Hello all,

So here's the deal:

2000 Dodge Durango 5.9 2WD

Back in late 2012 I had the transmission rebuilt after some issues with it slipping and having trouble changing gears. Coupled with the knowledge that there would be some problems with this transmission because of their reputation and that the previous owners had some problems with it (had lucas in it when I bought it) I saw this coming. I bought the truck for almost nothing with 140,000 on the dash and was prepared to get the transmission rebuilt or replaced.

When I got the transmission back in and driving i noticed 1st to 2nd were hard shifts, but i assumed a shift kit was put in place with the rebuild to strengthen the transmission. I adjusted the TV cable and got it to shift less violent and was satisfied.

Over the past week I noticed the transmission slipping a little in first gear from a dead stop. Other than that there may be a little slipping once moving, but barely noticeable.

Today I figured out I have not been checking the fluid correctly and went out and ran it for 15 minutes with the truck in neutral and the checked the fluid. The level on the dipstick is "min" so its not empty and the result is consistent.

My question is, have i damaged the transmission by running it at min for 6+ months? I will put ATF+4 in today at lunch and post my results, but for now I'm hoping for a little help.

I am a full time student and work a full time job with little money (which is why I chose this route to begin with) and i'm very discouraged with this situation. I need some alternatives that don't consume all my money just to troubleshoot if the transmission is fried.

Thank you for any help, it is much appreciated.

 

Being at "min" level is not good for it but, at the same time is better than running it below min or almost dry. Being at the minimum level could very well be your culprit to the slipping as it will change the pressures being low. Since you just added fluid i would drive it a bit and see if there is any change.. if not then i would look into seeing if it needs a band adjustment, while not likely since it was just rebuilt it still could be possible.

Also, when you did the rebuild did you change the speed sensor on the tail of the trans? that controls the shifting of that trans so that may cause your issues if it is failing. Only other thing that comes to mind with slipping in first from a dead stop would be the torque converter going bad. If that was the case it be more of a lag rather than a slip.

 

Well I was very careful and patient with it at lunch and carefully added fluid until i reached the exact middle of the "ok" line. I waited about five minutes and checked it again and it was consistent while checking for 10 min. Only took 1QT to reach the middle of the line. VERY briefly (1st gear accel 3 or 4 time) drove it and no slip or lag whatsoever, drives just like it did before the occurrence.

So that makes me feel better that it wasn't very low and went from slipping to not slipping so quickly, but makes me realize how sensitive the transmission is. I didn't rebuild the transmission but the transmission got new seals, bands, clutches, solenoids and a new governor pressure sensor. (i trusted a friend and didn't ask many questions, maybe my first mistake)

I would actually like to go ahead and say that the transmission was more lagging than slipping because it would move when i accelerated, but was slow to accel (maybe 1/8 more throttle and 200 more rpm's to get it moving like it used to)

I'll do the transmission service (to clean out possible debris from the new clutches) and post again with my results tomorrow. Thank you for your reply.

 

Drove home and everything seemed normal and drove like it normally would. Then I replaced the fluid, filter and gasket. I let it run about 17 minutes or so and I checked it after putting 5 qts in and it was barely touching the bottom of the dip stick. I drove it up some hills in my neighborhood and all around it and it seemed fine. Got out onto the highway and noticed it slipping/lagging again upon accel. Drove about 10 minutes and then added more fluid slowly after sitting for another 15 in neutral. Reached just below the "ok" line so i added small amounts until it hit the middle.

Drove to work this morning with no problems although it did hesitate from first to second upon acceleration one time. Got to work put it in neutral and sat idle for 15-16 minutes. Dip stick was quite hot, but not to the point of not being able to touch it and the fluid was a little above the max line. I wipe the whole dip stick clean and repeated 3 or 4 times with a consistent result. There may be 5 and 1/4 qts total after the pan drop. I have read somewhere that if it is overfull it can damage some of the seals. Is this true? Does it sound like i overfilled it? Should I be concerned with the excess heat or am i just being paranoid? Thank you for any replies.

 

yes overfilling can cause damage to it... when you check the fluid make sure its hot, running in neutral and on a lever surface... before putting it in neutral make sure to run it though all the gears (R,D,2,1) for atleast 3-4 secs..

Heat is a auto transmissions enemy... Do you have the OEM trans cooler? mine came without it and i added it. I also added a transmission temp gauge so i can monitor the temp while driving.. they can be added for around $30 if you wanna do the same... I am working on a write up as we speak on how to add one if you need help.

 

Yep 15 minute idle, neutral, level surface every time i check, although I don't let it sit in each gear, but i'll start doing that. I would feel better with the trans temp gauge. I'll do a search for the write up whenever you are finished with it.

I feel good about the transmission now. I went back at lunch and checked the level again after sitting for 15 in neutral and it was just above the middle of the ok line consistently. I'll check again every day until the end of the week just to be sure. Oh and I took my battery cables off last night and let it sit overnight to see if it would improve the shifting and it seemed to make things slightly smoother. Now I have to mess with the TV/shift cable to adjust the shift points.

 

Here is the link to my thread ~> https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...emp-gauge.html

Yeah running it though all the selections allows the fluid to get into all possible areas. I dunno if you know it but, these transmissions are built to not flow fluid in park, that's part of the reason it has to be in neutral.

 

I did not know that. Thank you for the info you have been very helpful. All seems well with my transmission now and I am very relieved. I'll continue to check it for a while and keep an eye on it and the trans temp gauge should help too! Thanks again!

 

There is a mod out there you could do that would allow it to flow in park as well but i can't for the life of me find the thread. I personally never bothered as i always just set the parking brake really good and popped it into neutral. Some say its good to let a vehicle "warm up" others say its just a waste of fuel. I asked an old timer mechanic i know once on his take on it and he tells me that letting it idle 3-5 min on a really cold morning dos help the fluid flow a bit better. but beyond the 3-5 mins your just wasting fuel.

 

I'll keep that in mind for next time i check it (probably tomorrow). I checked it after letting it sit at idle and switching through the gears a few times then back into neutral. The line was at the bottom of the ok line and I added another half a court which put it a little above the middle of the ok line. So that makes SIX not five, but SIX qts. Everywhere I have searched everyone has said 5 qts. That wouldn't be enough fluid and your transmission would eventually fail. Good thing I did my own research and had help from you or i would be without a vehicle again with a full time job and full time school. Thanks again I really appreciate it.