Hello, been here a while but don't really post often.

I bought a 2008 Dakota SXT from the company I work at for $500, and drove it home. Since it was a service truck it has high mileage (225,000km) and interior is dirty, but everything was maintained pretty well.

Right now, it will not go past 2nd gear in drive and will start slipping as it tries to go to 3rd. It only does this in drive, if it's in 2, it drives fine within first and second gear. This occurred 2 weeks ago, and immediately after it happened it was taken to the company shop on a flatbed, and no attempts to drive it after that. I drove it home in 2nd gear going at most 65-70km/h (2700-2900rpm).

If it's what I think it is (Accumulator plate bent), does anyone know how I would determine what transmission I have? I cannot find any build sheet in the vehicle.

-Shawn

 

Sounds like it is in limp mode. Check engine light on?

You can get your build sheet here:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ild-sheet.html

Also moving this to the tech section. It belongs there and will get more visibility.

 

Yep I filled that out and sent it in, still waiting on reply.

If I try and drive it in Drive it will try to shift to 3rd, then when it tries to go to 3rd and starts slipping a CEL will pop, P0733 - Incorrect 3rd gear ratio. I cleared codes and it goes fine when in 2 only, and will not pop a code unless it's put in drive above 40km/h.

 

From what I've read, the TPS may be at fault.

"P0733: This is a trany fault code and the first thing you should check is your tps sensor using your DVOM meter. Measuring the voltages between idle and WOT (wide open throttle), there should be no interruption in the reading (or glitches). Otherwise, it can play havoc to your shifting cycles which can cause this code P0733. If there are glitches, replace the tps sensor right away and reset the code. If trany is suspected, most common fix for this points to a defective valve body. To verify, it can be done by using a scanner which has the capacity to command the trany solenoids so it can be tested at various trany operating pressures."

I'd start with testing or and/or replacing the TPS. Check the easy things first. Also make sure your fluid level is good and the fluid is not burned. Here is another thread with the exact same problem but ended up being internal to the transmission.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...and-p0734.html

 

Shawn,

If you'd like to PM me your VIN#, I can email you the build sheet for your Dakota.

 

Thank you, I received the e-mail with my full build sheet this morning!

The transmission I have is a 42RLE. I'll try the TPS when I get out there.

 

Changed TPS, no difference. Guess I'm dropping the pan.

 

Fluid and filter, no difference. Anyone have anymore literature for these trucks/transmissions?

 

Check out the Repair Manual. It has the full tear down of the trans.