Hello everyone, i'm new here. i have a 1998 dodge dakota SLT 3.9l V6.
I Found out that i have no overdrive, It gets to 45-50, (when it shifts to 4th gear) it will drop rpms about 200, and then go up. not engaging the overdrive.
The button on the shifter lights up (Showing that its turning overdrive on and off) and my rpms will jump about 200-300, but it never engages.
I've done alot of searching and found out it could be some sort of solenoids, but i want a second opinion.

And my oil pressure is kinda high. Not maxed out. but about 3/4 of the way up. it drops to normal when driving slow or stopped. but when going 30+ its 3/4 way high. is this a result of the no overdrive? or something else?

Any input would be greatful. thanks.

 

oil pressure if normal. Are you running 10w30 or 10w40? The latter will bump your oil pressure up a bit, but oil pressure is always a function of engine RPM.

The overdrive unit is completely separate from the slushbox, and thus can be serviced separately. It is controlled by it's own solenoid.

 

For the oil pressure, don't rely on the gauge in the cluster. They are notoriously inaccurate. Put a mechanical gauge on it and see what you actually have for pressure.

On the overdrive, clarify what you mean please. You say the button lights up as you toggle it and the rpm's change. How do you know it's not working? If you're going say 60 what are the rpm's with it on and off?

 

ok, let me explain better sorry.

Going down the road. i will hit about 45mph. my rpms will be about 2200, when it (attempts) to go into overdrive. my rpms will drop to 2000, then climb back up. at 55mph my rpms are at 2500 solid.
And as i toggle the switch, the light goes on and off, and my rpms bounce from 2500 to 2300 then back to 2500, no matter if i turn it on or off.

 

So the indicator light goes on and RPM's reduce to 2300 when you press the button and goes off and increase back to 2500 when you release it?

 

yes, say i was at 2500 rpm. i hit the button, it will drop to 2300 and then rise back up to 2500.

 

So it goes into overdrive and then comes out, by itself?

 

What does it do if you hold the button down, for say 5 or 10 or 15 seconds? Does it instantly come back out of OD, or does it wait until you let go of the button?

 

Never tried to hold it down, But yes, it instantly comes back out of o'd.

Like i said, rpms go down about 200, then rises back up.

 

I need to know what it does when you hold it down for several (7-10) seconds. If it comes back out while holding it down, it's transmission/solenoid related. If it does it after you let go, then it's PCM related.