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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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12/03/2005
01:30:38
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 Subject: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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I just got recently this 97 Dakota 3.9L 2WD with 75500 miles and found out today that it has trouble shifting. The transmission is a 4spd automatic with overdrive.
This morning, I was driving it and a few minutes later I see the check engine light come on and I'm going about 50mph and rpm at 4k. Wouldn't go into 3rd.
Tonight, before taking it out again, I reset the check engine light and went for a test drive to see if it happens again. I drove for maybe 7 minutes, it was shifting into 3rd, then when I missed a turn, I was reversing and then I noticed the check engine light on again. And now my 3rd gear is gone again! Would shift to 2nd, but not to 3rd no matter what I tried. So I drive like this for 10 minutes, then I notice that now it won't even go into 2nd sometimes. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Still no 3rd. So I stop, reset the check engine light in hopes that I will get my 3rd gear back, but that didn't help! Still sometimes no 2nd and no 3rd at all. However, check engine didn't come on all the way back! Weird. I found that if it doesn't want to shift to 2nd, then I simply shift to neutral, wait a few seconds and shift back into "drive", and then it shifts to 2nd.
Everything else seems to be fine with the truck. Transmission oil is clear red, but overfilled. Transmission shifts smoothly and there are no weird noises. Engine runs fine too, but there is a metal knocking pulsing noise coming from driver side, which makes the idle go up by about 50-100rpm when it pulses. The transmission oil pan seems to have a leak on one side, but I'm still not sure about it whether it leaks or USED TO leak. Will have to see tomorrow if I see any leaks under the truck. Also, when I turn off the engine, I hear a leaking noise coming from passenger side. It stops in 10-15 secs. I don't see anything leaking under the truck.
So this is all I can tell you about the truck. I'm not sure of it, but maybe once the engine warms up it stops shifting into 3rd, and when it warms up a bit more, it stops shifting into 2nd as well? Any ideas, suggestions or pointers?? I really need to fix this, I'm taking it for a 3000+ mile ride soon!
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zzark
Gen II
12/03/2005
09:00:24
|  RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Dakotas are finnicky about the trans fluid.
It might be clean and clear red, but if it is the wrong type, you will have problems.
You MUST use ATF+4, or Amsoil Universal ATF.
You might want to adjust the bands too.
On my GenII, one of the adjustments is inside, so you must drain and remove the trans oil pan. If yours is different someone will chime-in.
Since you are having problems, I suggest using Seafoam Transtune. It is a cleaner/flusher. Advance and Autozone have it.
And follow the Amsoil procedure to remove ALL of the fluid. Just draining leaves half or more in the trans. Go to Amsoil.com and under the FAQ is a .pdf procedure to flush the system. It is messy, but worth the time and effort.
You can also order the Amsoil ATF.
ATF+4 I believe you still must get from the dealer.
zzark
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Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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12/03/2005
15:35:54
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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I had my 99 trans fluid changed and asked if the bands could be adjusted but was told that he can't adjust them, I think he said they were self adjusting?
Also are these dakotas not a 3 speed with overdrive?
My truck won't shift into overdrive until it is warm enough. I talked to a fellow who worked for Dodge and he said you MUST cover the front of these trucks in the winter (in Winnipeg).
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2005
02:14:42
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Where can I get info (on the internet) to adjust these bands?
I just cameback from another test drive and it was doing the same thing. Once it warmed up a bit, it wouldn't go into 3rd. No check engine light this time, but now it also slips. I drive steady 40mph in 2nd ('cause it won't go into 3rd) and then all of a sudden rpms go up as if I'm in neutral. I have to shift to neutral for a few secs and then back to D, which makes the slipping go away. So many problems...
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runner
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2005
07:45:54
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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check the tv cable, that'll make it not shift right if it's out of adjustment. also did you get any kind of guarantee when you bought the truck? sounds like whoever sold you this knew the tranny was acting up and didn't tell you about it. might be able to get them to pay for repairs under the lemon law.
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zzark
Gen II
12/05/2005
08:06:54
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Band Adjust Procedure:
Go to Autozone.com
Click on repair info, vehicle repair guides
They have alot of good info.
zzark
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97Dakota3.9
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2005
10:07:14
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Have you tried placing the shifter all the way down into 1st, and then as you drive, manually move it up to second and then finally drive?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2005
16:55:39
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Odessa, you could also try this place for instructions. there is a lot of good info there:
http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?profile=autorefctr
username: lcls23
password: library
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2006
19:34:25
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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It's being a long time, but I finely figured out the problem. I just got back a response from the mechanic I gave the truck to, and he said it's the governor pressure sensor and governor pressure solenoid. Lucky me tranny is good!! :) Now just have to replace that and see if he's really right.
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J and J Auto
GenII
3/15/2006
22:24:20
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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The presure sensor and sol are well known probs
on the RE trans sometimes even the new ones will
be bad but luckaly chrysler knows this and will
exchange them if you run into it I just did on
a 97 dak a few months ago
bands on the 97 should be
front drivers side
72 inch pounds back off 2 1/2 turn
Back in trans pan removed
72 inch pounds back off 4 turns
The presure valve body to spring seat 1 1/4"
need a smale scale to mesure like a manchinests
scale
Larry
J&J Auto
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bullet
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2006
23:51:42
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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See what code comes up from the check engine light. My truck did the same thing and threw a code and it was the solenoid in the tranny.
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2006
04:34:03
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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I installed the new solenoid and sensor and now I finally have a 3rd gear (and eventually O/D)!! But! I still have problems shifting into 3rd. You have to be very gentle on the gas pedal and accelerate slowly or else it won't go into 3rd. If it doesn't go in, then I have to put it in neutral for 2-3 secs and back to drive. Also, when you accelerate fast (with tranny downshifting), it will not upshift once it reaches red line! It just keeps going...and if you let go the gas pedal, it will downshift again!! I don't think it's normal, though it's my first vehicle with auto tranny, so I'm still learning, lol.
Gonna go see the mechanic again tomorrow...
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2006
16:30:42
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Checked with the mechanic again, he scanned the computer and didn't find a problem with new sensor or solenoid. But he said it shifts even worse now than when he tested it last time...go figure. Anyways, I took the truck to a tranny shop where I bought the parts and left it there for another scan. The guy there said if governor pressure solenoid/sensor was causing this problem, then it wouldn't even shift out of 1st gear. After some more test driving I couldn't shift into 3rd gear again...so I really don't know what the heck is going on. He'll get back to me tomorrow with scan results. He guesses it's a shift solenoid.
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Scott C.
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2006
22:47:58
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Jasper engines has a tranny computer that is great... it hooks up directly to the tranny and with the push of buttons you can control the tranny by yourself.. you can make it upshift or downshift to see if its ethier tranny error or electrical error...
Scott C.
Royal Auto
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2006
02:53:49
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Tools are only good when available! :P
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david
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2006
08:02:37
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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I had the same problem with my 99 and the shop replaced the solenoid and sensor and luckily it has been working fine since then. Is that noise you have a grinding sound because mine does the same thing until warmed up.
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2006
18:41:04
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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David, which sensor and solenoid they replaced?
I'm still not sure about this noise, but it doesn't seem to come from the transmission. It clearly comes from the passenger side from under the hood...almost like near the dash/windshield. And it comes and goes randomly, cold or warm.
Anyway, a word from the tranny shop today... They scanned it and said 75 to 100% sure it's a bad transmission computer. The transmission wasn't even told to shift by the computer so they figured it must be the computer. However, if it's not the computer, then there is a problem in wiring. Good luck finding that wire... But to me it doesn't seem to be a wire because it wouldn't work at all then. So now have to find a used computer and see if it helps. Hopefully that's all I need.
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fernando
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2006
14:52:54
|  RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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i had the same problems what i did is go to the junk yard and bought the trany and change the oil and i put it in in a week end but make sure u test it good for a while o and make sure they give u a warrante at least a month and iem from odessa
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2006
15:41:08
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Maybe it's the tranny, but it doesn't receive any command to shift. So there is something wrong before it even gets to the tranny.
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Odessa
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
16:59:55
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Back to the starting point. After a couple days I have the exact same problem. No 3rd, check engine light is on (occasionally) and slippage (occasionally). I checked with the first mechanic again and the governor pressure always stays at 6psi.
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dakota736
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2006
13:12:17
| RE: Won't shift to 3rd, sometimes to 2nd
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Ok guys i had this exact problem. Dodge didnt put the right seals in the V6 transmissions from the factory. If you go to any trans shop that knows what they are doing they will replace them and you are going to have to replace the clutchs too because of so much slippage.
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