P1716 Transmission Problem while Accelerating when Hot

[Idaho_Mechanic1984]

2000 Dodge Dakota 4.7 L Automatic 4-Speed, 4x4

Customer complained of no power when trying to pass above 70mph on freeway.

I test drove and could feel hesitation/surging and believed it may be a sensor but all the typical sensors for this problem seem to be reacting properly within parameters(TPS, MAP, IAT, ECT, etc)

So I now believe it is related to the torque converter malfunctioning or the TCM or the ECM. Can the torque converter malfunction only when hot?

What are the possibilities when it seems perfectly fine and powerful when cold/cool? I floor it when hot and notice the problem more and more above 50mph, like it can't move - RPMs sometimes jump around (like 4500 down to 4000 and back up) while trying to accelerate.

If I let off the gas a bit - maybe 20% it will kick to the next gear, but still accelerate more slowly than when cold or it will kick back down when I floor it and try to move again, but only accelerate slowly.

When it was cold-warm - seemed like it really took off and accelerated acceptably up to 90mph before letting off. Any ideas on what it could be and/or how to fix or test it without throwing parts at it? If it requires major transmission work - they don't want to fix it, so I am hoping I can fix it with a sensor/computer - or worst case - torque converter - but I need to be sure.

(Other issues - sometimes runs hot - above 220-35, when in heavy traffic and 85+ weather, believe stuck thermostat or fan clutch not working - stayed under 210 while I test drove though, AC doesn't work)

Thanks a bunch for any help!

Dale in Idaho

[t_arnold]

It sound like 1 of 2 issues to me. 1st check the transmission fluid, if the motor is running that hot, the fluid could be breaking down and causing the clutches to slip. The fluid should be bright red. No other color. 2nd, I believe, that transmission has the 2 2nd gear ratios in it. If it does, the bands can be adjusted. If they are a little loose, that can cause transmission slip in drive and overdrive. that will also heat up the transmission fluid enough to make the clutches slip. If it doesn't run that hot all the time, I think it would just need a coolant flush, transmission fluid flush, new filter, and adjust the bands on the transmission. Let me know if this helps.