transmission problems ? over Drive

big_b_8888 · #1 06-24-2008, 08:38 PM

I just got my 2001 Durango back from the dealer for a blend door unit replacement under the dash .. and now I think I have transmission problems ....

It shifts up and down through all gears and even over drive ... but where it used to "clunk" sometimes into gear it shift nice and smooth into over drive .. It just feels like it doesn't lock up in over drive ... If I give it gas going around 60 the RPMS increase (speed also increases nicely) to about 2500 RPMS or so ... If I give any more gas it will down shift ...

Is it supposed to stay completely locked ? Or sort of increase RPMs like all other gears ? I also get the EVAP leak check engine light ... (leak in gas vapor lines) so I reset the engine light alot ( no time to fix it yet) This morning I noticed that there were 3 codes (instead of the normal 2 I get with the EVAP problem) I erased it before I looked at it ...

Does it sounds like a rebuild situation or possibly a bad sensor? It pulls hard in every gear including over drive (5.9L)

Any ideas where I should start ?

Thanks

n8ech · #2 06-25-2008, 08:29 AM

Big b

For the Evap issue, look on the canister near the T case on the frame cross bar. You will see two rubber lines there that go from the canister to two stiff plastic lines on the frame.

They usually split where the lines slide onto the canister. Dealer has them for $40, or you can get a couple of heater bypass hoses at AZ for $20 and fix it that way.

Don

big_b_8888 · #3 06-25-2008, 12:56 PM

My wife was driving it today and the trans temp light came on .... The tranny shop said it does not sound like it needs a rebuild ....

ANy ideas ?

Thanks,
Branden

big_b_8888 · #4 06-25-2008, 09:26 PM

I just got a check engine light with the code p1740 .. That is something to do with the overdrive solenoid ... It kicks out of over drive now and doesn't stay in it at all ...

Can the over drive solenoid cause over drive to slip and then stop all together ? I have it at the tranny shop now (seems like nice people) at first the owner of the shop said the lock up tourqe converter probably needs replaced (after he drove it) but he would not know for sure until he looks at it tomorrow.. The over drive kicked off and could not be re-engaged and he pulled the P1740 code and said it was more than likely the solenoid but he wanted to check for sure .... He only wanted $600 to change the TC ... He does good work and provides warranties too with his work !

Any ideas where this might be heading?

Thanks

master tech · #5 06-26-2008, 10:44 PM

Have the trans shop do a torque converter stall test with a scanner, If the engine stalls the torque converter is sealing and locking up. If the engine doesn't stall, overhaul time and replace both the converter and front pump. Or you could try a 3-4 shift solenoid thats bolted to the valve body.

big_b_8888 · #6 07-03-2008, 03:24 PM

I get the Durango back from the transmission shop .. He said he changed the fluid/filter and put a new OD/Tourque Converter solenoid on it .. It shifted into over drive fine for the 5 miles I testdrove it ... I filled it up on gas and headed out for our vacation ... I drive it a little farther heading out of town and it shifts out of OD and the tranny over heats (trans temp light on) So I take it back and was a little upset about it not being fixed ... He agreed to cut some off the labor and said it is the tourque converter... He keeps it another 4 days and calls me and says it's done .... I go get it and I have to pay another $340 .. He said he replaced another solenoid and the governer valve.... So we go for a test drive and the damn thing shifted out if OD again after about 12 miles .... He said huh and went on and on about how it's working right and it must be the shifter cable ?!!? He said replace that and I will be good .. I thought that does not explain the over heating ... I called my friend who used to own tranny shop (should have done this first) and he said overheating? check the Transmission Oil Cooler .. probably plugged up by debris...

So I found my TOC inside the radiator and found out it is like $400 for a new one ....

I went to Auto Zone and bought a aux tranny cooler and spliced into the the lines ... GUESS WHAT !! I have driven it 140 miles now and it has not messed up at all and shifts nicely ... So Iwas out about $800 plus total and had the same problem .. I spent $55 on a TOC and it is fine now ?

So in summary my Tranny was overheating and kicking itself out of overdrive to reduce heat..... I called the guy and he pretty much said "I don't know what to tell you" and to bring it back again .... I said I cannot afford to keep bringing it back and spending more money when you are not getting it fixed or don't know what your doing ...... I mean he was basically replacing parts for no reason ...

The first solenoid he replaced did help the shift into OD smoother but the 2nd visit to his shop did nothing ... So I feel ok paying him for the 1st visit ... (even though he missed the overheating issue) So I was mad and cancelled the check I wrote him becuase I feel I don't owe him .. I figure let him take me to court and explain to the judge why he was charging me and not fixing the problem ...

I mean I know they are complicated devices but I can't have parts replaced for no reason I am not made of money and he was never sure of what really was wrong .....

Kensai · #7 07-03-2008, 05:48 PM

Sorry to hear all that but seems like that mechanic was just grasping straws so he can charge you for each possible item that would gone bad rather than spend an entire day to really dig down to find the problem. Most of the stuff he replaced may have been for nothing and those parts may had nothing wrong with them.

big_b_8888 · #8 07-06-2008, 12:11 PM

Yeah seems like it to me too .... It's funny how some people cannot admit when they do not know what's wrong and just decide to spend out of my bank account at will....I'm just glad I am still running ! 300+ miles and no problem since I installed the TOC