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Dodge Dakota Transmission Problems

1024 messages,  Last post on May 07, 2013 at 9:14 AM

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Messages Page 97 of 104

#953 of 1024 Re: 2004 dakota / automatic [eddierads] by carverman

Nov 30, 2011 (9:15 pm)

Replying to: eddierads (Nov 30, 2011 12:19 pm)
" Its shifts into higher gears too soon . When under 45 , I have to keep the overdrive off . Sometimes when it does there is a little chatter , but seems because the shift was way to early and the engine rpm's are too low "
 
By "shift's into higher gears too soon"..I would presume that the PCM
electronic shifts are taking place, rather than higher pressure induced
"hard shifts" done at higher rpms.
 
There is a TPS throttle position sensor located on the LEFT (driver's)side of the throttle body.
It connects to the throttle shaft (butterfly valves) and feeds back
information to the PCM on what the throttle is doing at the time.
 
The second sensor associated with shifting gears, is the Governor pressor
sensor located on the transmission itself. This sensor tells the PCM (computer)
what the fluid pressure is in the valve body (the part of the transmission that
has the fluid activated shift valves to operate the clutches and bands for
the dual planetary gear set and the separate overdrive unit.
 
The third sensor is the TSS, which tells the PCM the rpm of the o/p shaft of
the transmission itself.
 
The shift program is learned by the PCM from your driving habits and feedback
from these sensors..which need to be checked out first before considering
an expensive transmission rebuild.
 
The "chatter" you are referring to..could be the engine "shuddering" because
of the higher gear loading on the engine is too much for the rpm and torque
of the engine at the time....or an actual internal clutch inside the Dodge
transmission chattering because it is slipping on it's friction plates..or
low fluid pressure being delivered by the transmission fluid pump.
 
There are test ports for determining transmission fluid pressure that a transmission shop can do (with the vehicle running on a hoist) to see
if it's fluid pressure, or worn clutches...or even a bad sensor.
 
Generally speaking, the transmission should shift from 1st gear to second
gear electronically around 2200 rpm..if everything, including the sensors
mentioned are working correctly.
Shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear is about the same or slightly lower rpm
(1800 to 2000 rpm)
 
Shifting from 3rd gear to the O/D (4th gear) is around 1800 and then once
in O/D,the engine rpm drops down to about 1500..if you are under 50mph.
The rpm will increase with speed.

#954 of 1024 Re: 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab [carverman] by squeek03

Dec 05, 2011 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: carverman (Nov 01, 2011 5:14 am)
Carverman,
I suppose I am not good at explaining. But here today it did it once again. I will try and explain todays actions. It is cludy and 40 degrees today. I left for lunch and got onto the highway and it accelerated to 45 MPH at 3700 rpm. When I released the gas pedal it downshifted and felt like "rear end" locked up. Once again as previously noted it might not have locked the rearend up but thats how it feels. Almost like a chevy drive shaftclanks when u-joints going out. That abript kind of feel. So I gave it the gas again so to not get run over from behind and the RPMs climbed up once again and would only go about 50 mph. It bucked and bronced on me and then the engine light came on. I took it by the Ford house, where I bought it used and the mechanic ran a generic test on it and it showed that the MAF/MAP sensor was faulty. He suggested I go by the Dodge house to have them run a diagnostic test on it. They quoted me(Dodge) 130.00 to test the problem. I did NOT get it done as for it is too close to the holidays and well 130.00 is alot. I stopped by the local Auto Parts store and they pulled a TPS sensor code. I went ahead and bought one since its only 20.00. Have yet to install it.When I got BACK in the truck and headed back to work I noticed the engine light was OFF and then the cruise button stopped working. This also happened last year around the wreck. SO in short I think it may have something to do with the transmission ie the case aluminum may be so cold that something is sticking in it until it reaches a warmer temp?? That is just a educated guess on my end. I DO like the info you gave me and I am sorry I did not explain well enough the last go round. See what this info throws your way.

#955 of 1024 Re: 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab [squeek03] by carverman

Dec 06, 2011 (6:11 am)

Replying to: squeek03 (Dec 05, 2011 12:49 pm)
"accelerated to 45 MPH at 3700 rpm. When I released the gas pedal it downshifted and felt like "rear end" locked up."
 
3700 rpm is definitely too high for 45mph. It appears that the PCM is no
longer involved with shifting the gear ranges, and it's the hydraulic fluid pump
pressure building up, operating the shift valves in the transmission's
control valve body.
The rear end feeling like it is locking up is another indication of ABRUPT SHIFTING taking place..in this case, it could be down to 1st gear ... that is very hard on the transmission components!
 
The Ford house diagnostic is a red herring. The MAF/MAP sensor is used to
adjust the fuel/air ratio by the PCM and nothing to do with your transmission
erratic/abrupt shifting problem.
 
The Auto Parts pulling a TPS sensor code, MAY have something to do with it,
but I had a similar case not too long ago..hard shifts and it turned out
to be the TSS Transmission output shaft speed sensor ). It had a low o/p and
the PCM could not read it, so it decided not to bother shifting for me and
all the shifts were HARD shifts at high rpms where the Tach just climbed way
up there... before it finally shifted.
I bought a new TPS sensor, also thinking it was the cause of the problem. Unfortunately the on-line auto parts place sent me a BAD replacement sensor..so I had to put the original back on and tested it.
 
BTW you can test the TPS sensor still on the vehicle with a Digital voltmeter back probe the 3 wires on the sensor, ignition on but not started, and move the throttle by hand. A good TPS sensor will read 0.5v to +4.5v.... as these are 5 volt sensors.
 
In my case there was NOTHING WRONG with my OEM TPS sensor and it
is still on my truck shifting properly...my problem turned out to be the TSS
(located on the transmission itself) and eventually the sensor " finally died"
and I pulled a P-0720 code (Low output speed sensor at RPM above 15mph)
"Output shaft speed DETECTED is LESS THAN 60MPH with VEHICLE SPEED
MORE THAN 15MPH."
 
On the electronically shifted Dodge transmissions, the PCM does the
shifting at the correct "learned" rpm detected by your driving habits.
it uses the input from ALL these following sensors, to calculate and determine
the proper gear shift points:
 
1. gas pedal-throttle valve position (TPS)
 
2. TSS ( Transmission o/p shaft speed sensor) tells the PCM what gear the transmission is SUPPOSED TO BE IN ALREADY when in Drive)
 
3. VSS (vehicle speed sensor..located in the rear differential housing) the pulses
from this one are used to a)calculate your speed on the speedometer,
and b)tell the ABS controller (controller anti-lock rear wheel brakes or all wheel
antilock brakes) what is happening with the rpm on the rear differential gears
 
4. Transmission fluid pressure governor sensor (this sensor feeds back information to the PCM of what the instantaneous internal control shift valve
body's fluid pressure is..to determine the correct shift points as well.
 
5. Transmission temperature sensor (tells the PCM when the transmission is
warm enough to go into 4th gear (Overdrive) or when the transmission is
overheating..sets the Trans Temp indicator on the dash.
 
So as you can see there are several electronic sensors involved with shifting
the gears electronically/automatically for you on the Dodge 44RE transmission.
 
BTW (44 RE) 4= (4 WHEEL), 4= (transmission torque handling capability)
 R=(rear wheel drive) E = (electronically shifted..by the PCM)
 
Not having a handheld OBDII code reader, you are at the mercy of the
"stealerships" to plug in and read off the code(s) for you... at $130 a pop!
 
If you want to keep the diagnostic costs down, you need the basic owner's
tools in your tool kit:
1. A Haynes or Chilton manual for your truck year ($30)
2. A cheap DVM (digital voltmeter) around $15-$25
3. A handheld OBD (on board diagnostics) code reader that will scan the
PCM and give you the P-codes (problem codes) when you plug it into
the diagnostic connector located under the steering column.
These are very easy to use, come with a manual explaining the codes
and cost under $60 now.
 
So for the price of that $130 dealer scan..you can equip yourself with some
very capable tools of your own..and learn how to diagnose your truck's
problems as time goes on.
 
AND..
"happened around the time of the wreck"
Do you mean this truck was involved in a serious accident last year?
Please provide more details on that.

#956 of 1024 Re: 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab [carverman] by smithj92

Dec 06, 2011 (8:34 am)

Replying to: carverman (Dec 06, 2011 6:11 am)
I have a 96 Dakota 4x4 quad cab and its problems started out as the transmission would get hot and wouldn't shift passed 2 gear so I took it to the shop and they said that I needed a new one that rebuilding it would cost more so then the next day I started it up and went to put it in any gear my truck would stall right away what would cause this anyone know?? Please help !!

#957 of 1024 Re: 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab [smithj92] by carverman

Dec 06, 2011 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: smithj92 (Dec 06, 2011 8:34 am)
It's hard to say what would cause the stall. Does it seem to start up ok while in
park? When you move it into D..does it drop in rpm first and then stall..or
stall immediately as you move the gear shift? Have you tried moving it from
park to neutral..what does it do in neutral?
 
There are many reasons for it to stall..something in the transmission is telling
the PCM to operated the ASD (Automatic Shutdown Relay) or the extra
load on the engine (in the transmission may be causing it to stall
because the gear selection isn't right. )
 
Are there any check engine codes coming on when it happens?

#958 of 1024 Re: Transmission slips only when I make a left turn!?! [deweyjohn] by hjenssen

Dec 11, 2011 (10:39 am)

Replying to: deweyjohn (Nov 27, 2011 7:11 pm)
My 2003 V6 is doing the same thing. Only during a left turn. Fluid level is correct.
I'll be calling a few transmission people and see what they have to say.

#959 of 1024 Re: Transmission slips only when I make a left turn!?! [hjenssen] by carverman

Dec 12, 2011 (3:23 am)

Replying to: hjenssen (Dec 11, 2011 10:39 am)
What indications are there that the transmission is slipping on left turns only?
Using that convention, does that mean that the transmission DOES NOT SLIP
on right turns or when travelling straight?
 
It doesn't make a lot of sense, since the engine is driving the torque convertor
inside the transmission wheter you go straight or make turns.
On a turn the power steering pump works harder to operate the steering box
and the steering linkage to turn the wheels, but that shouldn't really have
any effect on transmission operation...unless the g-forces in a left turn act on the fluid levels inside the valve body in the transmission in one direction and not the other..

#960 of 1024 Re: Transmission slips only when I make a left turn!?! [carverman] by circuitryder

Dec 12, 2011 (6:07 am)

Replying to: carverman (Dec 12, 2011 3:23 am)
Sounds like the fluid pickup in the pan is uncovered in the turn.

#961 of 1024 2003 Dakota Transmission Sel Switch by sparky153

Dec 17, 2011 (11:10 am)

Has anyone ever had problem with this switch ? I can not get my 4 wheel drive to engage. Is the problem in the switch or somewhere else ?

#962 of 1024 Re: 2003 Dakota Transmission Sel Switch [sparky153] by mkfarnam

Dec 17, 2011 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: sparky153 (Dec 17, 2011 11:10 am)
Mine ("93") doesnt engage simple because of a missing link between the shift control panel and the transfer case.

Messages Page 97 of 104

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