000 QC transmission
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Hi all,
I have a 2000 Dakota QC 4.7 Auto 4x4. current millage 85,000
When accelerating the truck feels like it has a "shudder", prior to upshifting, kind of like driving on the shoulder rumble strip. This happens from a dead stop and while accelerating onto the highway, more pronounced when going uphill. Seems to not occur while going downhill or If I back off of the throttle when it is happening. Otherwise, everything is fine. It just started about 2 weeks ago.
Any thoughts as to the cause? Fixes?
Wayne
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Dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/05/2007
23:20:22
|  RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
I believe I am exceptionally familiar with your condition and what you are describing, although this condition started for my truck about the 5 - 10K mark. Like you, I have a 2000 QC, 4.7, 4x4 (3.92 posi). I had a number of visits to the dealer, but in my case, they described it as normal. It did occur a lot (especially uphill on moderate throttle), but wasn’t overly severe and hence they dismissed the item as expected operation. This nuisance haunted me for about the first 60 thousand miles until I found a cure. This was my sole complaint for my truck and I am ecstatic it is gone.
I corrected the condition by purchasing a TransGo Reprogramming Kit for the 45RFE and the problem is at least 98% corrected. Every now and then, and this is very rare now, I do still experience the shudder, although very reduced from before. During the vast majority of my driving, this situation is completely gone, although I feel it maybe 1-2 times a month. The TransGo Kit is by far the best mod I have made to my truck as the shudder (2-3 upshift) was driving me completely nuts.
There are also other benefits to the modifications. The very slow shifts with the 45RFE are gone and the shifts are very firm and quick. Very sweet. Not harsh, but finally a very positive feel and shifts don’t feel like they hang for a ‘second’ between gears. I can’t exactly say it is as strong as say a B&M shift kit is in a 727, but it is unbelievably better than stock. I know the PCM actually retards ignition with the 4.7 / 45RFE combination in stock configuration during shifts. The kit also contains a transistor to modify signals to the PCM. The modification isn’t overly involved, but does involve dropping the tranny pan and removing the valve body. A number of springs are replaced and a different plate is placed on the valve body that appears more restrictive. I am sure this increases overall fluid pressure.
The folks at TransGo were very helpful when I called with a question. It took me the better part of an afternoon to install, although I would be much quicker now that I have done it.
Be careful though, there are TWO kits that TransGo produces for the 45RFE. You DO NOT want the ‘shift kit’, you definitely want the ‘reprogramming kit’. Other than the name, it is easy to differentiate as the shift kit is sub fifty dollars while the reprogramming kit is much closer to one hundred. Install it, I will guarantee you won’t be disappointed! I love it! It is so much better than stock!
If you have specific questions, I can call you to discuss if you provide an email where we can exchange information.
Dan
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WSikorski
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2007
20:44:24
| RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
Thanks for the reply.
Turns out a fluid and filter change cleared it up. Go figure...
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Kowalski
GenIII
5/08/2007
16:03:39
|  RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
No one should accept this as normal - I have the same tranny and mine's never done that; but I do the recomended service.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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PETE
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2007
17:12:52
| RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
Nothing is considered NORMAL you feel it so something needs to addressed and if I were you would take on the responsibilty and find a trust worthy transmisson mechanic familar with these transmissons we have and take him for a test drive and let him drive as well and make a diagnoisis if these is NORMAL to me if you haven't changed your trans fluid yet or recently I would definetly do and be sure to put the correct trans fluid and to the proper level no underfilled or overfilled and if you do it yourself give it some good attention and look,smell,feel the fluid and if doubt take a sample to a good trans mechanic, but these days and age everybody is out to take your wallet for a ride espically these these transmissons we have in our trucks . Good Luck...
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Dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2007
19:50:49
| RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
I definitely didn't think it was normal. My transmission has been serviced correctly (and actually early by quite a bit) and not abused. I know the dealer I worked with had some knowledge of the behavior, but wasn't willing to take the steps to correct as it had the most up to date flashes. Of course this tranny only has so many options (no bands). Not pleased, but honestly not sure what dealer options i had.
TransGo on the other hand was familiar with my description. The technician was confident the kit would correct the condition (as it did). My condition was alleviated and the truck finally shifts firm, even under part throttle (line pressure increased and reducing the amount of retarding applied to timing between shifts). I haven't driven later years of the 45RFE or even the 545RFE so I can't say whether they can have the same situation I experienced. I would expect they would utilize the slight retarding of timing to promote soft shifts, but maybe the shudder I used to have was an anomaly. In my case, performance was improved in several ways.
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Kowalski
GenIII
5/09/2007
16:28:18
| RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
The shudder you used to have was definitely an anomly - like I said before mine has always shifted normally. That's an early 45RFE that's seen towing and plowing duty too. I think you're missing something when you complain "this tranny only has so many options (no bands)" The planetary gear design that eliminated problematic bands has been quite reliable with the severe use I've given it; in fact the planetary gear design gives us more options - like the ability to electronically add more gears. Sorry you had trouble with yours, but most are very reliable. I welcome never having to adjust the bands this tranny doesn't have.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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WSikorski
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2007
17:03:29
| RE: 2000 QC transmission - UPDATE
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My reprieve after the fluid filter change was short lived...
As it turns out, it wasn't the transmission.
It was the limited-slip differential grenading itself into pieces.
There was a "C-clip" and other large chunks laying in the bottom of the housing.
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dodgeguy480
Dodge Dakota
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5/11/2007
19:47:51
| RE: 2000 QC transmission
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just a couple of questions about your tranny. One is, did you change the canister filter and the regular one? Im not too sure, but i think all of them do have two. The canister is supposed to be changed every 90.000 mi. i do mine about every 50.000 mi. you should also use the mopar type IIII fluid. yes it is a little more expensive, but well worth it. My father had a newer duramax and the tranny was slipping a little. used the mopar IIII fluid and has not had a problem since. just food for thought.
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Kowalski
GenIII
5/12/2007
07:01:00
| RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
I didn't think all mopar transmissions have two filters, but the 45RFE and its close relative, the 545RFE, definitely have the two filter combination you describe.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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dodgeguy480
Dodge Dakota
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5/12/2007
15:54:44
| RE: 2000 QC transmission
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Message:
no, i mis represented what i was trying to write. not all dodge trannys have 2. my bad
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