My wife just bought a 2000 Durango 5.9La few months ago and it has started to throw a P1740 code. I looked up the code and it says OD solenoid. What do I need to do to fix this?

Bob

 

Torque convertor clutch solenoids go bad once in a while on these trannies. They're not that hard to change. Drop the pan, it should be pretty accessible. If it is not the solenoid, then the torque convertor may be it and that's a $2000 rebuild.

Most likely, the trans was NOT regularly maintained by the first owner. Classic actually. If it is salvageable, take it to a good trans shop (NOT the dealer) and replace the solenoids and the filter with an actual OEM Mopar filter and use ATF+4 replacement fluids (NOT a factory pseudo-mixture, regardless of what they tell you.) You may need to get 2 gallons and the filter at the dealer and take them in with you becasue the shop won't have them (Walmart has the quarts and Autozone has a Valvoline ATF+4 now.) With the pan down, have the solenoid replaced and the bands adjusted (you have adjustable bands on the 5.9L mated trans.)

Price on the adjustment, fluids, diffs while your there (use Mobil1 75W-90), filter and service at a good trans shop ... probably $375 plus the cost of the solenoid part. The dealership will be $900+. If you find you need a rebuild or a new trans (probably not) the call Dan the Fastman on a MS unit. Superior to a rebuild or stocker.

Note: NEVER DO A TRANSMISSION FLUSH ON THAT TRANS. Regardless of what you read or hear or have told to you, simply have them drop the pan, adjust the bands, change the filter and the fluid EVERY 36,000 miles. That's a great time to service the diffs too.

Here is a TSB on the issue that may be helpful too. read it and you will see a new part for the plate that may prevent it from happening again. The transmission valve body pressure boost valve cover plate has been revised with a larger size orifice hole to address this condition.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/21-11-00.htm

IndyDurango <--- 5.9L, same trans as you, serviced regularly, 172,000+ miles, strong as an ox and fast as a horse... 320+ of them in fact.

 

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and changed the fluid and filter since I did not know what type of maintenance the previous owner had done. There was no metal shavings in the pan other than the normal stuff that was stuck to the magnet. I replaced the fluid with ATF+4. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that works. If not, I'll check into the TSB that you sent.

Thanks,
Bob