Check the cooling lines. If trans fluid gets too hot, it will diable the OD. Make sure you get flow through cooler. I would also suggest adding an external cooler in front of radiator if you don't have one. High temp of fluid wurns it to varnish and can damage transmission. Suggest changing fluid and filter also.

 

well i think the trans is toast i mentioned i drove it home the other night about 20 miles and had no problems. i haven't touched it since then today i decided to take it for a 3 mile round trip to harbor freight just to see if it would act up and act up it did! was cruising at about 40 when the tach jumped up to 4 grand! second and first seem ok above that forget it. reverse works too guess i look up reman transmissions. at least it's an easier job then the front axle seal it needs. opinions welcome do ya'll think it's toast?
Dave

 

It's a good excuse to buy a PATC Mega Viper. But of course I'll always say that. Leaky pan gasket? Mega Viper. Misadjusted throttle valve? Mega Viper. Half a pint low on fluid? Mega Viper.

It's probably not worth messing with, BUT: I'd do the check valve delete straight away just to see what happens. I wouldn't mess with fluid, filter, band adjustment, or any of that crap, but I'd do the check valve delete because when that mufker gums up and kills off cooling oil flow it causes what you've described. It's probably too late, but I'd do that anyway.

Then I'd buy a Mega Viper.

 

Unregisterd, would you buy a Mega Viper?

 

I think he has one

 

i'll do the check valve thing nothing to lose i guess. i don't own it (yet) then maybe a mega viper lol. kinda feel stupid now but i figured ok in 20 miles ar highway speeds why wait till the wife gets home with the durango i'm just going down the road. ugh.
just curious does my 99 durango have one of these check valves too? that has 144,000 on it, figured i'll do it now if it does.
Dave

 

Ya know, I just might.


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If the one I've got dies before I do.

 

Will you put it in your will that the Viper goes to me? heehee.....

 

That's exactly why I'd do it. It's gotta go one way or another. If it does bring the transmission back to life, then you'll want to follow up with a full fluid change, filter, band adjust, and so on. Once the idiot light comes on it's too late for a normal change of just what falls out when you drop the pan because the light doesn't come on until after the temperature at which varnish forms.

I believe it came with one from the factory. The sure way to know is to take a peek. If it's there, make it go away. Put a remote filter in its place and you get not only a superior filtration system, but one that also comes with a check valve to prevent torque converter drainback. Win/win.

 

Last I heard, both the eldest grandson and the eldest granddaughter wanted it. I'm still planning on making them wait. Gotta keep an eye on the boy -- he just got his license and I'd rather he doesn't angle for an early inheritance. Not that he's that way or anything, but the kid does live in Arizona which seems to make people crazy.