99 Durango Shift Problems

[heavyredchevy]

My Dad has a 99 Durango 5.2L 4x4 with a shift problem. When its cold, the truck holds 1st gear and wont shift to 2nd. 'when it does shift, is seems to slip, it will rev up then go into gear, Almost like it goes into nuetral with your foot on the gas. Truck has 130K on the tranny. It has a cooler, and the fluid is clean and doesnt smell burned. Most of the time it goes away once its warmed up.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

[steelerguy]

Originally Posted by heavyredchevy

My Dad has a 99 Durango 5.2L 4x4 with a shift problem. When its cold, the truck holds 1st gear and wont shift to 2nd. 'when it does shift, is seems to slip, it will rev up then go into gear, Almost like it goes into nuetral with your foot on the gas. Truck has 130K on the tranny. It has a cooler, and the fluid is clean and doesnt smell burned. Most of the time it goes away once its warmed up.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

Being an automatic, I would think it almost has to be internal to the tranny. Particularly since it goes away once warmed up.

If he's got 130K on his tranny, he should consider himself blessed. The durango has the same tranny as the jeep jerokee & the dodge dakota. They are not highly rated. Got mine redone at 85K. It never slipped once but was bleeding from both ends & making a roaring noise as soon as the overdrive engaged.

Can try getting a pressurized flush but some people recommend against that with older xmissions. Seem to think it can blow out old components. I do know people that continue to get it done on older cars/trucks well past 200K without incident. If it looks like it may go anyway, you are taking a $50 to $75 chance at fixing the problem or at least delaying the inevitable. I wouldn't bet heavy on this solution. My tranny experience ends at changing the fluid & filter.

Good luck.

[heavyredchevy]

I dont think he will be doing a flush... Its not to bad right now and we have heard too many bad stories about them. On another thought. Is the a TV (Throttle Valve) cable on the Durango? If there is, it may need adjusting.

[steelerguy]

Originally Posted by heavyredchevy

I dont think he will be doing a flush... Its not to bad right now and we have heard too many bad stories about them. On another thought. Is the a TV (Throttle Valve) cable on the Durango? If there is, it may need adjusting.

I don't think there is a throttle valve cable such as the one on the 89 chevy trucks. I think all the tranny inputs are electronic but I could be wrong. Never noticed one on my 99 durango. If I find one I'll let you know.

[mprtech]

Are you sure its not a delayed 2-3 shift? At what speed are you going when it does not shift, if its 30 to 40 mph then its a 2-3. If it indeed does have a delayed 1-2 shift then most likely a bad governor pressure transduser and solenoid, replacing those two should fix it. If its a delayed 2-3 which I am expecting, you have the usual front clutch leakage. You may experience a delayed reverse at times also because of this. It really won't cause the trans to pop as long as you don't keep your foot in it. With most front clutch problems it will shift if you back off the throttle just a bit. And yes it does have a kickdown or tv cable. Disconnect the cable at the throttle body and with the throttle at idle position the cable should line up perfectly with the knob it connects to. Also pull on the cable and make sure it moves freely and returns under its own spring pressure.

[heavyredchevy]

No its a 1st - 2nd delay. I know this cause it only does it in town (25 mph speed limit). Does the TV cable adjust the same way as my 89 K1500? Press and hold the button slid the slider all the way towards the tranny release the button and then open the throttle to wide open?

[steelerguy]

Originally Posted by heavyredchevy

No its a 1st - 2nd delay. I know this cause it only does it in town (25 mph speed limit). Does the TV cable adjust the same way as my 89 K1500? Press and hold the button slid the slider all the way towards the tranny release the button and then open the throttle to wide open?

I don't know how to do the adjustment or if you even should. I totally forgot to check for the cable this weekend & the book is at home. Was working on a roaring noise that starts at about 40mph that is part of another thread. Sorry. Will try to look it up if I can remember. Hate having oldtimers disease.