My transmission is acting weird
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Joined: Sep 2005
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My transmission is acting weird
My transmission has been acting really weird for a while. Here's a rundown:
If I shift into drive within about 5 seconds of starting, it wants to stick in first gear. Also, when it's cold outside (wintertime), I have to sit there and let it warm up for nearly ten minutes or it will act the same way. Now when this happens, the only way I can get it out is to completely shut off the engine, sit for about 15 seconds, restart and let it idle for a little while (depending on how cold it is).
When given time to idle (and warmup in the winter) it will drive alright, but it won't go down into 1st gear. So starting from a dead stop I'm in 2nd gear, which is absolute murder on my mileage. It also seems to want to hang on to 2nd gear a little long sometimes, going as high as 45mph or so until it finally shifts.
I've tried manually shifting down into my towing gears to try to get it to go down into first gear, but it still starts off like I'm towing a boat all the time.
Anyone else ever had or heard of anything like this?
I figure I'll end up at the transmission shop whenever I get a little extra cash, but maybe someone else might have some idea of what I'm looking at here and give me some glimmer of hope that this might be something relatively simple and not something I'm going to have to drop a grand on.
If I shift into drive within about 5 seconds of starting, it wants to stick in first gear. Also, when it's cold outside (wintertime), I have to sit there and let it warm up for nearly ten minutes or it will act the same way. Now when this happens, the only way I can get it out is to completely shut off the engine, sit for about 15 seconds, restart and let it idle for a little while (depending on how cold it is).
When given time to idle (and warmup in the winter) it will drive alright, but it won't go down into 1st gear. So starting from a dead stop I'm in 2nd gear, which is absolute murder on my mileage. It also seems to want to hang on to 2nd gear a little long sometimes, going as high as 45mph or so until it finally shifts.
I've tried manually shifting down into my towing gears to try to get it to go down into first gear, but it still starts off like I'm towing a boat all the time.
Anyone else ever had or heard of anything like this?
I figure I'll end up at the transmission shop whenever I get a little extra cash, but maybe someone else might have some idea of what I'm looking at here and give me some glimmer of hope that this might be something relatively simple and not something I'm going to have to drop a grand on.
RE: My transmission is acting weird
Try changing out the transmission output sensor that is located toward the rear of the transmission. Also, might as well change out the rear output sensor that is located on the rear axle.
Transmission output sensor costs around $25
Rear Axle sensor costs around $50
This price quote is from dealer. You can change these sensors yourself if you have some basic knowhow. For some reason, if you have a 2000 model Durango, it is dealer only item. I cannot find these parts for a 2000 from Autozone, Carquest, NAPA, etc.... very wierd. they have these sensors for other year models but not the 2000.
If neither of these fixes your problem, most likely your transmission governor actuator switches may be shot? Is your check engine light on? This happened to me. Check engine light came on, but I was locked down on 1st gear. I had to very briefly WOT to force the tranny to upshift to 2nd so I can limp it back to the dealer. During that time, it was under warranty and that's what they found.
Transmission output sensor costs around $25
Rear Axle sensor costs around $50
This price quote is from dealer. You can change these sensors yourself if you have some basic knowhow. For some reason, if you have a 2000 model Durango, it is dealer only item. I cannot find these parts for a 2000 from Autozone, Carquest, NAPA, etc.... very wierd. they have these sensors for other year models but not the 2000.
If neither of these fixes your problem, most likely your transmission governor actuator switches may be shot? Is your check engine light on? This happened to me. Check engine light came on, but I was locked down on 1st gear. I had to very briefly WOT to force the tranny to upshift to 2nd so I can limp it back to the dealer. During that time, it was under warranty and that's what they found.
