2001 Dakota Quad Cab, V-6, SLT, transmission dosen't always shift to low from a stop. If it does it will shift hard to the next gear. Any ideas.
Asked by JDB May 04, 2010 at 03:37 PM about the 2001 Dodge Dakota
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Dakota has the big V-6. Never used for towing or hauling. Transmission does not always shift to low gear when stopped. When it does it is sometimes hard to get it to shift up. Pattern is not consistent. Could this be a sensor problem or something in the transmission?
5 Answers
Check the fluid level and if it is good check the filter
sorry to say, but dodge trucks from that era are notorius for the trannys going bad. first thing, check the fluid level with the truck up to temperature and the transmission in neutral. if the fluid is full there is not a hell of a lot you can do. there is no way to check the filter and rarely does replacing the filter help. i had this exact problem with my 1998 ram. i ended up needing to get the tranny rebuilt. sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
usually the 1-2 shift solenoid goes bad, but unlike automatic transmissions of the past that used fluid movement to change gears, the dodge truck transmissions are electronically controlled.
Finally got to check my transmission out. Your answer was what I had suspected and was confirmed by the transmission repair shop. One sensor and one solenoid was weak/bad. Total cost to repair about $325.00. Better than $2,000 for a new one!! Thanks for the info. JB
I have a 96 Dakota 4x4 with a 318 auto transmission. I have looked and looked and can't find a reasonable transmission for under 1400.00, the one I have has all forward gears but the reverse went out. Does anyone have any idea what it could be. I am trying my best not to rebuild the whole transmission if I don't have to. If anyone can help me out with what I need to do please email me at deisleysr@icloud.com. Thanks in advance. Dave
