I bought my 99 Durango about 4 months ago. In the last three weeks, I have had to leave the house in a quick manner for fire calls. When I leave, it has been around 35 below zero. My transmission is shifted to drive and fails to move. The engine revs up and the vehicle just sits there. After a couple seconds, it engages and off we go. This has happened about a dozen times. Has anyone else had these symptoms? Does it sound like the tranny is headed South or maybe the torque converter is not getting enough fluid/pressure??? I'm not sure, so that is why I am asking you guys. Thanks in advance for any ideas or solutions.

 

Normal on many Dodge/Jeep vehicles.

I sold Jeeps a few years back and the Grand Cherokees would do that right off the showroom floor. (2004 model)

 

Hello,

Wow, 35 below? I am staying right where I am. I would say that cold, the fluid is pretty thick. It has to be thin to go through the filter, channels, and small wholes it has to go through. What to do about fixing that, I'm not sure. I don't think the trans is going out, I think the fluid is to thick at that temp. Hope it helps.

 

I also have a Jeep Grand Cheroke, '04 model that has done this same thing once, last winter. I also had a 1993 Dodge Dakota that did that on a pretty regular basis. The Durango has a remote start, so I always let it warm up for 10-15 mins. before I take off, unless there is a fire call, then there is no warm up. I appreciate you input, and I pray that it is just viscous and not getting enough pressure built up initially.

 

I'm with these guys the fluid is damn near syrup at that temp.

 

I didn't even read the 35° below part. lol

The Jeeps that I was talking about would do that even in the summer but only on initial cold start ups. Even my rebuilt fastman tranny does it sometimes when it's a little cool out here. (which really isn't that cold.)

 

Ok then, you need to install a new manuel valve made by sonnax, if it is a chrysler trans in the jeeps. The little 4.0 box jeeps have a toyota trans in them called AW4 or A340E, thats a different story. The new manuel valve give converter charge in park, normally it only charges the converter in neutral. So coming from park to reverse or to drive, the converter has to charge before the vehicle will move. Alot of people don't understand how a converter works, and thats not saying anything bad about anybody. I can explain how a converter works real easy so people can understand if you want me too. I'm not calling anybody dumb or anything like that by no means, just trying to help.