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Michigan Mike
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2002
13:32:45
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 Subject: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Here's an odd one...
I've got a used 2000 QC 4WD 4.7L, pretty sure it's got the 45RFE auto trans in it. I've got around 50,000 miles on it.
When I move the shift lever between gears, I hear a "bzzzzzzzz" sound, very similar to a penny being dragged across a metal washboard, come from under the truck for about a half a second or so. I'm assuming this is some sort of noise from the solenoid moving the transmission between gears....but is this normal?!?! It's annoying as heck! When I'm pulling out of a parking space, I see people kind of turn their heads funny as they walk by, when they hear the sound of me shifting the transmission.
I bought the truck in the winter months, so of course I wasn't doing any driving with the windows rolled down - and thus couldn't have heard this noise back then....so I'm not really sure when it started making this buzzy noise. It may have done it since the truck rolled off the assembly line!
My Pop's old '94 Caravan makes similar noises.
Is this just another odd bit of "character" to these Dodges?!?!
Just trying to figure out if this is something to be taking the truck back to the dealer to look at. (I purchased an extended warranty, it's good for another 15,000 miles.)
thanks!!!!
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Riley
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2002
13:55:01
|  RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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I don't remember what part of the tranny makes the noise, but it's normal.
2001 CC 4.7L
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shiftright
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2002
14:23:59
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Yup, its normal due the solenoids controlling the opening and closing of various valves etc.
A bit disconcerting, but a normal operation on this feature packed, expensive to service, and picky about fluid type transmission.
Bring back the 727 torqueflight!
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Michigan Mike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/24/2002
14:44:48
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
Thanks for the replies.
Another question though - I haven't had the tranny serviced since I got it. (I put 10,000 miles on it so far.) The truck's got 50,000 miles on it - and I don't have the service records for the previous owner, so....
Any advice on which fluid to put in the tranny after the old stuff is drained?
shiftright, you mentioned that the 45RFE is picky about fluid type - what is the correct type for the 2000 model year transmissions? I thought I'd read that in 2001 they revised the factory-recommended fluid type - what is the real deal?!?!? I don't want to wreck the thing by putting in the wrong red juice!
thanks again!!!
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Big Blue QC
GenIII
7/24/2002
15:04:16
|  RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
Definetly check with a reputable dealer for fluid type, I think 2000 was when DC swithced to ATF+4. Someone else I am sure will respond who has an owners manual from a 2000, unless you have the one for that truck. You will gets various opinions on synthetic fluids but I am using AMSOIL ATF with NO problems. Just had the AMSOIL ATF tested after 23,000 miles and it is fine to keep in and continue using, in other words it is not wearing out like a non-synthetic will. Check out my post "AMSOIL ATF ANALYSIS" I put out a few days ago. Good luck!
2002 QC 4x4 Sport Plus, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars, Pace Edwards Power Tailgate lock
3.55 rear, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, all possible fluids are AMSOIL
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Big Blue QC
GenIII
7/24/2002
15:05:55
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
Oh, one other thing, make sure whatever fluid type you choose (synthetic or non-synthetic) you have a flush performed, not just drop the pan and change the filter.
2002 QC 4x4 Sport Plus, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars, Pace Edwards Power Tailgate lock
3.55 rear, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, all possible fluids are AMSOIL
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Michigan Mike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/24/2002
15:11:24
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
thanks big blue!
anyone out there with the 2000 shop manual?....and the scoop on which tranny fluid to feed to my dak?
thanks!
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jj
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2002
15:43:55
|  RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
My 2001 QC V8 4.7 Auto,does the exact same thing, 5200 miles so far. jj
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johnc
GenIII
7/24/2002
16:41:39
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
MMike,
Had my 45RFE flushed and filled last month and dealer upgraded to Mopar ATF+4 per my request although I think a TSB is out on that anyway.
Would have gone Amsoil then but had not yet completed my research on it.
Doing the Amsoil 2000 gear lube front/rear diffs soon-just got it yesterday-good stuff.
HTH,
jc
'00',cc,4.7,4X4,auto,3.92sg,Flowmaster,Quickd Intake,F&B 70mm tb,tstat,BFG's,and a Bernd box, HO manifold OTW
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YJ
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/25/2002
13:33:29
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
45RFE requires ATF +4. Most tranny shops don't know about this and will dump standard tranny fluid into it and add the lube-guard additive. The lube-guard additive is supposed to add modifiers to bring the tranny fluid to chrysler atf+4 specs. Not sure if it works for this goofy transmission. Mine was serviced and flashed recently. It's running much better and pulling stronger. Not shifting as much either. The two filters this tranny requires are a pain. Well, at least the interior filter. Something about a small rubber gasket that needs to be held up while the filter is installed. Probably not as bad as it sounds though. If you do it yourself be sure to use high-temp sensor-safe silicone when putting the pan back on.
Good luck,
YJ
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/25/2002
18:18:13
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
Most 1999 45RFE trany's shipped with ATF+3. Their is a TSB that tells dealer to switch over to ATF+4 if they experince any consumption problems, leaks or at the first trany serviceing. I am useing Redline C+ATF and have not had any problems. I will test it at my next 30,000 serviceing and report back to the group. So far I have had it in for 7,000 miles with no problems at all.
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Dan Gruber
GenIII
7/26/2002
04:50:12
| RE: 45RFE auto tranny - buzzy noise!
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Message:
The owners manual for my 2000 calls for ATF+3, and this has been verified by a couple of Dodge techs that I trust by checking my production date and VIN #. Both techs told me that part way through the 2000 model year Dodge switched to ATF+4 for the 45RFE.
I've been using ATF+3 for 42,000 miles with no problems. Hadn't heard about the recommended switch to ATF+4 that Sandman mentions, but it sounds reasonable.
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.92 LSD
3 inch Performance Accesories lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's
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