Hi all new to the forum and need some help. I have a 97 4WD Dakota with a 5.2 and a 44RE transmission. When I first put the truck into reverse it does not move. I can hear and feel it go into reverse but it just sits there like it is in neutral. After several minutes it will finally start to move, usually after giving a little gas and with a loud clunk. If I rev it up a little it will not take as long but it goes in really hard. After I have driven it around and everything has warmed up it will go into reverse almost immediately although sometimes it will delay a second or two and go in with a quieter clunk. I have drained the fluid, put in a new filter, adjusted the rear bands and replaced the output speed sensor. I don't know much about transmissions and would greatly appreciate any advice that you can give me.

 

Sounds like a front pump issue. When its cold the fluid is thicker and it sounds like it is having trouble pushing the fluid.

 

This morning it was colder than it has been the past week and it would not go into reverse at all. I had to push it out of the driveway. On the way to work it started slipping in drive. when I got to work, put it in reverse and it went in smooth with no problems.

 

Mine used to always go into reverse but it did clunk in after sitting a day or so. If it has been sitting awhile before I leave Ill shift it into N and keep it in for about 10 sec and that seems to work and keeps it from clunking in.

 

definatly sounds like a pump issue. since reverse requires a higher line pressure. damn dodge automatics.

 

Years ago I had parked a Dodge with a 727 torqueflite for an extended period of time. After getting it back on the road it had this exact problem. A buddy of mine who had extensive knowledge of transmissions told me that it was a governor sticking because of varnish. He told me to wait for it to finally engage reverse and when it did to floor it for half a block (in reverse), then drive forward and repeat 3 or 4 times. The problem went away instantly afterwards. Any time after that when it occurred I just followed the same procedure and it worked every time.


Worth a try. Aren't these just a derivative of the old 727?

 

The majority of folks on here and one guy at work have said it was the pump. I have also noticed that on a couple of occasions during a hard left turn it has acted strange, sliping or something. I've read that is an indication of fluid being low , but I have triple checked and the fluid is right on the money. Would the pump also be causing this?