Greetings, I'm a newly forum registered owner of a 2007 Dakota quad cab 4x4 ST. The truck had 9000 miles when I bought it in July...now we're at 20,000. No problems prior to today. When I left work for home,automatic tranny wouldn't shift out of first gear. After several miles, I checked fluid level and it was fine. So I drove a couple more miles, still in first, to a friends home and parked it 20 minutes. When I left, it shifted normally as I completed my 35 mile commute.

Following the K.I.S.S. principle, I'll try new filter/fluid tomorrow. If anyone has suggestions or info, it's greatly appreciated.
Drahthaar

 

While the time it was only operating in 1st, was your rpm's higher than usual or normal? Could be a shift solenoid problem.

Hopefully not though.

 

good news warranty you have is still in effect!

 

is there a check engine light on?'

 

Are you sure it was in first or was it in second? Driving around anywhere in first gear sounds dangerous with the high revs you would have to do just to go 30mph. Any time these trannies have a problem, normally by default it will kick you in to 2nd which is part of LIMP mode. I would check for any codes, even if you dont have an engine light normally something should show up.

 

Not sure if first or second but rpm very high...4000 @ 45mph. Thanks

 

I'm guessing you have 3.92 gears so that would make sense that you were in 2nd gear. Its a very good thing that you were in limp mode; it prevents damage to the tranny. If it would have been stuck in first, you may have had worse problems. Check your dtcs. If you don't have a reader, most auto parts stores will read your truck for free. If it went in to limp, there will be a code. My truck went in to limp once and I cleared the dtcs and I never got another problem. Disconnecting the battery will also reset your dtcs. My dtc read as a solenoid circuit error. 10k miles later and the code hasn't come back. Sometimes these trucks just need their tampon changed or they get all pissy. Keep us updated!

 

lol nice visual!