I recently purchase the Dakota above. It has reasonably low miles (141,000) for a truch it's age. Typical story (little old man drove it to church). I expected there would be some issues with the truck simply based on it's age and the increased use it would now see. Have did all the expected stuff like lube, brake pads, water pump etc.. but now I have something going on I'm not sure how to address. After about 30 miles of driving a couple of days ago, my overdrive light came on and would not go off. When I cut the truck off and back on, the trans temp light came on also. it sat for over a day after that. I checked the resovoir where you add antifreeze last night and it was pretty low - took almost a gallon of 50/50 antifreeze. Added fluid and drove it home (about 10 miles without incident - everything worked. This morning, I drove to work and same thing - about 30 miles into the drive - overdrive light came on and would not go off. when I looked under the hood I had quite of bit of antifreeze that had splashed all over the area near the cap but the cap is secure. Any thought on how to proceed. Thank You in advance for any suggestions you may have.

 

The antifreeze and trans temp light/overdrive issue have nothing to do with one another. Have your codes read (if its throwing one) and go from there.

 

thanks

 

Your welcome and Happy New Year.

 

I had an 01 Dakota as well so I am familiar with the truck. Is there any chance you can provide a picture to this thread of the overdrive light? I've not heard of that or seen it in my experiences.

As for the fluid being spread all over your engine compartment, when you added the 50/50 because the reservoir was low, was the engine hot or cold?

 

This is what i was told. My overdrive light would come on just as your saying and not long after the trans temp light would come on. Mechanic told me that it was more than likely the governor tranducer sensor and the governor pressure sensor. They work together so if one go's bad it will make the other one confuse your pcm and cause the temp light to come on. Cost around $100 to replace yourself. Just pull the pan and there right there.