Newbie here, just got a 97 dakota that needs little work. Trans will not shift when put in drive but will shift manually. Takes off in 2nd and will shift to 3rd but not overdrive. Doesnt slip at all. I replaced the govenor pressure sensor and the other sensor next to it, changed filter and added fluid, still did not help. The gauges, radio and interior lights dont work. The overhead console has power but doesnt record anything. Pretty sure it is all kinda related in the elecronics some where. Bad ground or wire bad some where. Just need an idea of where to start?

 

Update! Went back to square one and tested all the fuses with a meter, before I had just checked them by eye. Found a bad one that was really hard to see but was bad. Now have guages, radio, and lights! No speedo and tranny still not shifting, has ABS, brake light and engine light on too. Did some research and looks like speed sensors need replacing and should take care of it.

 

You may need to replace the output sensor on the transmission and just guessing the ABS sensor on the rear axle too.

 

That is what i have heard also. Got a trans speed sensor, waiting on abs sensor.

 

well replaced output speed sensor on trans and abs speed sensor on rear, still have no speedo, engine light, abs light and brake light still on and trans will not shift on its own? sometimes will go into 1st by hand but most the time just 2nd to 3rd and no over drive. any ideas where to go next?

 

Update on the dakota, took it to a friend of mine who has a trans shop. he cleared the codes and started it up and it threw codes as soon as it started. He found a bad connection in a wire to the trans. Now just gotta get speedo working. He thinks it is the same type of issue with a wire. At least can drive it now. Thanks for the replies.