I neeed a suggestion or any help directing me. Im not even sure if this is the right place to post this.

My dodge dakota abuot 3 weeks ago started to not switch gears after I got to about 40-45K/hour. Then it stopped.
I have had a tranny service, and a friend who is good with motors smelled the fluid and said it wasnt burnt.
I know if I go to the dealer they will say I need a new transmission, but it is very inconsistent when it does this,Sometimes being okay to drive for a week and a half or so, then all of a sudden, It just wont gear down. Is there something small (PCV Valve?) I may be missing so I don't get hosed at the dealer? ( I have 177.000 on it, and get oil changed every 4 weeks. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards for any Ideas in advance, in Gratitude

Brian in Canada

 

Could be the TV cable. There is a cable attached to the TB on the passenger side that runs to the transmission. If you unhook it and the plastic part that attaches to the TB is not in line with the button it attaches to, then it needs adjusted. To adjust it there is a retainer clip on the cable behind the bracket that holds it. Take the retainer clip off, pull on the TV cable until the plastic end is in line with the button it attaches to on the TB and put the retainer clip back on. If this is the problem, this will fix it. Not sure if that is your problem, but just a suggestion.

 

wont shift or switch? im assuming its an auto. is there a check engine light on? Burnt fluid huh? if thats the case the fluid got way to hot from too much friction. Could mean somethings screwed up in the tranny, which in most cases it probably is. I bet you could find a used tranny for a couple hundred.

 

he said the fluid wasn't burnt. bludak, i think you are on the right track. however, 6941314B, have you simply checked fluid levels? be sure to check them in the appropriate manner. i believe it is in neutral, running after you cycle through all of the gears. be sure that your fluid level is correct, as this minor detail can cause major problems.