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Dodge Dakota Transmission Problems

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  • magnumcaper88magnumcaper88 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 98 Dakota 5.2L V8 4sp auto with 150K on it. When I start it everything sounds fine, but when I put it in reverse or drive, I then hear a slight rattling noise. Once I start to drive it goes away, so far it has not affected the driving performance. Also, sometimes (but increasing in frequency) as soon as I hit the brakes from accelerating, I hear a loud click from underneath of me. I think it may be something with the clutch, but I am not really sure, any thoughts or experiences with similar symptoms?
  • tjames1984tjames1984 Member Posts: 6
    That rattling could be the start of losing one of your gears. Because you hear it when you put it it reverse or drive, I assume it would mean that it's the reverse gear going out (or one of the bearings or bands) and when you put it back into drive, it rattles "out of the way" and continues to "function". if you're mechanically inclined (and have a spare vehicle to drive around in) then I would suggest getting a Chilton's or Haynes book for it- and getting ready to replace a transmission. If you're not up to doing such a job on your own- I would strongly suggest taking it to your nearest transmission shop or Dodge Dealership (which will be pricier). While it is not effecting the driving performance YET- it soon will. And then you'll be on the side of the road somewhere calling a tow-truck. 150k on the truck- when is the last time the transmission fluid & filter were changed? For that matter, since it's over 100k- when's the last time the timing chain in the engine was replaced?
    As for the clicking noise- I'm not sure what to tell you on that- one of those things I'd have to be there for. It COULD be a lot of things- ranging from something in the brake system- to pieces of a bad gear clicking around inside the transmission. Again- best bet- get a book, and about a case of ATF+4 because there will come a time in the not-so-distant future...when you're going to need it. Good luck!
  • cdnelmocdnelmo Member Posts: 1
    Mark280 did manage to get the trans problem fixed? If so what was the problem?
  • smokeymccracksmokeymccrack Member Posts: 1
    are you sure it had water in it it could be the radiator leaking coolant into the transmission cooler lines look at the coolant in your radiator if it is getting transmission fluid in the coolant then i would replace the radiator flush the coolant and change the transmission fluid and filter.
  • slc215slc215 Member Posts: 1
    lhendrickson, what did you find out about your transmission issues??? I also have a 2000 Dakota pick-up 3.9L 2-WD and have had similar problems, it seemed as though it would not change from 1st gear to second. It would rev up pretty high and then engage pretty hard when it finally did shift gears. It seemed to do it more when the engine was first started in the morning or when the engine was not warm. The funny thing is, it went away and I have not heard/felt it for a while, I'm just thinking that it's probably going to come back and I want to know what it is.

    Thanks
  • vohlkvohlk Member Posts: 1
    2000 Dakota 4x4. Is the bearing at the front of the rear axle punkin a press on bearing or does it just slip on the shaft. Any tricks to this repair job.
  • lynx_genlynx_gen Member Posts: 1
    Good luck fillin up that torque convertor on a manual trans... O.o

    And most vehicles you check while still running, not shut off, in park or neutral, for obvious reasons.

    You cant realy check until the vehicle has been warmed up, you need to pretty much go out and give it a good drive for 20-30 mins...

    If you wana get right technical, most dodges you want the fluid at around 80 degrees to check it.

    if its about 1L below the "Full" mark, when cold and fillin it up, its prolly pretty close to the right spot, maybe a lil too much, maybe a lil too less..

    Most trannies, the "Add" and "Full" mark is about 1/2L.. it doesnt have to be RIGHT AT THE FULL, so long as its in that range.. too much is almost worse than not enough..

    Of course this is all Automatic tranny stuff, and has nothing to do with a manual tranny..
  • stumped15stumped15 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2013
    I cant get my 2001 dakota out of park without really wiggling hard. Once it is out of park it goes into and out of all gears smoothly including park until i turn the key off. On the next start it wont come out of park again. I have already changed the brake light switch that didnt work. someone please help
  • marsh1506marsh1506 Member Posts: 1
    I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 DAKOTA. I CAN'T GET THE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET TO stealthb2 PICTURES. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET TO MEMBERS TO RETRIVE THEM.
  • lularbell1lularbell1 Member Posts: 1
    my 1989 dodge dakota v6 2 wheel drive its ideling high but when i put it in gear it goes ok for awhile but then when i push gas pedal it starts slowing down but i can put it in nuetral and press gas pedal and it will race the motor fine then when i put it in gear it only wants to go at about 25 miles an hour but it doesnt never completely dies im at a loss can you help me please im stumped. thanks linda
  • pat2004dakotapat2004dakota Member Posts: 1
    Hello I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4x4 4 Door Quad cab. The exact same thing has been happening to me . also had the noise of going over rumble strips but there were no rumble strips growling and not up shifting into higher gears. I just dropped it off to my Tranny guy last week. He said the celluloid valve body was stuck closed. Also he put in a shifter kit and i haven't picked it up yet but he says its shifting and running perfect so i'll see when i get done working today don't know how much it cost yet im guessing 500.00 bucks Hope this helps . Good Luck !! Pat
  • peckdad4peckdad4 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with about 120,000 miles on it. The transmission seems to be missing second gear. It shifts from first to third. I hooked up my computer to it and the computer shows it shifting from first to third, missing second gear completely.

    I changed fluid and filter making sure to replace fluid with the +4 fluid that it calls for. Still not shifting right.

    Any suggestions for what it might be?
  • essence1essence1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 3.9L V6 RWD Dakota with a 4-speed (5-speed OD)automatic trans and recently noticed something about when it shifts. When it shifts from 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd it tends to drop about 100-200 RPMs before it shifts. Today it actually climbed 200-300 rpms right before shifting but only twice. 3rd to 4th is completely fine though. Before i changed my oil yesterday i noticed between the oil pan and the trans fluid pan there was something leaking out, which looked and felt like oil. Since its 12 years old could it possibly just be a worn out hose? Or is that even the problem? It doesn't jolt and its still a smooth ride. I did tune it up when i bought it but it didn't do that till months after. The front end as also shuddered twice when climbing a hill on the way back home, enough to make the steering wheel shake and the whole front in. Any input would be nice
  • teej314teej314 Member Posts: 2
    does anyone have any answers on how to fix this transmission problem we are all experiencing? i heard to you have to put in some kind of tranny stop leak stuff by doing a half tranny flush type thing. obviously i am mechanically illiterate. lol. ill ask what kind
  • teej314teej314 Member Posts: 2
    oh and its 5.9L v-8. automatic.

    and i was also wondering if i can change this transmission out for 2001 dodge ram 1500 manual transmission?
    if i cant exchange the tranny can i trade out the radiator?
  • jim1979jim1979 Member Posts: 1
    I have 2001 4.7 auto that does about the same thing. backing up it sounds like the gears robbing together and will not back up. So put back in park and let stop sping and then good to go. Can you tell whats next to happen
    ?
  • wanteda_chevywanteda_chevy Member Posts: 1

    This is a very simple problem that does not involve sensors or scanners or anything like that. The rubber boot on the gear shift needs to be rolled back, you will see a lever that is stopping the gear selector from moving. You need to step on the brake and lubricate that portion and you will be good for another 100,000 miles. Very simple and it works.

  • rangerdakota97rangerdakota97 Member Posts: 2

    Dumb question but did you replace plug wires when you replaced plugs? Had the same issue with my ranger, changed plugs and coil pack, had the wires changed about a year ago so I thought they were fine, but it turns out one wire was bad. Changed them and haven't had a problem since

    @eidlws said:
    I have a 2001 DAK Quad with 172k miles. Changed the battery last month and I have noticed transmission shudder at hiway speeds. Especially when shifting into OD. Just changed my spark plugs and problem still exists. Changed the TPS over a year ago. Do I need to get my chip re-flashed having recently diconnected the battery and can I do this myself somehow?
    Thanks, Great site.
    @eidlws said:
    Another UPDATE: After a couple of long trips (150 mi) the problem has returned.
    New plugs, coil and ejector.
    I see where the O2 sensor could have a part in this problem. Any suggestions before I replace anymore devices?

    Thanks,
    :confuse:

  • budmanrbudmanr Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2000 dodge Durango 4.7 motor 4x4 with a 45rfe tranny . In limp mode 2nd and 3rd gears only and have to shift manually to start in 2nd gear than to 3rd . getting a po755 code . first changed fluids and both filters and it ran fine for a couple of trips . than code and trouble back . next replaced SOLENOID PACK & Valve Body . again ok for a few trips and back again . Than replaced TCU drained fluid and replaced again . worked in for 2 trips and trouble back . also replaced tranny pressure sensor still trouble . Received 2nd solenoid pack and again ran ok for 1 trip than back . it seems that draining the fluid and refilling will clear trouble for a short time than back . has anyone had this trouble local tranny doesn't want to even look at this type of tranny .
  • allmydeath0918allmydeath0918 Member Posts: 1
    Has anyone stated anything about band adjustments on these Xmissions. I was once told by an old gentleman who rebuilt Xmissions, that on a Dodge if you change the fluid and filter in one that the band's needed to be readjusted .

    http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82080
  • bill1989bill1989 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1989 dodge Dakota sport 4x4. my problem is the transmission is shifting hard when driving but smooth when at a standstill any ideas other than fluid levels 
  • scottydodge1scottydodge1 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2017
    I have a 2000 dodge dakota 4wd 4.7 liter. My tranny problem started a few years ago with the truck shifting hard into second gear. Other gears do fine. Then recently it  acts like the torque converter is locking up when I come to a stop. (Not all the time, but frequently). And when I ease into a downshift situation, sometimes it will have a hesitation almost like a slip. But if I engage passing gear hard it downshifts fine. I'm new here so I would really appreciate any suggestions you have.

    Thanks in advance
  • 00dakotlstv800dakotlstv8 Member Posts: 1
    HEy Everyone!!!! I just bought a 2000 Dakota 4.7 SLT Magnum Manual V8. Shes a gorgeous truck, bought her for many reasons. but the seller painted the underbody to mask surface rust...... I shouldv'e known to proceed with caution..... But like a kid, when the truck dropped into my price range my bliners were on and I wanted her. Great shape for 148000miles.But the seller had it parked on a slanted driveway, so reverse wasnt necessary untill truck was already in motion and there was no issue with reverse. I drove the truck home 45 minutes highway, he says truckwas only used 6-8 miles daily city miles... so I attempt to reverse into my driveway and pooof. nada. I thought i was going crazy!!!! DID I FORGET HOW TO DRIVE STICK????? no . the guy looked me in the eye sold me a truck he said would take my family to colorado next week, it is in excellent mechanical shape nothing to be of worry. The reverse gear slips 100%. it winds almost like the olden day fire truck horns.... anyway is my trans bad?????? my clutch housing??? do i have to replace all gears or is it possible to swap out the reverse only. and my GOD i just dumped too much into this truck to be sold a problem. I swear I hope I can legally do something. This HAS to be breaking the law. Like selling a house that had plumbing when you were walking around everything was fine and then POOF.... wtf???????????? doesnt even sit full in reverse, if break applied hard then itll pop halfway in gear it feels like but as i release the clutch she spits it back out and it feels like neutral but you can here her whinning..... what in the world do I do????????????? did I just legit get screwed...........
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It might just be a linkage problem so you might crawl under there before taking it to a transmission specialist. Did you try pumping the clutch pedal a few times before putting it in reverse? If that works, then you have a slave cylinder problem.

    It's pretty difficult to "prove" fraud with a used car purchase---you'd pretty much have to find evidence, or a repair bill, or something that shows the owner knew about the problem and intentionally withheld that info from you. Even then, you'd have to drag them to Small Claims court, where you might "win"--but it's still up to you to collect the money.

    Anyway, take a deep breath and if you can't figure it out, bring it to a good repair shop for a diagnosis. At worst, you might be able to find a good used transmission for not too much money, and installation isn't that hard.

    I bought a '98 Dakota just like yours and it had a few problems I didn't spot. But I decided to put about $1,000 into it and after that, its' been a great truck for 3 years now--no other issues.
  • Thumper33Thumper33 Member Posts: 7
    dustyk said:

    What is the mileage and the transmission maintenance history?

    My first suspicion id a clogged transmission filter and/or low transmission fluid.

    Regards,
    Dusty

    250000
  • Thumper33Thumper33 Member Posts: 7
    i keep on top of it pretty good it looks to be in good shape but 25000 miles
  • Thumper33Thumper33 Member Posts: 7
    the abs light came on about the same time if that might help
  • RavenxoxoRavenxoxo Member Posts: 1
    Hi so I have a 1999 dodge dakota 145000 miles on it, single cab v6 rwd manual. Well it has no problem shifting but when its in first gear and I accelerate, the stick kicks out of first and sounds like its grinding... so I have to hold it in first gear. ejat do you think could be the problem?
  • AnotherdakotaAnotherdakota Member Posts: 2
    I've got a 2003 dodge dakota 4.7L 545rfe auto. I notice sometimes I get a slight slipping when going into 3rd or 4th, once it's actually engaged it won't slip even under hard throttle. If I turn od off it feels like it trys to go into the higher gears as soon as possible. I also notice that when I'm cruising at highway speeds and I'm in high gear 5th with od on if I push the brakes to see if the torque converter lockup will disengage and even I pushed the brakes while holding the gas steady I couldn't hear or see (the tach) any disengagement what so ever. Please if anyone has any advice as to what I should check or replace please help.
    Ps. I just did a fluid /filter change using Mopar atf+4.
    Also this "slipping" don't happen all the time, probably about 50% of the time.
  • AnotherdakotaAnotherdakota Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2003 dodge dakota 4.7L with a 545rfe transmission. About 50% of the time it shifts normal but the other 50% (especially when I drive it lightly) I get this feeling that it's slipping as it goes into each gear (2nd,3rd,4th etc). Also a few times in the morning it barely wants to move forward when in drive, until maybe 1 or 2 min then once it does "grab" it's fine (other then the previously mentioned slipping feeling). I just recently did a drain /filter /fill (atf+4) trying to see if this helps but not really. Fluid levels are good and I didn't see much of anything in the pan except the usual black sludge on and around the magnet. I know I'm probably gonna need r&r the transmission but I'm wondering if adding Lucas might give me a couple months until $ is a little more friendly to me back pocket. I know they say not to use lucas in a good working transmission but since there is likely already damage (I'm assuming worn clutch plates) my guess would be that Lucas could only do good at this point. Please help as this Christmas has not been good this year (3 family members passing and my other vehicle was written off by someone on their phone) I can really really use another month or two out of this transmission, please help.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well it doesn't sound good I have to say. Doing a fluid + filter was a good idea. It does sound like either worn clutch plates or maybe a defective valve body that might have caused the clutch plates to wear prematurely. So the trans fluid wasn't "burned" (burnt cork smell?) The so-called "black sludge" isn't a good sign, by the way.

    I suppose at this point there's no harm to an additive but I'm not too optimistic about it.
  • RayBowRayBow Member Posts: 2
    cscott1751 said:

    I have a 2001 dodge dakota, 4.7. The digital gear shift indicator display on the instrument panel is rotating continuously over all gears. Also the transmission feels as though its not shifting properly. The truck has been sitting for over a year, but othe...

    I have a 2004 dakota 4x4 with v-8 shows to be in all gears will not start or turn over changed valve body and ECU no change
  • RayBowRayBow Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2004 dakota 4x4 with v-8 shows to be in all gears speed and tack pegged out will not start or turn over changed solinode valve body and ECU no change
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