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Comments
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Dusty
Dusty
NOTE: When I got it to go into drive, it went clunkity clunk cluck clunk and GRAB and stayed there. When putting into reverse you can feel the truck hit that gear but not gripsion to it. There is a slight whine to it like someone spinning.
Transmission fluid looks normal and fresh. Fluid level is full.
In my search for the problem I came across a Dodge TSB that says the transmission return filter is the possible problem that would cause this condition.
Based on these codes I had a transmission shop owner tell me that in order to fix this I will have to replace the Solenoid Pack, Governor pressure switch and while it is open replace the filters.
Any help would be appreciated. As far as parts go do you have to use Dodge parts to make the repairs?
JD
1. Use Chrysler ATF+4 fluid. There are some synthetic versions out there and they are better than the Chrysler fluid you get at the dealer.
2. Get a trans cooler even if you do not tow.
3. Transgo makes a Shift Correction Kit for this trans. It remedies several lubrication issues, and firms up the shift depending on how you set it up. A big lubrication issue it remedies is that it sends much more fluid to the overdrive unit.
The key is to try and get the parts for about $100. They were listed at $270. The parts are small and dont seem like they should be that expensive. look up the parts online. I got mine looked at for $30 and they were pretty good but did get a few items wrong. My service repair estimate was $570. Like i said. if you can remove that trans pan, you can change your oil and filter, and replace the sensors easily.
Also, what is the valve body? Are there any small parts on the valve body I have to worry about losing when pulling it down?
Thank you for your answers.
You have a 545RFE transmission. Yes, they have two internal filters. One is a conventional pick up filter (input side of the pump).
The other, smaller filter that looks like a miniature spin-on oil filter is the Return Line filter and is on the output side of the pump. Its job is to keep contaminants from returning to the transmission pan. This filter cannot be a cause of torque converter draining.
On its previous transmissions, Chrysler installed a check valve in the cooling lines to prevent cool-down torque converter draining, a problem identified in the late 1980s. On the 545RFE they moved the check valve to inside the transmission and eliminated it from the cooling lines.
Dusty
(i am not transmission/vehicle savy...if the check engine light is on and my gas guage isnt on E...i dont know how to fix the problem.)
I drive the vehicle for 30 minutes and the the Overdrive turns "off" and starts shifting HARD...sometimes the "trans temp" warning light comes on but shortly goes away. The overdrive light stays on until i turn the truck off or do some in town driving around (25-30mph)but still shifts hard i cant hit the O/D button to turn it back on so the O/D light will go away.
I have had the transmission replaced (90 day warranty is already up :-( ) and spent too much money trying to fix a problem that still isn't fixed...
i also notice whenever i am in cruise control mode (aprox 60 - 75) the rpm fluctuate 1000RPM like a small heartbeat.
I am unable to use this vehicle to drive home on leave because of this problem.
Can anyone assist me with some advise. It would be greatly appreciated
Are you the original owner?
What engine is in this truck?
Was the transmission replaced for the problem you're having now?
Regards,
Dusty
the engine is i wanna say 5.2L v8
the transmission was replaced because it wouldnt shift out of 1st gear at all.
Does anyone know the real solution?
Potential defects:
*The transmission could be overheating due to poor or restricted fluid flow. Clogged filter. Sticking or stuck anti-drainback valve in the return line. A good shop will flush or replace the cooling lines and the transmission cooler that's internal to the radiator after a rebuild. Many shops will replace the anti-drainback valve on Chryslers as preventative maintenance.
*Transmission Throttle Valve out of adjustment or sticking. Return spring missing.
*Intermitent O/D Switch, intermitent O/D Switch circuit problem, or an open O/D fuse.
*The transmission temperature sensor or its related circuit could be malfunctioning.
*The engine coolant sensor is defective or the engine is overheating.
*The Distance Sensor is defective.
*Low hydraulic pressure (fluid flow issue or weak pump).
* Overdrive Solenoid malfunction.
*Worn or inoperative Overdrive Clutch.
*Valve Body malfunction. Clogged Solenoid Feed Orifice, stuck or sticking solenoid, Overdrive Piston malfunction.
That's a list of the usual and most likely things.
Good luck,
Dusty
but first. tranny's usually slip when the tranny is hot not cold. so it should be slipping all the time once warmed up if the tranny is totally bad.
look to get more info as quick as possible. the oil change is easy, the 3 valve/solenoids are expensive, like $150 to buy them. so i don't recommend just trying it.
I fixed mine, but I still paid for a tranny shop to run the codes and diagnose it. money well spent. even though they were not fully correct in their diagnosis. The shop also wanted over $500 to fix the valves and change the oil. what a rip.
What else can I do here? I'm about to just send this truck to the junker
Before this happened, it had slipped a few times on me in 1st gear only, but not excessively. Maybe once every few months when taking off from a light. It does have 183,000 miles on it; so I just figured the clutches in the tranny are starting to wear out. But then it just died. I'm trying to figure out if maybe it is just the torque converter that needs to be replaced to get it moving again, or if the pump or some other portion of the tranny has gone out and it needs to be rebuilt.
My question is: is there supposed to be a rubber plug in that hole? The hole is not threaded and is just a little smaller than my pinkie finger. I cannot find any photos on the net showing that area.
Further more, tell me if I'm right about why it was spraying out..... I think the housing filled with water and mixed into the fluid inside the torque converter and was over full.
I do plan on flushing the entire tranny and changing the filter.
Thanks in advance for your help.