Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
13:03:58 - 03/28/2024

V8 Dakotas
FromMessage
JKBarger
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

9/25/2002
18:28:19

Subject: 5-45RFE Auto trans Drain back issues
IP: Logged

Message:
Hey guys and gals, has anyone heard about a "drain back" issue with the 5-45RFE auto trans for the 4.7 dakotas? I was told that a drain back problem is when to much of the trans fluid in the tourque converter drains back into the trans pan. They said that the way to check if the trans has a "drain back" problem is by getting the trans to normal operating temp by driving it and then checking the fluid level on the dipstick with the truck running and in park. You then let the truck set and cool off over night and check the fluid level. If the level rose over an inch on the dipstick then you have a "drain back" problem.

I hapen to have a 2001 extended cab dakota with the 4.7 and 5-45RFE auto trans. After the truck sits for at least an hour after being driven the next time I would start it and put in drive the truck would just sit there and not move. It felt as if the truck was in nutral. If I let it set there idleing it would gradualy begin to grab hold and move. If I would rev up the engin then it would grab hold sooner but still gradually not all at once.

I took it into the dealer because thankfully it's still under waranty. They told me after having it for a day that Dodge's Tech Support said that they have seen this on a few 5-4RFE auto transmissions. On all the past "Drain Back" problems they had just thrown alot of parts all at once a the problem trans and they weren't sure what was the primary cause of the problem. Well they decided my truck was going to be the test vehicle to finally get to the cause of the problem. They have gone through the transmission replacing everything one thing at a time from the seals to the pump to the torque converter to the solonoid pack to just about everything else. Needlss to say I've been with out my truck for a while. The Dodge service director for the east coast has decided to replace the trans with a new one and send mine back to the lab for a complete analisys.

Oh well, just thought you all would like to here about this and it may help out diagnose a similar problem on yall's 5-45RFE auto transmissions.



sandman
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

9/25/2002
19:12:58

RE: 5-45RFE Auto trans Drain back issues
IP: Logged

Message:
Thanks



Darrell Simon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

6/05/2007
19:59:39

RE: 5-45RFE Auto trans Drain back issues
IP: Logged

Message:
Thanx man. My 2003 Quad cab Dakota just started that drain back thing. 37000+ miles, everything looks good but on cold startups it wont move for a while. I've not had good dealings with the local dodge dealer so I'll live with it I guess.



Shoe
GenIII
 Email User Profile


6/05/2007
20:33:43

RE: 5-45RFE Auto trans Drain back issues
IP: Logged

Message:
I was always under the impression to check the fluid level when it was warmed up because there was a big difference between off and cool and running and warm.

'97 RC V6, 5spd, soon to be V8, 5spd!
Maybe not a 5-speed, but an automatic will work.

clint282cc
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

6/05/2007
23:01:21

RE: 5-45RFE Auto trans Drain back issues
IP: Logged

Message:
my dads 95 ram with a 360 does that a lot. it had 240k on it but of coarse its not the original trans. it was replaced... wow about 100k ago. but especialy when its really cold out it will run like there is no fluid in the TC until its totaly warmed up. onced its warmed up it runs like a 240k mile truck should.

idk if its the same trans or just same problem. its a 4x4 also.



DSW
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


6/06/2007
14:48:06

RE: 5-45RFE Auto trans Drain back issues
IP: Logged

Message:
I had a 45RFE and 2 5-45RFE's with the same problem. It doesn't drain back all the time, but happens often. I've accepted it as a quirk of the tranny and live with it.

I always start the truck immediately when I get in, then do all the other things, seat belt, put things in thier place, etc. By the time I drop the truck in drive it's good to go.



josh
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

6/09/2007
18:59:22

RE: 5-45RFE Auto trans Drain back issues
IP: Logged

Message:
thats not normal for the 45rfe trans. there is another filter inside the trans that is replaced and that fixes the problem. its a recall for the 05 models. its about $30. its located on the left side of the case and in the front. look up past the valve body and u cant miss it



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.