I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad cab pickup. It is a 5 speed auto.Twicw in that last few days when getting to highway speeds, and after a few minutes, the transmission drops from 5th to 4th AND when it does that and you want to leave stop sign it stays in 4th. Have to pull over and "start again". Of course on the highway in 4th is probably not a good thing because it runs at about 3500 rpm. I have had the vehicle since it was new (now has 140Kms -85,000mi) and have had no issues other than the premature death of both tie rod ends.
Any ideas

 

Rockyboy,

Does this happen all of the time or is it intermittent? Do you recognize a pattern when it occurs? If you are currently having concerns and seeking additional assistance feel free to PM for further review.

 

when, if ever has the fluid and filters been changed, I too have an 05 with 133000 miles on it, every 30000 to 40000 miles I have the fluid and filters changed. depending on your driving habits, a simple fluid and filter change may cure your problems

 

Than you so much for responding. The vehicle drops from 5th to 4th after 1-5 minutes every time. If I hit the "tow switch", the gear does not change and the revs are in the 3500 range at 120kms / hr. You can feel a slight rumble when this happens. When that occurs, and you have to stop, then leave a light for instance, it is definately not in first gear. it feels like second or third. If I pull off and then stop the truck, first gear reappears and all lof the normal shifting occurs while accelerating or decelerating normally until you get back to 5th. The truck is way past due for a flush/filter/fluid change too.

 

Sounds like it's in "limp mode". Any CELs?

 

THanks for the response.Yeah limp mode sounds about right. What do you mean by CELS. If you mean warning lights, yes.....the service engibe soon light comes on when this happens. I disconnected the battery to reset the electronics as my experience with this vehicles and the 4 consecutive Blazers that I owned previousis that sometimes there is a glitch and the light comes on then, once off, the event falls into the "mystery" category. I am tending towards it maybe being the speed sensor which I believe is mounted on the side of the transmission although I can't seem to find it.

Thanks again

 

CEL is 'Check Engine Light'. Disconnecting the battery will make the CEL go away temporarily. So the first step is to hook up a OBDII scanner and find out what the code is. Throwing parts at it is not the best approach. If you don't have a scanner, go to a local auto parts store and use their scanner.

 

Definitely start here since you are past do... and then scan it. That speed sensor would throw a cel, but many other things could too.

 

My transmission went bad @ 68K miles, great trucks!

 

Well Rickyboy20 finally found out what was causing the problem. After much soul searching and research I took the truck to a local transmission shop that was recommended. After telling them that I was not one to trust the shops, they proved me wrong. The issue was something called a reverse velocity solenoid. You have to open the transmission to remove an integrated kind of box full of these "solenoids". The part cost $600 and of course, due to opening the transmission, the fluids and both folters were changed. The whole hit was just over $1,000. As one responder mentioned: "great trucks". However, I do have a freind with a 2000 BMW and his hit was 10,000 so, I guess. I am based in Western Canada and if anyone would like to know what shop I took it to, just ask. I was quite impressed.