At random times, and I mean very random, the transmission heat indicator light comes on in the truck when I'm driving... I pull over, put it in neutral and rev the engine a bit, or stop the truck and turn it off and back on and it goes out. When I say very random, here is an example... I took my kids to DC for a day, 2 1/2 hour drive one way... no light came on all day down or all night back. No issues. i drive to work a week later, and at lunch went to the bank 2 miles down the road, the light comes on. Leave work, light comes on again. then it doesn't show up again for a week or two.

I checked the Tranny fluid yesterday and the fluid, according to the dip stick, is like 2 inches above the HOT indicator on the stick. Yes, the engine was hot. Yes, I was on a level surface, and Yes, I checked it while in neutral.

This is a 2005 Dakota with the tow package. I'm not having any issues with shifting and everything else seems fine with the Tranny. I last had the filters replaced around 75k miles (now has 125k miles).

I guess my questions are 1) why does that light keep coming on randomly, and 2) is my fluid levels really too full or is the fact that I have the tow package the reason why my levels are that high?

Thanks!

- Mo

 

Sounds like you only have an issue when your truck goes on short trips and the transmission fluid doesn't reach proper operating parameters..

 

Automatic transmissions are a dark magic secret to me. I can never get the correct reading on the dipstick. Hopefully someone will chime in.

 

I would take it to a couple (more than 1 is better, you'll have something to compare) of reputable transmission shops & have them do a quick inspection - they should do an inspection & quote for free.

 

Shoot, glad that im not the only one that happened to. (ah, not really)

I got my truck with 55000miles on it, and it started to do that very thing just before, about 500 - 1000 miles, before it rolled over to 80,000 miles, then it continued for a nother 500 miles or so. I could never get a good reading on my dipstick, and i checked it about every way possible. So I added 2 quarts of transmission fluid, and that didnt do a darn thing. After about a week or so, of thinkin and researchin, i decided to get dirty, and I droped the pan and replaced the filters and fluids. It seemed to fix it for a day or two, then it did it again about 3-4 times. I then disconnected the battery, and let it set over night, then reconnected the battery. It did it a few more times. I then decided that i will take it in for warranty work here in july (a month, kinda broke and cant afford the 100.00 warranty deductible) and see what the problem is. Then a week after that, it quit. Still gonna haul it to the dealer, (I got other problems also-shocks, auto door unlock wont re-activate after i disconnected the battery) and get er fixed.

I dont know if i answered any of your question in my rambling, but this is what i tried. I would, like others have mentioned, haul it to a transmission specialist, and have them diagnose it for you.

Good Luck

P.S. the truck seems to have issues with warning lights coming on at wierd intervals, cause my windshield washer fluid was low enough to activate that light on the dash, but it too came on at wierd intervals, and I knew that it was low and should have been activating a switch. So it could be a computer issue. Just food for thought

 

I have a 2005 Durango and mine was experiencing ALL of the same issues, and then some. The radio/CD changer wouldn't turn up or down, or even off. My air bag warning lights would randomly come on, sometimes just one side or the other, sometimes both, and sometimes would just go out while going down the road, others I would have to turn it off and crank back up. If I turned too sharp, like really tight and pulled wheel all the way to the left, it would just die. Like shut off in the middle of the highway once.

All of this was resolved with replacing the clock spring. Luckily, my husband is a mechanic and was working for a dealership that sold Durnagos and had seen this issue frequently, actually, with all of the Durnagos they brought in. I don't understand why it never made the recall, because involving the air bag and random shutting down is a dangerous thing.

I'm not sure if the Dakota has a clock spring, but I would check it out and see. If my husband wasn't familiar, we would've had it in the shop replacing all the sensors that were named above, hoses, air bag wiring systems, new radio/CD changer, the whole works.

The parts houses will tell you that it's a dealer item, the dealer will tell you it's a $150 part, but it isn't. You can buy it on eBay for $60. That's where I got mine, and no issues since! Good luck!

 

Good luck

 

Good luck

 

I have replaced the transmission temperature sensor 2 times, replaced the solenoid valves, solenoid pack, replaced the whole transmission and installed an after market cooler. My transmission temperature light is still coming on yet my engine is not overheating.

Does anybody have any insight? I've also done a coolant flush...

 

I have a 2006 Dodge Dakota with 225,000 miles. From roughy 100,000 to present I have the same problem with the random trans temp light coming on. Ive had a/the solenoid replaced a number of times and that seems to correct the problem for a few months, but it always comes back. A reliable mechanic that I use can find no problem outside the solenoid. His next door neighbor-a transmission repair man-suggested putting on an extra cooler but I think thats excessive. When the light comes on, I shut the motor off at a stoplight and restart. Temporary cure. The transmission does shift up and down rather rough though when the light comes on. I won't spent any more money on the vehicle as its paid for itself and will soon be retired because of age/mileage. For the most part, regular maintenance has been my only expense so I should be thankful!! Have a great day!!