2001 Automatic Trans Problem

[Fish-N]

I have a 2001 dodge automatic overdrive, 48000 miles. When the truck sits a few days, I put it in gear it takes a few seconds and then clunks in gear. When it is in drive at low speeds going up hill, it shifts back and forth from gear to gear. Where can I go from here? Any advice?

[1stRAM]

My husbands 2000- same milage- does the exact same thing,was just about to post same question, hope someone can give some thoughts on the subject!!

[fredjacksonsan]

First of all, how many days is "a few"? All auto trannies will allow drainage of the fluid back into the trans over time.

There may be a slowly leaking seal or something that's allowing it to move.

As far as the low speed shifting, how fast are you going, and what gears is it shifting between?

[Fish-N]

Here are the answers:

The most my truck has sat before driving is maybe 5 days.

My speed is 10-20 mph when in drive. Back & forth shifting between drive & second gear with overdrive off.

Any other advice?

[fredjacksonsan]

As far as the shifting back and forth, it seems that maybe you're right at the point where the trans would shift, so it's hunting for the right gear. Kind of like going up a steep hill in overdrive, the trans drops back to 3rd for a bit, then goes to o/d again. Try varying your speed, increase or decrease about 5mph or so and see if that makes a difference.

When you say "a few seconds" to shift into gear, is it like 1-2 or 10 seconds to get into gear?

[neon_rt]

I would check the fluid level first. If you have a drainback problem, you have a couple of choices: Have it repaired or put the truck in Neutral and let it idle a few seconds before putting it in gear. Most automatics don't circulate the fluid while in Park, they do in any other setting (including Neutral). Some Trans/Shift kits change the fluid flow to allow circulation in Park. I had a shift kit installed in my '69 Charger, the only drawback I could see is, because the fluid is being actively pumped in Park, when you go to put it in Drive (from Park) it engages Reverse so quickly that you can feel it go into Reverse as you move the selector.

[Fish-N]

fredjacksonsan---

The back and forth shifting was not only in drive, but in second gear. As far as the varient speeds, it has never done this in its whole life. I bought the truck brand new. Its not trying to find a gear, it feels like it is going back and forth.


When you say "a few seconds" to shift into gear, is it like 1-2 or 10 seconds to get into gear? ---- about 5- 10 seconds

[fredjacksonsan]

neon_rt's right, first step (I assumed you'd done this) is to make sure you have the fluid level correct.

Odd that you'd have a shifting problem at 48K miles, although stranger things have happened, especially since this hasn't happened previously.

If the vehicle was mine, I'd try a fluid change. I had a friend that had trans problems, worse than yours, but no money to have anything fixed. He changed his fluid (just dropped the pan and replaced filter & fluid) and the trans got better - for awhile. Well, he did the same thing 4 times over a year, changing the filter and fluid each time the problems reappeared. After these changes, he didn't have another problem for 150000 miles.

So it might be that the fluid isn't doing so hot, or there is some dirt or something in the trans that's hurting the shift.

One last thing -- since there's so much electronic stuff in auto trannies today, check the forum for other shifting problems. It's possible a speed sensor or something has failed or is failing, to cause the problem.


Hope all that helps.


(4k)

[neon_rt]

Make sure you use the Correct MOPAR ATF+4 fluid. If you use anything else, you may need a transmission sooner than you thought.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by neon_rt

Make sure you use the Correct MOPAR ATF+4 fluid. If you use anything else, you may need a transmission sooner than you thought.

; there are many posts with this advice. There are a lot of problems that occur if the right stuff isn't used; sometimes they went away when the ATF+4 was put back in.

[troy1]

make sure you have ATF + 4 also dodges have problems with the Gov sensor & transducer in the transmission (easily changed with a pan drop) this will cause a 1-2 2-1 1-2 2-1 shift at low speeds even on flat ground. wrong gear starts or SES light depending on the conditions