Good day, i had a some questions for the community on here to see what they thought. I have a 2006 Dodge Dakota Laramie 4x4 was driving along and here is what happened: All forward moment is no longer and when in any forward gears the transmission overtemp light on dashboard lights up. However the light goes out when shifted into reverse. And reverse is the only gear that currently works.

So after watching some youtube videos, reading the shop manual that i have from this site, and talking with family and friends. Here is what i am thinking and i wanted to see if the rest of the dodge community would agree or disagree.

So since the truck at least has reverse i would say that the torque convert and associated stuff between the engine and transmission is ok. (agree or disagree)

If you disagree please tell me why you think it is not ok.

Because it goes into reverse i would assume that maybe all the gears and such in the transmission are ok. (again agree or disagree)

And since it is generally agreed on that the solonoid shift block does all the electronic shifting and allegedly supplies the transmission overtemp (that is if i correctly understand the information in the manual) then it could be very simply put that this module is the culprit as to why the truck has no forward gears and the transmission overtemp light comes on when in one of the forward gears. Would you agree or disagree with this?

The only reason i am asking is because the dodge dealer i took the truck to is dragging their feet and of course i dont want to get over charged i just want my truck fixed and returned. Ever since covid 19 a lot of places still have long wait time unless you want to pay emergency fees. And this does not constitute an emergency as of yet i just like my truck.

I dont think it is the transmission fluid because that and the filers were changed not long before this happened and the fluids still appear to be nice and clear, no dirty color and does not seem to be any metal pieces. Which is why i can only assume that the gears are ok and this it is this basically hydrolic valve assy that is the culprit.

Would like to hear what others think.

Thank you for your time

 

first question, V6 or V8? because those are different transmissions.

But it is similar to an issue i had with mine. The way automatic transmissions works is with a set of planetary gears and clutches that activate one or another gear. Mine had an issue where the reverse band clutch stopped engaging the reverse planetary gear. The transmission shop said that all my forward gears looked perfect but the reverse band clutch was crazily worn. The dodge dealer said that i abused my truck causing that damage but i have never abused my truck... well, in reverse anyways. Their statement of abuse also made it not be covered under the warranty which i still had at the time. I have done some burnouts with it in first gear, before i had changed my tires to my AT tires. Being accused of abuse without any proof other then a worn band clutch (no burned smell in the fluid, fluid in normal condition for the mileage, forward gears in perfect shape).

that's the only reason i got rid of my dakota, not for the truck itself but for how the dealer handled the situation.

 

Sorry i thought i put that information in the orig post so here is the extra data

The engine is 4.7 V8
the transmission according to the mopar site is a 545RFE

 

the 545RFE is much stronger then the one in the V6 (you can also find the same transmission behind the hemi). but it works in the same way.

So, either you have a horrible failure of the clutches, or the shift solenoids, or the gears, or... or.. or...

honestly, many dealers don't have transmission guys anymore. a proper transmission shop can either quote you the fix, or will quote you a replacement.