I have a 95 dakota 4x4 . It doesn't want to shift right. It takes forever to shift into high. Then sometimes it'll shift back and forth from high to second and back to high, back into second. Somewhere around 45-50 it'll go into high. I had the tranny drained and refilled a year ago. Sometimes it won't go down into first. I'll stop at a light and then step on the gas to go, only to have it rev up and then catch with a clunk. Any Ideas???

 

what fluid did they use to refill it? the ONLY fluid these trannys can be filled with is ATF+4. This is from the FAQ...

How do I check my automatic transmission fluid level?- Start engine and bring it to operating temperature (usually done by driving a few miles). With engine at operating temperature, park on a level surface. Shift the transmission through all the gears, and shift into neutral. Set the parking brake and pop the hood. Check transmission fluid (remember, engine must be running, transmission must be warmed up, transmission must be in neutral, and parked on level ground). Adjust as needed, DO NOT OVERFILL!

What automatic transmission fluid should I use?- Use ONLY ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluids! Under no circumstances should you ever use Dexron or Mercon transmission fluids! One special note: many synthetic transmission fluids (such as Amsoil and Mobil 1) are approved for Dexron/Mercon and are also either ATF+3 or ATF+4 approved OR "recommended for Chrysler transmissions," and it is perfectly fine to use these fluids.

Hope this helps..my truck shifts like hell before it warms up a little, which takes a few blocks but after that its fine. goodluck with it.

 

I'm not really sure what fluid they put back in. It ran perfectly well right after they changed it in late 2006, but ever since summer 2007 it started acting up. First it was shifting back into first, I'd go to leave a stop sign or light, only to have it slip and then catch with a jerk. Then it started not to shift into high till you reved to about 3 grand. Then it would shift back and forth from second to high at about 40mph. Finally it would shift into high then stay there till I would have to slow down and start all over again.

 

You could try adjusting the throttle cable. My '94 was shifting kind of rough so I went to the dealer and they adjusted the throttle cable just a little bit. It took about 10 seconds and now my truck shifts VERY smooth. It also has brand new sythetic tranny fluid, so that probably helps.

 

the kickdown for the tranny, it always happens, it can go out of adjust sometimes, try it.