I have a 95 dakota 2wd with the 3.9 It seems like my transmission searches for gears when I accelerate or going up a hill. Sometimes it will shift, then shift within seconds again (I don't gun it at all).

Any ideas what could cause this? Truck has 225k miles on it, but trans looks like a newer replacement or rebuild. I know I had silenoid issues and band issues with my 00 ram. Could I need to do a band adjustment? Thought about changing fluid and filter but not interested in causing more problems. I have also been looking into a NV3500 swap, which I might start stockpiling parts for.

Thanks

 

How is your fluid and the fluid level? Next it could be your TV cable needs adjustment.

With the V6 the stock manual transmission is a AX15, the NV3500 is more commonly found on V8's (Some Ram V6's had them) But the AX15 may be easier to find.

 

I think I had a AX15 in my 92 wrangler. Does that sound right? If so, can I use ram, wrangler and dakota transmissions? Just need to get the pedals and clutch cylinder from a dakota.

Fluid is pink and doesn't smell burned. Im eager to drop the pan, but afraid of what I will see/dislodge that's keeping my trans going.

 

Yes Jeeps used the AX15 no it will not work that is the Jeep version you will need the Dodge version.

 

I checked out the throttle valve cable (kickdown?) and it has very little slack. The accelerator cable its pretty loose tho. Is there an adjustment for that?

What else could cause a searching trans? I bought a coolant temp sensor to clear up a slight rough idle, but didn't feel like taking the whole a/c and alt bracket off since the clouds were rolling in. Should I drop the trans pan and replace the fluid/filter, adjust bands? Is there a vacuum line that if it leaks, would cause erratic shifting?

It seems like when it shifts out of 1st into second, it shifts within 3 secs after it just shifted into 2nd.