We have an '03 Durango SXT, 4x4, 4.7L that we've owned for a little over a year. We already have the Hayne's book for it.

Here's the problem. We've just changed the fluid and filter on our transmission (it's the "45" one) hoping it would help with a recent issue that's developed. Driving in town, there's no problem, it shifts smoothly and on time. However, when we're leaving town, and accelerating (usually happens between 40 - 50 mph), it downshifts from OD, gives you whiplash and near heart failure. It's as if you've suddenly punched the breaks and immediately released them again. At one point a few mornings ago on my way home from work, I thought I had gotten away without the "jolt", but it decided to do it while I was driving 65mph! Just about greased my drawers over that one. It usually only does it once, and runs smoothly once it's gotten it out of it's system.

I have no problems with the cruise control and, other than the occasional rough idle at low rpm issue, she runs like a champ. She currently has 73K miles and we've done regular maint, however, it doesn't look like, according to the[:@] Dodge dealer [:@], the previous owners had the transmission serviced, unless they did it themselves (as there was no gasket on the pan, but rather the form-a-gasket). There were no metal shavings or such in the trans pan or on the magnet.

From what I've learned (from spending the day on this forum) it sounds like it's more of a sensor/electrical problem since OD is not controlled by hydralics? Right?

We went today to a[:@] Dealer[:@] here, pricing various parts so we know what we may be facing, and trying to prod them for some hints as what they may think the problem is. But of course, the transmission specialist wouldn't give up any information. (The last time we went to a[:@] Dealer [:@], they charged us $100 just to tell us nothing was wrong. We had taken it in because the dear husband swore something wasn't right with the transmission, and it was still under warranty.... so we are very reluctant to take it back to another one.)

I love my baby. I've wanted one ever since the first one rolled off the assembly line... now I have her and wanna keep her!

Thanks for having this excellent forum for all of us anti-Dealer folks!

 

It may be as simple as a shifter cable adjustment. I have felt the same thing and found it to be the throttle cable (and yes I hear ya on the whiplash and it scared the crap outta me on a road trip).

 

Thanks! We'll definitely check that out before anything else!

 

Oh and I didn't mean throttle cable. WOOPS! Shifter cable

 

Tehehe! It's ok. I'd looked it up and there's not a throttle adjustment for mine, so I figured you'd meant something else. No worries

(edit... see we all do it!) BTW, we checked the original paperwork for our D, and she's got the 545RFE, not the 45, like we originally thought. I'd done some research specific to the 545 and I've not seen near the complaints about it, like the previous models of Durangos and whatever they had in them, one even went so far as to call it all but "bullet proof".... sorta like the Magnum engine... so, the hunt will go on. I'll let you know what the final verdict is. They want $75 just to test it at the dealer. I'm trying to save that as a very last resort.... because I'm sure they'll tell me, "We couldn't find anything wrong" or "You need this fixed or replaced, and it runs about $6,000."

Ok, I'm starting to rant.

Oh, and Mean? I just have to ask, are you all recovered from the spitting incident in NY? I about died when I read that, because I kept thinking I'd have had the exact same reaction as you. No permanent damage, I hope, to you or your D.

pg

 

Ha I forgot all about that spitter. I'm just happy to be out of NY. Back on subject though you can adjust the shifter cable yourself. All you need to do is loosen it a little bit, there should be a little slack in it. it can be found attached to the left side of the throttle body (I don't know how well you know engines so sorry if it sounds like I'm patronizing you) you would just follow the air hose to the top of the engine andthat is the throttle body.

 

We had taken automechanics back in 91, until our 6-month-old son was hospitalized for spinal menigitis... We were about 1/2 way through, so I can get around a motor (not to mention brakes!) pretty well. No patronly-offense taken

Thanks for the help. I'll keep you posted.

 

Bad news. Today, it threw 2 codes. P0700. A/Z tells us it needs an electronic control module? Dealer only part. $300+. Does anyone know any other possible solution other than tearing out the transmission and ripping it apart looking for "an open circuit"?

Also got the code P1776. I'm sure I saw that on this board somewhere, but don't have time to go through it looking to see what it was.

 

Well, we did it. We dropped her off at the dealer this morning for them to do a diagnositic.

I'll let you know what their verdict is.

 

Here's the scoop. We got her back a little bit ago, and they said they had to add yet another 1 1/2 quarts of transmission fluid. Wow. That brought the grand total of the fluid for the fluid change to 7 1/2 quarts.... a little more than the "called for" 5 quarts. (Torque converter low??)

In addition, they did some recalibration of the clutch indexes. Did another test drive to check it out and said it didn't downshift anymore. (I guess on the initial test drive the guy did, it didn't do it between 40 - 50, it waited until he was doing 70 mph to downshift.) They told us that the transmission guy had only seen this happen one other time, and it was on a 300 they bought from an auction.

We took her for the test drive and she seems to be back in shape, and the shifting (overall) seems "tighter" somehow. Nice.

Total Charge: $75.71.

Originally we were told that it would be roughly $75 + tax to do the diagnostic. They ended up not charging us for the diagnostic, but rather just for the labor... better for us in the long run.

Kudo's to Tate Branch Dodge. They have just restored some of our faith in Dodge dealerships.