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FromMessage
GB2000
GenIII
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6/17/2004
12:05:57

Subject: Transmission questions...
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Need info on a few tranny related things...

1.) I bought a filter kit from Advance Auto Parts so I can change the filter... I plan on changing the fluid and filter soon. How easy is that? Drop the pan, swap new filter with old, reinstall pan and refill fluid? Also... is the only way to change the fluid by just draining the old out of the pan and then refilling it (I know some remains in the torque converter and in other areas)? If not, how do I flush it without spending a sh!tload on extra ATF+4...that stuff ain't cheap.

2.) What are the correct names and part numbers for the two solenoids on the tranny? Especially the one that controls downshifting when you punch it.

My dakota has some serious problems with shifting...it gear hunts badly when shifting. It's also notorious for overrevving in the winter...only while cool. After it shifts a couple times, it doesn't do it any more. What do you think is the problem? Like if I get on the gas from a stop sign...it'll go first, second, then it shifts all over (causing me to surge if I don't let off before it does it) looking for the gear. Usually it'll shift, realize that's the wrong gear and shift back into the proper gear. Kinda embarrassing when I'm trying to race...lol. It also will not downshift out of overdrive when I punch it (ie. to pass). When I finally get it to, it'll drop down, redline, and shift back up into the right gear (usually done before it's in overdrive...once it's in overdrive, it either downshifts properly or not at all til I slow down to city speeds).

Any help would be greatly appreciated... I'd like to get this sucker fixed ASAP. It's the last thing I need to get this truck running good.

Josh



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2004
12:32:18

RE: Transmission questions...
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The TV (throttle valve) cable controls downshifts. The solenoid pack contains the O/D and lockup torque converter solenoids, and is about $50 from the dealer. Changing it involves pulling out the valve body, only because the connector mounts on top of the valve body and feeds through the case. The solenoid pack screws to the side of the valve body.

I'd adjust the bands while it's open.



another mark
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2004
13:07:43

RE: Transmission questions...
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Doing the pan drop and filter change and fluid is pretty easy. It
can be messy unless you have instaleld a drain plug in the pan.
You can get a plug for $5 at auto parts stores. You will only get
5 - 6 quarts that way though and there are 10 quarts in the
entire system. The best way to get the rest of it out is to pop
your trans fluid feed line going to the radiator and pump out a
quart at a time there by starting and stopping the engine when it
fills a bottle. As you remove a quart, add a quart. Places that do
this service charge $200 or so for it. I don't think anyone has
our ATF cheap, it's all about the same in price.



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2004
13:56:31

RE: Transmission questions...
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I just changed my filters a few weeks ago. Mine
is a 02, 4X4 and 4.7 with the 4RE?? transmission.
It was a real mess and I did install a drain plug
while it was removed. Mine uses two filters. One
screw on and the *normal* flat style with pan
gasket.

I used 8.5 quarts to refill the system. I have to
admit, it was the hardest ever to refill I ran
into. The stick showed it was full after four
quarts. Engine was running and in nutural and
warmed up. I finally took it around the block and
rechecked again. It then took the rest, three and
1/2 more quarts. I had to go to the dealer and
got ripped off buying their ATF+4 but it was the
only place to get it. I didn't want to use
any other name brand or blend do to I knew I
didn't get 100% of the old fluid out of the
system.

I doubt very much changing your filters and fluid
is gonna help your shifting problem, GB2000. For
your wallets sake I hope it does but better get
ready for the shock of your life!

Bad thing also is, if your transmission does need
replaced or worked on, you'll be VERY VERY VERY
lucky to EVER get the job done right! I have yet
found ANYONE that knows what they are doing. Even
the replacements are JUNK!

You might even consider trading...

Good luck and please let us know what your outcome
is.







GB2000
GenIII
 User Profile


6/17/2004
15:17:53

RE: Transmission questions...
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Hrmmm... maybe I'll just suffer til I can afford to trade in for a V8. If all else fails, I think I'm gonna let the dealer rip me off and just have them try a few ideas...fluid/filter, change sensors/solenoids, adjust bands. No rebuilding for me...

Thanks guys,
Josh



daffydak
GenIII
 User Profile


6/17/2004
16:46:56

RE: Transmission questions...
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is it throwing any codes?? auto zone scans for free i think....

while your taking the valve body out, put in a shift kit!! i have one for sale!!!

the stealership, probably wont even mess with the tranny. they will likely say "time for a new one" (transmisson) if you can get it to act OK for a while, take it in and trade it!! then if the tranny lets go, its not your problem!! test drive a v8, and you'll fall in LOVE!!

Dan

MOPAR=More Power!!

GB2000
GenIII
 User Profile


6/18/2004
01:09:36

RE: Transmission questions...
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Message:
What I'd like to do is figure out how to adjust the bands without screwing them up... then maybe I'd risk messing with the valve body and stuff too. Why's dropping the pan so messy anyway? When you unbolt the pan, does it overflow or is just the fact that you're trying to hold it level while unbolting it and you just end up pouring it all over the place if you aren't very slow and cautious?

Josh



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2004
06:36:48

RE: Transmission questions...
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Message:
There are no bands, just clutch packs.




AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
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6/18/2004
08:30:53

Amsoil --- 1998 DODGE DAKOTA 3.9L 6-cyl VIN Code X
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gb2000,

1998 DODGE TRUCKS DAKOTA 3.9L 6-cyl VIN Code X

AMSOIL FILTERS

Oil Filter ...... SDF42
Oil Vapor Filter ...... CB27
Air Filter ...... TS29
Fuel Filter ...... N/S
PCV Valve ...... HV169
Trans ...... TF155

CHASSIS LUBRICATION

Four-wheel drive
17 Fittings, 0 Plugs..........LB

Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic Racing Grease
Amsoil Synthetic GHD Heavy-Duty EP Grease
Amsoil Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease NLGI #2

Two-wheel drive
6 Fittings, 0 Plugs..........LB

AmsoilSeries 2000 Synthetic Racing Grease
Amsoil Synthetic GHD Heavy-Duty EP Grease
Amsoil Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease NLGI #2

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS

Engine Oil Grade 1......API*
Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 Motor Oil
Amsoil SAE 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil
Amsoil Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil

Above 0°F......10W-30[1]
Below 32°F......5W-30

Manual Transmission,NV3500.....GLS[2]
Amsoil SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil

Manual Transmission,AX-15.....GL-3
75W-90
Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic Gear Lube
Amsoil SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube

Automatic Transmission.....AP4[3]
Amsoil Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid

Standard Differential, .....GL-5
80W-90
Amsoil SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube

Controlled Slip Differential, .....GL-5*
80W-90
Amsoil SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Amsoil Slip-Lock Differential Additive

Controlled Slip Differential, 7.25-9.25 axles.....GL-5*
75W-90
Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic Gear Lube
Amsoil SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Amsoil Slip-Lock Differential Additive

Standard Differential, 7.25-9.25 axles.....GL-5
75W-90
Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic Gear Lube
Amsoil SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube

Transfer Case,.....AF3
Amsoil Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid

Transfer Case,.....AP3
Amsoil Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid

1. 10W-30 is preferred.
2. GLS is a special gear lube, Mopar part no. 04874464.
3. Daimler Chrysler Corp. recommends that all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions be serviced with ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.

CAPACITIES

Engine, with filter .......... 4.0 quarts[1]
Cooling System, Initial Fill .......... 14.0 quarts
Automatic Transmission, Initial Fill .......... 4.0 quarts[2]
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill .......... 11.0 quarts
Manual Transmission, NV3500 .......... 4.2 pints
Manual Transmission, AX-15 .......... 6.5 pints
Differential, with 7.25 ring gear Rear .......... 3.0 pints
Differential, Front .......... 3.0 pints[3]
Differential, with 8.25 ring gear Rear .......... 4.4 pints
Differential, with 9.25 ring gear Rear .......... 4.9 pints
Transfer Case,NV231 .......... 2.5 pints
Transfer Case,NV242 .......... 2.7 pints
Transfer Case,NP241 W/ Dsl .......... 6.5 pints

1. After refill check oil level
2. With engine automatic transmission operating temperature, shift through all gears. Check fluid level in NEUTRAL and add fluid as needed.
3. Fill no higher than 1/2 to 5/8 inch below fill plug.

TORQUES

Oil Drain Plug ..... 25 ft-lbs
Transfer case
Fill Plug ..... 35 ft-lbs
Drain Plug ..... 35 ft-lbs
Manual Transmission AX-15
Fill Plug ..... 27 ft-lbs
Drain Plug ..... 27 ft-lbs
Manual Transmission NV3500
Fill Plug ..... 14-20 ft-lbs
Drain Plug ..... 14-20 ft-lbs
__________________________________________________



Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products



AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
 Email User Profile


6/18/2004
08:36:36

Amsoil --- 1998 DODGE DAKOTA 3.9L V6 - ATF Change
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ATF Fluid Change:

Changing Your Transmission Fluid in 12 EASY Steps:

1. Make sure the fluid is warm. Warm up your Dakota so the transmission is at normal operating temperature. Pull the transmission dipstick. Fresh fluid is translucent and cherry red. Some darkening is normal, but if it is reddish brown or mustard color and smells like burnt varnish, it is worn out.

2. Drain the fluid by loosening the pan. Select the correct filter replacement based on pan shape and prepare a large pan to catch the fluid. Then loosen each pan bolt a turn or two and loosen one corner more than rest. Drain mostly from this corner.

3. Finish removing the pan and any gasket material from the pan or case. Avoid scratching the metal and make sure the pan’s gasket surface isn’t bent or distorted.

4. Remove the old filter. Most transmission filters are held in place with a bolt or two, but some are held by a clip. Be careful to include O-Rings or other seals.

5. Install a new filter. Use the clips or bolts from the old filter. Be sure O-Rings, etc. are in place. If the filter has a long intake neck, gently push the neck into place without unseating the O-Ring.

6. Clean the pan thoroughly. Inspect the pan before cleaning. A small amount of fine grey clutch dust is normal. However, if you find metal shavings, there has been transmission damage. Clean the pan with solvent and wipe dry so there is no harmful residue.

7. Position gasket on pan. Some gaskets have four holes slightly smaller than the rest to allow four bolts through the pan and through these smaller holes to hold the gasket in place.

8. Hand tighten pan bolts in a criss-cross pattern. After that, use a torque wrench to tighten bolts to proper ft-lbs as per manufacturer.

9. Refill the transmission using only the amount shown as “refill capacity” in the owners manual or "AMSOIL Product Selection Guide,” using the type of fluid specified for the vehicle.

10. If doing only a partial fluid replacement, skip to instruction 12 below. If doing a complete fluid replacement, follow the steps in instruction 11.

11. You now have replaced the fluid in the pan. To replace the fluid in the torque converter and oil cooler also, follow these steps.

Step 1. Obtain the total system capacity of the vehicle from the manufacturer or I can provide it for you. Have this amount readily available.

Step 2. Disconnect the oil cooler line from the oil cooler. As you may not know which is the pressure side and which is the return side, have both directed so the stream of fluid will be directed toward a receptacle.

Step 3. With another person, be prepared to add ATF to the fill area as it is being pumped out of the oil cooler line.

Step 4. Start the engine, and as the old fluid is pumped out, add fresh fluid to the pan.

Step 5. When either the fluid color brightens or the total capacity has been replaced, shut the engine off and re-attach the oil cooler line. All fluids has now been changed.

12. Recheck the fluid level. With the truck on level ground, set the parking brake and the transmission in “Park” or “Neutral.” Let the engine idle for a few minutes. Shift the transmission into different positions before returning the lever to “Park” or “Neutral.” Check the fluid level again and check for leaks.

-------------------------------------------------

This is really a "two-person" or a "three person" DIY operation. The ATF will come out faster than it goes in ... so you may need to stop and restart the engine a few times.
__________________________________________________


__________ __________

Amsoil Synthetic Universal ATF --- Retail Pricing

(preferred customers and dealers receive discounted pricing of approximately 20%)

Product Codes - Quantity/Size - Retail Pricing

ATF-QT - (1) quart bottle ------------ $7.80

ATF-01 - (12) quart bottles --------- $92.40

ATF-TP - (1) 2 1/2-gallon bottle ---- $74.25

ATF-05 - (2) 2 1/2-gallon bottles - $146.50

ATF-30 - (1) 30-gallon drum ------- $689.00

ATF-55 - (1) 55-gallon drum ----- $1,181.00
__________________________________________________

Request a FREE Amsoil Catalog by clicking the following link:



Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products



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