Hey guys, I just picked up a 2000 Durango 5.9L 4x4 with 130000 miles. It's in great shape and runs like a champ, but a couple days after I got it I started noticing some erratic shifts. Its very inconsistent so I'll try my best to describe whats going on. Occasionally when I take off from a light it bounces back and forth from 1st and 2nd gear like it can't decide what gear it wants. Other times it shifts perfectly normal. I've tried starting from a stop in 1low and manually shifting up to 2nd then drive, but it never wants to make the shift into 2nd. It works fine downshifting manually, but doesn't want to upshift manually. I checked the fluid, replaced the TPS and the transmission output speed sensor (cheapest and easiest fixes first! ). The TPS replacement initially seemed to fix the issue and I got lots of power back, but after a week of driving it is back to its old tricks. After combing the forums I'm suspecting I might have a governor pressure solenoid in need of replacement, but i'm hoping to get some expert opinions before I drop the pan and change the fluid (lord knows what kind of garbage has been poured down the fill tube). Here's a list of what I've checked or replaced so far. Oh yeah...the MIL isn't on either.

1. Trans fluid full and clean, no signs burnt fluid, sludge...varnish...etc. on the dipstick.

2. Replaced TPS sensor: initially seemed to solve the issue

3. Replaced transmission output speed sensor.

The next step was to drop the pan, change the fluid...and perhaps replace the governor pressure solenoid and transducer and adjust the bands, but I'm at the point where things are going to start costing some real money, so I don't want to go throwing parts at it without at least a warm and fuzzy that it will fix the issue. Any help you guys could give me would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

I wanted to reiterate that the MIL is NOT on and the inconsistent nature of the problem(s) is what has me baffled. OD seems to work fine, cruise, etc. I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to working on my vehicles, but my achilles heel is definitely transmissions. They just operate on voodoo magic right? lol I'm thinking i'm about to get a crash course in them though. Thanks again for your help everyone!

 

you might need to adjust the tv cable. Also putting the selector in second gear doesn't shift it into 2nd immediately, it just lets the transmission choose between 1st and 2nd

 

Thanks Guy! I'm going to take a look at the TV cable. As for the shift into 2nd...after moving the selector into 2nd it stays in first all the way up to 4000rpm (would probably hit rev limiter if i let it). The PRNDL indicator or the dash is also pretty loose it seems. I can be in D and wiggle the shifter so it shows its in Neutral. Don't know if thats a common thing on these or not. Used to have a '96 Indy Ram, but don't remember ever noticing it on that.

 

yeah, definitely check the tv cable and see if that fixes anything. As for the selector, there is a bracket bolted to the transmission that the cable snaps into, make sure it is in there the whole way and that it is the whole way onto the little nipple on the transmission

 

I'll give 'er the once over and report back with any improvements or catasrophies.

 

Ok so i've monkey'd with the TV cable and it seems to have made a difference. I have some consistency in my shifts now. They are still messed up but at least they are consistent! Starting from a dead stop and accelerating it shifts from 1st to 2nd at 3000rpm and 2nd to 3rd at about 2200 rpm. From 3rd to 4th I get a slight (100-200 rpm) flare between shifts at about 1800 rpm. This seems to be the same regardless of whether I accelerate with a light pedal or more aggressively. Other than that I'm not seeing the back and forth from 1-2 now. WooHoo! The TV cable adjustment seems to be really sensitive! Seems like .050-.100 either way has a significant effect. I went ahead and reset the PCM just for good measure. You all think this is something I can just work out with the TV cable or am I still looking at some potentially bad solenoids/sensors? Maybe just a fluid/filter change and band adjustment?

 

you can probably correct most of the issue with the tv cable. I'm not very familiar with all of the sensors however mastertech is a transmission expert and will be able give you a better idea with the sensors.

 

At 130k I would also adjust the transmission bands. How ever to adjust the rear band you will have to drop the pan again. You will need a inch pound toque wrench. I would get a manual or look for a DYI for band adjustment. It isn't hard to do but it must be done correctly. Hope this helps.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...to-tranny.html

 

Thanks guys. I haven't dropped the pan yet because I only wanted to do it one time if possible. Thats why i've held off on the fluid/filter change. If I need new solenoids/sensors I want to get them first and swap it all. It will mean I won't know for sure what fixed it, but as long as it works and I don't have to do it again i'll be happy. Love the D, but this problem is making me crazy!