I bought a '92 Dodge Dakota last year and have had some problems.
First, the radiator had a serious leak, and it was running hot.
I replaced it with a new one, and in the clumsy process of installing it (first time working on a car or truck) I seem to have punctured it on the fan.
Now my new radiator leaks, and as much as I try to keep from running hot, it has done so a couple of times.
Since I replaced the radiator, the transmission started to slip a bit, and I had to manipulate the throttle to get the gear to catch when starting out; it also lost gear when going down the road, usually around 45-60mph (at 65, it ran smooth). It was pretty mild, so I didn't think much of it (having had a '95 Ford Thunderbird previously with a similar problem, and the tranny in it eventually gave out) but the problem became more and more intense over time. I realized that when detaching and reattaching the hoses that some transmission fluid leaked; however, the fluid level remained stable on the dipstick.
About a week ago, it was running hot on my way home with nowhere to stop and refill it with water (which I do every time I leave the house, as the leak usually drains the water by the end of the day). I live at the bottom of a large hill, so at around 50mph I shifted into neutral and coasted down the hill (to reduce heat buildup from accelerating) until i decelerated to about 30, and shifted back into drive.
The next day, on my way up that same hill, the truck shook a bit and over-revved to about 3500 rpm, then shut off. I coasted onto the shoulder and restarted the car (noticing afterward it was in drive [which should have not allowed the car to start, right?] and immediately shifted back into park). After idling for about 30 secs, I tried to shift back into drive and accelerate, but the truck wouldn't move. It wouldn't go forward or backward. I also noticed that when I shifted through the gears before I got out and checked the fluid level, the rpm's didn't change, and it didn't feel like the truck recognized that the shifter was in a different position. The dipstick read a little low so I added a quart of transmission fluid. I got back in and tried again to drive, but it still wouldn't budge.
I know that's a long story full of useless information (or at least useless in my eyes), but I thought the more detail I give the better chance that someone can draw a formidable conclusion as to what I can do about it.
I also understand that it's hard to draw conclusions without having your hands on the vehicle.

Just a rundown of my situation, without all the words:
Some tranny fluid leaked when I changed my radiator, maybe causing tranny problems for the first time since owning the car (and to my knowledge ever).
I was driving down a hill and shifted into neutral to limit heat increase from accelerating, then back into drive when i decelerated to around 30mph, and made it home.
The next day I was driving up a hill when my truck shook a bit and over-revved to around 3500 rpm, then shut off.
I coasted to the shoulder, and restarted the car, noticing after that it was in drive. I put it in park and let it idle (it was already at running temp) and then ran it through the gears before checking the fluid level.
When running it through the gears, noticed that the car acted as though it was in park the entire time, no change in rpm, no change in sound, no movement.
Added a quart of tranny fluid
Truck wouldn't move (basicly wouldn't shift into drive) so I had to get a tow.

Any insight would be helpful, I've been out trying to get it working today, but I'm on a tight budget with no transportation, so I'm pretty much dead in the water.

 

I hate to say it, but it sounds like your tranny is toast. I guess if you want you can check the shift linkage if it doesn't seem like it is engaging any gears. Also you can try a fluid and filter change with some stop slip additive (Lucas Trans Stop Slip as an example). I did the same thing on an old POS exploder that I use to own, it would not move while in gear, so I said what the hell I'll throw $20 at it and see if it works... it drove fine for the 2 years I drove it before I sold it.

Good Luck

 

Did yours catch at all? Mine is acting as though it's in park/neutral at all times, in any gear position. Also, when you shifted, did the rpms change or did you notice a difference in feel or sound?

 

No, it would not catch or change RPM when changing gears. Can't recall if I could "feel" the trans engaging the gears, it was about 8 years ago now.

 

Update:

Just ran it through the gears and check the fluid level again. The fluid is high, and my oil dipstick is covered with oil about half way up it. I've added only about a quart of oil to it since I got it, and when I have checked it since the levels have been normal. Whatever is causing this problem, it is causing the oil level to rise? As I said, before last week the oil levels were normal, now the dipstick reads that it has way too much.

I also put it in different gears and saw that the hardware under the chassis is responding to the gear shift lever in the cab, all the way into the actual transmission.

 

I don't like to assume anything, so just to make sure, you checked the oil level with the engine off, on a flat surface, and let it sit for a few minutes after turning it off before checking?

If that is the case, then you need to check what the colour of the coolant is, if it is a milky brown, like a milkshake, you have coolant in your engine, most likely a blown head gasket. Have you noticed coolant disappearing? What engine do you have, I didn't notice you mention it at all?

If you are unsure on the colour of the oil by checking the dipstick, then just change the oil to be safe. When you drain the oil you'll know right away if it looks like normal dirty oil, or if it has water in it. You can post a picture if you want anyone to confirm. I would park the truck through until you can confirm if it is coolant in the oil or not, as it is a pretty easy way to trash the engine.

 

the torque converter is probably not able to fill as it should, which could be why your fluid level is high. Could be something wrong with the TC, the pump, valve body, or maybe the filter is so clogged that fluid is unable to pass through.

I would personally drop the pan and take a ganders at the filter and valve body (do not remove it).

Also what does the fluid look like (should be bright red)? Does it have a burnt smell to it?

 

/Facepalm. I definitely checked it when it was running.

Assuming you're referring to the transmission fluid, it is red. I guess it has a vague burnt smell to it.

 

Wait. Are you saying that the engine oil level is rising or the trans fluid level is rising?

 

Sorry, I wasn't clear. The oil level rose, the transmission fluid looks to have a little more in it than it needs. I assumed when it broke down that it may have been due to a shortage, so I added some, but now it is reading a little high on the dipstick.