I'm not sure if this is a problem or not. 2001 dakota v6 and I forget which automatic transmission it has. The issue I've noticed is that often when the engine and transmission are both cold, it sounds as though the transmission is in a super low gear when I first start out in first gear. After the shift to second everything is fine and after that when starting from a stop in 1st everything is normal. Any ideas why it would do this?

 

Are you sure you're not hearing the fan?

 

Not sure but I don't think so. It happens when the engine isn't even at normal operating temperature. It's kinda weird. There doesn't seem to be any slippage or anything, just seems to be in an extra low gear or something. Could shrunken internal seals cause this?

 

When cold the clutch fan can ROAR very loud. After a short period of time it will quiet down.

Watch the tach when it does this and compare it to when it is not.

 

Didn`t know there was such a thing but that sounds to me like that could be it. Is this a normal condition?

 

Yes, it's normal when you first start up to have the clutch fan roar. Again, it should quiet down in a little bit. You may hear it again if the engine is getting very hot.