I have just had my transmission replaced on a 1997 Dakota, because the last one burnt up due to the fluid lines clogged, just days after I bought it from a used car dealer. It has a 6 month warranty on the drivetrain though, which is how I got it replaced. The trans shop put a used tranny in, and it works, but at low speed it switches in and out of 1st and 2nd gear until I slow down to idle or speed up. And, of course the trans shop told me to bring it to the dealer I got it from and have them repair it; they said it may be the TPS switch (I assume this is the throttle position sensor). Anyone ever had this problem, and anyone think replacing the throttle position sensor may fix it?

 

I'll asume this is a A/T?

Go to the ALLPAR website; there is alot of good information about the care and feeding of MOPAR trans.

Absouletly.positively MOPAR's must have the correct fluid as called for in the owners manual.

Many problems are caused by using the incorrect fluid.....

 

What engine do you have? What transmission? I think I have this same "problem" with my 1996 Dakota 4x4 V6 with the 42RE.
When I accelerate very lightly, and at low speeds, mine doesn't seem to be able to "pick" 1st or 2nd gear (only when accelerating slowly, and only at a certain speed, but I couldn't tell you what speed).
As far as a fix, I don't know. I've never looked in to fixing it, but, if you find anything out, post back.

 

Not sure if this applies to you but my last Dakota was a 2003 SXT 3.9L and it was doing that right after I got like 10k on it took it to the dealer the first time, no codes nothing.......2 weeks later it did it and I punched the gas right when it did it this caused the truck to lock into 2nd known as "limp mode" something the trans does to keep from blowing up when it malfunctions.....took it to the dealer, it through a code for a shift sensor inside the transmission.....they replaced it and I never had another problem, I traded it in at 37K

 

i was worried that the dakota tranny was just as bad as the rams. the tranny blew on my ram thats why i bought this dakota, but then i was told it has the same crappy 46re tranny. i'm going to install the tranny cooler and hope it prolongs thee life a little bit longer.