Hi,

I have a 2002 durango. with the 4.8 v8. automatic transmission.

I read the transmission sticky and this seems to be my issue:
DELAYED ENGAGEMENT (FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR REVERSE)

4. Torque Converter Drain Back (Oil drains from torque converter into transmission sump). 4. If vehicle moves normally after 5 seconds after shifting into gear, no repair is necessary. If longer, inspect pump bushing for wear. Replace pump house.

after about 5 seconds it will seem fine. it does not "clunk" in, it "slips" in. By reading the sticky it seems i should just ignore this problem?

It is also doing something else weird they may be related. Sometimes when im coming to a stop the rpm will drop real low like its going to stall but usually never does. it has stalled only 3 times since i bought the truck about 6 months ago.

Any one have something similar? Should I not worry about it until the trans completely fails and just buy a rebuilt one or one from the junkyard. My truck has about 155,000 Miles.

 

SUBJECT:
45RFE / 545RFE Trans - Delayed Engagement Due To Cooler Return Filter Replacement
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves a transmission delayed shift condition that may occur following the
replacement of the internal cooler return filter.
MODELS:
2000 - 2004 (AN) Dakota
2000 - 2003 (DN) Durango
2003 - 2006 (DR) Ram Truck
2004 - 2006 (HB) Durango
2002 - 2006 (KJ) Liberty
1999 - 2004 (WJ / WG) Grand Cherokee
2005 - 2006 (WK / WH) Grand Cherokee
2006 (XK) Commander
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 45RFE or a 545RFE
automatic transmission (sales code DG4 or DGQ respectively).
DISCUSSION:
The customer may experience an initial delayed shift engagement following an extended
off (not running) period of time, generally after being parked overnight. The initial shift
engagement may feel like a delay or slip when a transmission gear (reverse or drive) is
first selected after engine start.
The customer may not have experienced the delayed shift engagement until after the
transmission has been serviced, where the cooler return filter was replaced during the
service and/or repair.
The condition is not detrimental to the transmission but may cause concern with the
customer.
The above condition may be caused by a suspect cooler return filter a part number of
04799662AB. This “AB” suffix / level filter may allow transmission fluid to drain back out
of the torque converter. The drain back condition may occur over a period time when the
engine (and transmission) are not running. With less fluid in the torque converter a delay in
gear engagement may occur at engine start up while the torque converter fills to its proper
fluid level.
All 04799662AB cooler return filters with the “AB” suffix are suspect. The above condition
may be corrected by replacing a suspect “AB” filter with a new cooler return filter whose
part number is 04799662 (with no suffix or with a suffix that is other than the “AB” level).
NOTE: The cooler return filter, p/n 04799662, will not be available until September
09, 2005. The filter part number is stenciled on the side of the filter case.
NOTE: A replacement 04799662 cooler return filter may come packaged with a
separate threaded adapter stud. The threaded adapter stud is used to attach
the cooler return filter to the transmission. Inspect the stud and note end
without threads. Install the stud end without the threads into the cooler
return filter and tighten the stud-to-filter connection to 18.6 Nm (165 in. lbs.).
Once the threaded adapter stud has been installed to the cooler return filter,
install the assembled cooler return filter to the transmission and tighten the
filter to 14.1 Nm (125 in. lbs.)

 

THank you. You have definitely simplified this for me. I appreciate your time

 

My 02 4.7 v8 4x4 durango does this after sitting overnight periodically. and my is a DGE not DG4 or DGQ. would i still need to replace the filter?