1999 Dakota

My 99 Dakota 5.2lt Automatic transmission is having trouble shifting into 2nd gear wheb it is cold. Have to let off the gas to shift. Does any one know what the cause is?

Take a white paper towel, napkin, etc., and put a drop or two of the old fluid on it. New/good fluid is red, old fluid becomes brown, burnt fluid is black. As the fluid wicks out into the paper, note the color and if it is even vs. rings of color that would suggest fluid breakdown (particularly of the fluid is black rather than brown).

Heat breaks down ATF, and varnish builds which can cause shifting problems. Clean fluid and regular fluid changes may stop that.

Drop the transmission pan and take a look at the contents. If you have material in the pan bottom, you have a mechanical problem for sure. There may be a dusting, but that's not a problem. Refill with new fluid, (be sure you get what Dodge spec's), and replace the trans. filter.

If the fluids breaking down, you likely have some sort of mechanical issue, and I'd find a local trans shop that you can trust other than AAMCO, Cottman, or the chains.

FWIW: I use a trans additive called Lubeguard and it seems to help, but it won't fix a broken transmission.