This is for a 2001 Dodge Dakota extended cab with a V6, 85000 miles

So for about a month now I've been dealing some transmission issues.

On occasion when coming to a complete stop the transmission doesn't downshift to first. It seems when this happens I am in second and can manually downshift it back to first.

When driving on the highway 50 mph +, if I push the pedal to the floor, 50% of the time the transmission won't downshift unless I really smash the accelerator.

I've also noticed when doing about 30 mph + I will hear a loud thump from the transmission area and the engine really bogs down leaving me unable to accelerate at all. It almost feels like the converter is locking up, but the noise is much louder and I can feel a pretty hard jolt. eventually it recovers and everything seems normal again.

I've changed the transmission fluid/filter and checked the TV cable. Neither of these things helped. I checked the transmission end of the cable and the spring seems like it could be a little stiffer, but that is merely speculation.

Looking for any other ideas or direction.

Thanks

 

I think I have temporarily fixed the downshift issue by adjusting the TV cable about 1/8" in form the center location. There hasn't been and issues with doenshifting when accelrating or coming to a stop.

However, I am still getting the loud thumping noise from the transmission area. It seems like its three hard jolts and then the engine bogs down eventually recovering.

Any ideas?

 

check your fluid level. and these like to be on the higher level on the area.

 

Fluid level is good and on the higher end.
I would think the problem I'm having would not just be a fluid level issue, but something internal (aside from the fluid level) to the transmission...