I need advice from any mechanically inclined Dodge person out there. I have a 2001 Durango, and for the last couple of months when I drive at high speeds, the engine revvs up, like the RPM's go up but the speed does not increase. A friend of mine suggested I take it in and have the transmission filter changed and transmission oil changed because he said it sounds like it is slipping. The problem is, sad to say, I have no clue about cars, and it seems I take it in to get fixed for one thing, and something 10 times more drastic is supposedly wrong. I want to have a good base knowledge of what could be wrong so I don't get ripped off. Thanks in advance!

 

Ok here goes I don't know how well you know your truck or how mechanically inclined you are so I'm going to tell you what to do as if you know nothing about cars at all sorry if you do... warm up the truck to operating temp preferably after driving. Put on the e-brake put the truck in neutral pop the hood there will be a tube with a yellow handle that say transmission fluid sticking out on the left side in the back of the engine compartment (mine is yellow anyway). Pull it out wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel put it back in and then pull it out again it should be filled to the crosshatch areaif it is low you need to get the appropriate fuid to fill it to the appropriate level. You should contact your local dealership about what type of fluid to use or check these forums I know I've seen it in here somewhere I believe it is a pretty recent post. You should have your tranny flushed every 20,000 miles I think so if you haven't gotten that taken care of just do it and don't let the shop tell you that you have a problem unless they can show you right then and there. It might be a good idea to stand over them anyway. Hope this info helps.

 

Oh and I've found Midas to have honest mechanics but just use common sense when dealing with them.

 

When you properly check your trans fluid you should place it in all drive and reverse gearing for 2 seconds each to make sure there is no air bubbles. Start from park and move the shifter down through each gear, then all the way down and back up leaving it in each gear for 2 seconds. Then place it in neutral and check the fluid. Wipe it off first then stick it back in pull it out and read the dip stick. You want to do this at regular running temp. Don't do this at cold temp.

As for 20,000 mile flushes this is not needed. 30,000 mile intervals is good, but you should pull the trans pan and replace the filter and wipe the magnate clean of all debris. Flushing only replaces the fluid but doesn’t clean your filter. Replacing the filter is the only way. When replacing the gasket and pan back on use regular grease and a light amount at that, just enough to make a good seal. Then refill your trans to the recommended level using the approved fluid only.

As for your problem it sounds like your trans is not locking up to the engine properly and over reaving or slipping. Replace the fluid and filter now before you smoke your trans![sm=bangbang.gif]

 

Good post hydra I always do my own work I figured a flush included a filter change and all that.

 

A flush only replaces the fluid they don't touch the filter.

 

I just learned that the other day. Silly me thought they replaced the filter during a flush (good thing I do my own work!), and, they add a nice charge on to change the filter with a flush. (I'm going to be doing some work for my friends dad, and was getting some price quotes to compare "my" rate against "shops" rates)

After looking around at local auto parts stores, I find that ATF+4 is now available pretty much everywhere. The local AutoZone has Valvoline ATF+4 Fully Synthetic for $3.70 a quart (the local Advance Auto Parts has it for $4.70/quart). The local WalMart, of all places, carries Mopar ATF+4 for $4.50/quart.
ATF+4 is the only transmission fluid recommended on modern Chrysler transmissions, and can safely be used where ATF+3, ATF+2 and ATF is called for (but not vice-versa).

With regular service, these transmissions should last. Most problems are caused by people not doing transmission preventative maintenance (fluid and filter changes), and than b!tching about "crappy transmissions" when it's really a neglagent owner. (Imagine if you always go 3 times as long as you should on an oil change [or, never ever get an oil change]... of course your engine will have premature problems, its the same thing here!)

 

also check your (tv)cable or throttle valve cable it hooks (if your are facing motor)to the left side of the throttle body that cable is critical on how the trans shift if that cable is too tight it will cause the trans to down shift or disengage it should have just a little sag in it

 

Your problem with the RPMs jumping up and down is the rear axle speed sensor. It'll take you about 10 minutes to change and 5 of that'll be getting under there to do it. Part cost about $29. One bolt, one plug… 10 minutes. Saves big on going to the dealer.

As far as the trannsmission service, indeed that needs to kept up on about every 36,000 miles. HOWEVER!!! DO NOT HAVE IT FLUSHED. Our Durango transmissions do not like being flushed. Problems will certainly follow. If not the first time, the second, so on and so forth. Have the pan dropped, drained, replace the filter and put back together. Chrysler now recommends to go back in with ATF+4 fluid on any change going forward. While you are at it, had the diffs serviced too. The dealer will charge over $500 for all of this transmission/diff services. A transmission shop will be under $200.

IndyDurango