Hello, I have a 2003 Dakota with the 4.7 engine and 125,000 mile on it. After the truck sits for two days and I start it up, when I put it into drive or reverse...the transmission doesn't engage for about 10 seconds. After that it's fine the rest of the day. Anyone knows what's wrong with it? Tx

 

Hi Mike,

The torque converter is draining back.

TSB NUMBER: 21-015-05 9/1/2005

"A/T - 45RFE/545RFE Delayed Engagement After Filter R&R"

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves a transmission delayed shift condition that may occur following the replacement of the internal cooler return filter.

MODELS:

2000 - 2004 (AN) Dakota

2000 - 2003 (DN) Durango

2003 - 2006 (DR) Ram Truck

2004 - 2006 (HB) Durango

2002 - 2006 (KJ) Liberty

1999 - 2004 (WJ/WG) Grand Cherokee

2005 - 2006 (WK/WH) Grand Cherokee

2006 (XK) Commander

NOTE : This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 45RFE or a 545RFE automatic transmission (sales code DG4 or DGQ respectively).

DISCUSSION:

The customer may experience an initial delayed shift engagement following an extended off (not running) period of time, generally after being parked overnight. The initial shift engagement may feel like a delay or slip when a transmission gear (reverse or drive) is first selected after engine start.

The customer may not have experienced the delayed shift engagement until after the transmission has been serviced, where the cooler return filter was replaced during the service and/or repair.

The condition is not detrimental to the transmission but may cause concern with the customer.

The above condition may be caused by a suspect cooler return filter a part number of 04799662AB. This "AB" suffix / level filter may allow transmission fluid to drain back out of the torque converter. The drain back condition may occur over a period time when the engine (and transmission) are not running. With less fluid in the torque converter a delay in gear engagement may occur at engine start up while the torque converter fills to its proper fluid level.

All 04799662AB cooler return filters with the "AB" suffix are suspect. The above condition may be corrected by replacing a suspect "AB" filter with a new cooler return filter whose part number is 04799662 (with no suffix or with a suffix that is other than the "AB" level).
NOTE :The cooler return filter, p/n 04799662, will not be available until September 09, 2005. The filter part number is stenciled on the side of the filter case.

 

Thanks very much...I had the transmission drained and flushed at 80,000 miles, don't remember when this started but I'm getting ready to change the filters and fuild soon.

 

I just changed the transmission fluid and filters (02 Dak Quad 4x4 4.7L). Everything went well drove around for 10 minutes came back rechecked the fluid and realized I over filled..siphon the excess ATF out and now my truck will NOT shift into gear!!! What do I do?

 

How over full was it? Maybe it foamed up.

Let it sit for a bit and see what happens. The other possibility, sometimes the filters don't fit right, you get an air leak, and then it won't engage. Maybe overfilling it "masked" that.

 

I forgot to mention I have an 02 Dakota quad 4x4 with 4.7L and 125K. I am embarrassed to admit this but it was approximately 3+ qts. Now when I check the level while ATF is hot its perfect (between "hot" holes) where before it went up to the "indentation / bent" portion of the dip stick....

 

3 quarts?

It probably is foamed up. Try cycling the shifter through the gears, slowly.

No CEL? I'm wondering if the tranny is throwing any codes.

 

I've tried the cycling (10 seconds per gear) when shifting its smooth, there is an increase of RPMs but I cant "feel" the transmission shifting. When it it to R-D it still does not catch even after 10 minutes of idling.......Yes I feel like a complete moron with the excess ATF had a complete brain-lock! No excuses!

I haven't seen the check engine light come on to signify any code alerts. What is CEL?

 

CEL, check engine light.

What brand of filters did you use. Did they look identical?

If you didn't use Mopar filters I would drop the pan and replace them.

The seals on some aftermarket filters just aren't any good, you get air in the system and it won't move. Overfilling it by 3 quarts probably masked that.

 

would I need to replace both filters or just the screw on (the one that looks like an oil filter)? I purchased after market from Auto-Parts.com ...supposedly they were exact fits!! Guess I need to go to dealership...

I replaced the gear oil today too was only able to put in 3qts before it started to flow out of the "plug hole"...thought I read somewhere that the rear took 2.25 and front 1.75! My calculations make that 4qts!....any info on this?