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Dodge Dakota Problems. Please help!
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Comments
Good luck,
Dusty
I was going to take it to the dealer this week but I thought I would ask you guys first.
I am hoping it is not the trany since it is out of warranty.
Thanks in advance.
Sounds like a classic symptom of wrong fluid. YOu automatic needs ATF 7176 (is there a newer fluid?) mopar fluid, not DEXRON.
Again, I am only making an assumption here. Best bet would be to get a fluid and filter change and verify you are getting the correct fluid in there.
GOod luck.
ONe other thing, it could be something as simple as a mis calibrated TCM and it may not be anything mechanical in the tranny.
Dusty
Following is a quote from the web site. Read it carefully.
"If somebody puts DEXRON in, take it to a shop which uses 7176, and have them drain the ENTIRE transmission, and refill with 7176. This will cost about $160.00.
WHY? The friction characteristics of DEXRON are different from 7176. It is a "grabbier" fluid. The Chrysler transmission has an electronic system which continuously senses the behavior of the transmission and regulates shifts accordingly. If DEXRON is used, the clutches inside the transmission will "grab", and the electronic controls, which sample the operation of the transmission about 140-180 times a second, will let up on the clutches. The clutches will then slip excessively, the transmission will try to tighten up on them, and due to the characteristics of DEXRON, they will again grab. This will occur at the 140-180 times per second rate, and the transmission will have a shuddering feel to the shifting. This is also very hard on the clutches, and they will have a short life. The cost to overhaul one of these transmissions is about $1200-$1400 on a front-drive car, so you DO NOT want to shorten its life.
There is NO UNIVERSAL TRANSMISSION FLUID. DO NOT USE DEXRON!"
Goes to show you that "good enough" or "ain't hurtin' nuthin'" just ain't good enough.
A good friend of mine drove nearly 5000 miles on his RAM before he started to get any symptoms from MERCON. Wasted the transmission, of course.
Dusty
You mentioned it could be a miscalibrated TCM. What is a TCM?
Thanks for helping me with this.
A year ago, had to change out the PCM that crapped out on me in heavy Atlanta afternoon traffic. Good news is I'd hoped that would solve my lurching problem . . . finally. It didn't. Problem remained with the new PCM, and remains today.
Since I've changed out no other components, fuel, electric, electronic, or other (Dakota's been fantastic otherwise), I've got no leads to suspect. Lurching continues with every single "first start of the day" (wish the stock market was so predictable and consistent!).
Real annoying, could even be damaging to the drive train (e.g., U-joints), potentially dangerous, and apparently, not so common.
Still searching for the solution - don't give up on me.
Bill
TCM......this is the transmission control module.This is the device which controls the shift points and processes for the transmission. It's up front by your radiator.
You stated you have the 4.7 v8 engine thus this setup has the 45RFE trans. And Dexron is NOT the fluid that should be used in this unit. Why your dealer used the wrong fluid is beyond me but my take is they need to make good on this. Save all work orders, and document every sentence, word, punctuation etc. Record your phone conversations if necessary. You have a case for a replacement tranny.
Yes, I agree again with Mopar67, start digging out your receipts for that ATF change.
This is the stereotypical failure mode for Dodge truck transmissions. Within x amount of miles the transmission starts to shudder or slip. Wrong ATF.
I can't believe your dealer admitted to this.
Good luck,
Dusty
Next question.....did you get greasable replacement units? I recall the factory units are "sealed" (thats a joke in of itself)
HOpe all goes well at the dealer....if indeed they got the wrong fluid in there, high time to get it out. Ask them to go a complete flush too......on their nickel, not yours!
The NON-greasable U-joints are SOLID STEEL thus significantly stronger than the greasable ones.
I have seen people break those greasable, hollow U-Joints. Often they are running 500+ HP and lifting the front wheels off of the ground when they break ;-)
I just wanted all the facts to be known so folks can make an informed purchase.
They seem to have good selections plus you can read reviews posted by owners of the tires.
Thanks
John
Dusty
I agree with mopar67 that I'd get that Mercon out of the transmission ASAP. There are some transmission techs who swear that Mercon won't hurt Chrysler transmissions. I don't know. One shop here in town surprised me by saying that they use the Chrysler ATF+ in Ford and GM transmissions to cure torque converter shudder. Maybe they are similar, but I suspect that the ATF+ (7176) has a friction modifier or something in it.
Good luck,
Dusty
Upper and Lower control arms on left and right.
(the ball joints are pressed into the arms, so it's all one unit now.)
Outer tie rod ends both sides.
Tie rod, left side.
In addition, they did an R&R on the springs and seats attempting to silence the squeaks/rattles.
There's still an occasional rattle, but they said it's probably coming from my calipers as my pads are worn a little over halfway. (mopar67- I still have the original rotors and pads !)
The parts were priced at over $1100.00, and they gave me a rental for 9 days for free. The wait was for parts delivery.
They also mentioned that after assembling everything and bringing it to the alignment service, they had to bring it back to loosen everything and shift it over so an alignment could be done.
Cruise control used for 202 of the 244.3 miles driven, set at 65mph = 21.87mpg.
Mixed driving, mostly around town, some open rural road, including 2.3 mile trip to work each day = 17.61 mpg average over eight tanks. Extremely smooth engine and transmission.
Lowest 16.69 mpg
Highest 21.87 mpg
2003 Club Cab Sport Plus, 4.7L, 545RFE, 3.55 LSD, #6010 GVW package with 2200 miles. No cap or cover.
Dusty
My 3rd visit to the dealership service dept, has been successful. They have just received (on Wednesday) the NHTSA TSB #1900900 document & related details to correct the squeaky steering noise problem. My vehicle is scheduled for this fix next Friday. Wish me luck... The documented correction involves taking the steering column apart and reversing a part that was incorrectly installed at the factory. I'm hoping they also check the front-end alignment after the fix. The dealership and its staff are top-notch and I hope this will be the end of this squeaky steering issue.
I hope this helps other Dakota owners having the same problem.
Bill
Are there any year/models (within the last 5 years) that I should avoid?
Thanks for any help/advice!
The V6 was very nice compared to the other trucks I was looking for at that time and the power wasnt lacking either. I towed all the time in very hilly terrain and the truck never disappointed me.
The 4.7 V8 gets better gas milage under most all conditions and is a very powerful package. Tows great. (3000 miles cross country towing 5500lbs through lots of mountains and I never felt I was lacking anything.)
I am not sure how old your son is but if he is a teenager, get the 6. If he is a senior or older and he will be living with the gas bill and using this truck as an adult (towing, moving...) then spend a little more and get the 4.7.
If you are considering the 5.2 or 5.9 V8 then that is even worse than the 6 on gas but both very good and powerful engines.
I would get the 4.7 V8 without thinking twice if the Dakota is what you want. Spend a few hundred more and get the 4.7, if its not in your budget, wait until it is. It will be well worth it.
Good luck.
Robert
I've heard a number of people say they are getting the same or only slightly better gas mileage than I am with my 4.7. So far I'm getting anywhere from 16.5 around town to a high of 21.87 on Interstate driving (using the cruise control).
I think the V6 will do better than that, but I also think that when driven in a more lively manner, the V6 may do no better than the 4.7. Under an easier driver you probably will see +2 mpg better from a V6.
Like Henne, I think the 3.9 would be adequate for most people, but for towing I think the 4.7 will be better appreciated by most. The 4.7 is pretty close to the older 318 performance wise for towing. The 4.7 seems to have just a tad less low-end torque, but seems to have a noticeably much wider torque band and pulls steadily through the RPM range.
This may sound strange, bhe one disadvantage about the 4.7 in my opinion is the exhaust sound. No, it's not loud or anything. But from the cab it sounds like a vehicle with sweetly tuned dual exhaust. I say this is a disadvantage because I've riden with a couple of Dakota 4.7 owners and you can quickly tell they like that sound as they are always pulling RPMs through the shifts just to hear it. This is not good driving technique for maximizing gas mileage!
I've had five people test drive my new Dakota and to a person the exhaust sound was the very first thing they commented on. My daughter (yes, my daughter!) kept spinning the tires on her test drive, which sort of annoyed me. It is easy to tweak the tires, despite mine having limited slip and 16 inch wheels, and I've done it unintentionally a few times myself.
Good luck on your decision.
Regards,
Dusty
But if your towing requirements are intermittent, the 4.7 would be more than enough in my opinion.
Dusty
never here from me again. I have an o1 Dakota Q/C, 4.7 with all the bells and whistles. I
love the appearance, size and power. This truck and many other dodge products are put
together with very low quality equipment, bad service etc. They are for the most part
JUNK. This truck and other dodge products has the appearance, power etc. but does not
have the quality and service that it deserves. It has features to be the number one truck of
all time, why would DC push such low quality and service. I know some have no problems
but there are too many others who are and the % of bad is more than the % of good. The
one's with no problems, you are lucky but you might not be so lucky on your next trade in.
I love Dodge but can't throw my money away on a chance with them again. I've never
broke down but have had many many other problems. Too much to list. A very long story
that has been said many times on this site by many difference people. I will not post again
so don't ask me anything. Said what I needed to say. Go ahead and dog me. Best of luck
to all of you, God bless and Happy Holidays.
John
Hope this helps!!! Bill goes to Bookitty, right??? Rick
In the meantime, do any other owners have this squeaky steering problem? Comments please...
Thank you in advance.
Bookitty
I appreciate everyone’s input as I hoped for an easy fix to an annoying problem while waiting for the parts.
These things happen and it has not deterred my opinion of the vehicle.
Since I couldn’t send bill via mail (postage was too expense) I put him on the train to PA.
thanks,
Dusty
John
This is the 3rd attempt to resolve this squeaky noise problem in 9 months. On the first visit, they lubed all the bushings and the squeaks returned in a couple of months. On the 2nd visit, they said the noises are normal and no Bulletins out for this problem. On the 3rd visit, they found the TSB and applied it and this is where we are today.
These "intermittent" squeaks are NOT the normal power steering sounds that can usually be heard. They are not popping sounds either. I'm really frustrated now with these annoying intermittent squeaks. Squeaks are also heard (emitting from the rear?) when backing up in reverse during a slight turn out of the driveway. Could the bolts securing the pickup box be loose and causing these noises?
Does anyone have any new suggestions? Help...
Bill