My 98 Durango 4x4 5.2 liter. Foamy fluid at operating temp, stall when put in reverse or drive when warmed up, shuddering upon takeoff, won't downshift when at operating temp, seems to work fine when cold, but when warm the transmission does all those things. Fluid level is good, looks darkened, perhaps from torque converter going. Is this simply a torque converter problem or am I looking at just getting a whole new transmission. Am a mechanic but have only minimal knowledge of tranny issues. Please help me figure out if replacing the torque converter is a waste of time or do I just need to have my teanny rebuilt or replaced.

 

based on the stalling it sounds to me like the torque converter is staying locked up even when it is supposed to be unlocked, i would look at the lock up solenoid, not sure where it is located on your trans hopefully someone else will chim in with that information