My Dakota is a 99 with 64k miles on it. My problem is that when the truck is first driven it shifts from 1st to 2nd fine but it hesitates to shift from 2nd to 3rd. From 2nd to 3rd it will rev up and stay up then when it shifts it's not smooth. To get it to shift sooner I have to either punch on the gas or let off on it. When I drive it for awhile the problem goes away. I read somewhere that it could be my throttle position sensor, so I changed it out and I still have the problem. Should I flush my tranny fluid and do a filter and fluid change? If anyone else has had this problem please help me out, I really don't want to rebuilt the tranny. Do you guys think that having 33's on with the stock gears could have screwed it up? Thanks for your time.

 

im currently having the same problem with my 97 3.9 auto. i adjusted the tv cable and im going to change out some sensors. governor pressure sensor and solenoid. they say its a common problem and easy fix. i got my parts from napa.

 

no i don't think its the tires, when was your last fluid flush/change? what does your fluid looksmell like wipe it on a white paper towel, get a test kit if your really ambisious...could be about 20 different things...

 

I would check the level on the dip stick for the transmission, also pull the pan off and adjust the front band. Measure 3/4" distance on the front band the front band might be too tight when it is cold and causing second gear to stick in place.

Chris

 

maybe it is the throttle body spacer hehe............just kidding [sm=bounceybounce.gif]

 

how high i got the same problem. i got a 98 3.9L and it really only does it when its cold but once it warms up it seems to go away.

 

is the fluid full dumb problem but Ive heard of it happening, if so where is your fluid going...

 

Im having the same issues and check engine codes leaning towards the governor pressure sensor and silenoid not working properly. it started out with occasional lazy shifts and now sometimes it takes forever to shift. oh while your in there do the fluid/filter/gasket too[sm=signs003.gif]

 

Hi. Had the same problem on my -98 2500 after a total rebuild of the transmission. Took it back to the shop, and they found that one of the valves was cloged with particles from the new bands or lock up cluch. They showed me the valve, and it looked like it hade som kind of mesh filter in front. This filter was cloged. They replaced the valve, and all problems gone.

 

Does it affect reverse engagement too? If so it might be the direct drive pressure seal.The guy that rebuilt mine says its a common problem with the auto trans, and most times its miss-diagnosed as sensor problems. By the time I got done replacing sensors, fluid changes, and cooler I had smoked the clutch packs and had to pay for a complete rebuild = 2200 bucks.