Hey guys. New to the Forum. Just got my '04 DAK Club Cab 3.7 V-6 4x4 last week...used with 30K on it.

Since I got it, I have had it in the shop twice...the 2nd time is today. I took it to the local Dodge Dealership the 1st time and this time it is at a transmission shop. Here's the deal:

1) Hard Shift. She shifts hard when trying to pass on the highway or trying to maintain cruise control.
2) Cruise control. Set it at 65 and it will drop to 55 before dropping 2 gears, high rev, then it won't let out until 75 mph. Then the cycle starts all over again. On flat roads, shes ok, but I live in PA...no flat roads here.
3) No Power. From what I read, this is a 210 hp, 235 ftlb torque. I was pulling an empty 12 ft. U-Haul trailer the other day, merging into traffic, got through 1st gear, but 2nd gear got to 4k rpm and would not increase or let out until I got to the top of the hill. It wasn't that bad of a hill either. Even when driving on the highway normally, it feels like a 4 banger...Power-Wise.

Dealership: There was a computer update (hope it isn't Vista!!!). They did the update and I paid them to change the fluid and filter. 30k service. There is a TSB about 4th gear judder...I have it but they say NO. If they would have fixed it, I wouldn't have had to pay the $144.00 for the fluid and filter change. So anyway, they did the software update and the fluid change and she drove like a completely different truck. I enjoyed it. 3 days later back to hard shifting.

Transmission Shop: Took it up there today via the dealer I bought it through. He called and said the transmission shop cleared the code for the fluid/filter change...Dodge didn't do it last week. Other than that, he test drove it 1st, checked it out, cleared the code and test drove it again and cannot find anything wrong with it.

I am 40 years old. This isn't my 1st Truck or Automatic transmission. It shifts and performs like a pig yet no one seems to be able to find anything wrong with it. I am beyond frustrated to say the least.

If anyone else has experienced the same issues or knows what I can tell the tranny guy to fix, I would appreciate it. I have to go pick it up tomorrow if he can't find something wrong with it and the way it is right now, she isn't any fun to drive. Any input or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks Guys!

Claw-

 

take the guy from the tranny shop on a ride along with you. maybe he drives differently than you. so if he goes along and it makes that noise then maybe he could figure out what it is.

 

I have a tranny problem myself. Not major, and its only when shifting into reverse, or into any gear when first started. When going into gear after the truck has been sitting for several hours (overnight, 8-hour work day, etc), there is hesitation before it "engages". I see the same hesitation just about anytime I shift into reverse. I also often get some kind of quick grating or grinding noise which makes me think of a mount moving a bit under torque (kind of like threads on a bolt rubbing against the edge of a steel panel, or similar sound, but more solid). I also get a roughly similar sound when I make a sharp turn into a fairly sharp grade or ground height shift, but it doesnt seem to come from the exact same location. Both sounds seem to come from the front area of the truck, but the tranny noise can also seem to come from the center or even towards the rear.

 

My guess would be a TV cable or needs a band adjustment, but with that many miles only i wouldn't be too sure on it. And It probably doesn't have a tv cable but probably electric.

I have a 97 3.9L and the tranny shifts a bit weird until it warms up so not sure.