OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!

Author Topic: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!  (Read 1185 times)

Offline shadango

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OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« on: June 05, 2010 - 11:34:00 PM »
Hey folks

Sorry for the off topic, but figured you guys may have some input on this...

I have started noticing my 03 Durango (5.9) has started having shifting
issues…wants to shift late (high rpms) from 1 to 2 and 2-3…

Not constant;y, seems to do it most when moving around the neighborhood
at 25, 30 mph or so…revs high…if I let off the gas a bit sometimes it'll shift up…sometimes not…when it does finally shift its abrupt.  Other times, shifts just fine.

Speed sensor maybe? I seem to remember that there's a speed sensor on these things that can cause weird tranny issues? or maybe the TPS?

Fluid seems ok and is at the right level…fluid was changed at 35k miles…though I'm due for my
next change…truck has 69k on it now. No codes.

Thanks for any thoughts you may have…This truck is my chase vehicle for Carlisle!   :bricks1:




Offline tactransman

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2010 - 06:36:41 AM »
Could be TV cable,TPS or a solenoid. Have you scanned it for codes?
Terry-tactransman 
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Union, Mo.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Offline shadango

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2010 - 08:37:08 AM »
Yeah, I did the ignition switch deal (3 quick on/off cycles) and no codes are coming up.  I figured that if it were a sensor there should be a code, right? But then again since its intermittant....  :dunno:

The truck doesnt get driven a lot.....its my kid picker upper and family trip vehicle....last sunday, the battery had died and I replaced it....hadnt noticed any problem like this prior to that.

When you say it could be a "TV" cable, maybe its just sticky and binding occasionally?   
« Last Edit: June 06, 2010 - 08:41:58 AM by shadango »

Offline tactransman

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2010 - 09:39:10 AM »
You need to have it scanned to check for codes. Make sure all your ground cables are clean.
Terry-tactransman 
Torqueflite/Automatic Transmission Specialist
Union, Mo.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Offline shadango

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2010 - 09:46:05 AM »
Well, when I dod the ignition swicth deal, it is supposed to show all stored codes (has worked in the past).....but none this time....  :dunno:

Ground.....hmmm....well, I was tinkering with the battery cables obviously.....but no other issues......\

What I hate is that its intermitant.....PITA to try and find.

Offline Cooter

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2010 - 03:31:58 PM »
Have you ever flushed the trans? If you got 69K out of it before the dreaded Chrysler tranny woes, condier yourself lucky IMO...

A buddy had one of these, and his gave him problems from day one.....Not saying there isn't a member here that has gotten 200K out of one, but I usually see 'em between 50K-75K with trans problems....Especially when towing something...
1958 plymouth Belvedere 2dr hd top "Christine" [OO)====V====(OO]
1969 dodge Charger "General Lee"         [___|______I______|___]                        
1968 Dodge Dart 2dr sedan 505" Stroker    (O]=0==========0=[O)                
1970 Challenger R/T Clone "Kowalski Special"   (OO) [___________] (OO)

Offline shadango

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2010 - 06:31:23 PM »
Well, thats depressing.

I have towed occasionally, but not regularly.

The tranny had a drop pan service at 35k or so......

I dont believe in the flushes....everyone I know who has had one has had issues right afterwards......

I do plan anotehr drop pan service...I know a good tranny guy...I guess I will have to run it in.

WOuld love to repair it myself....but trannys...especially these damn electronic ones....are a mystery to me and I know when I am beat.  LOL

I do seem to remember, though, some threads about speed sensors causing funky shifts.....thats why I was posting...hoping for a easy fix....

Offline CHL2T

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2010 - 08:29:38 PM »
 Yeah, I'd also say "lucky" you got that many miles out of it before it started acting up, my 97 ram had tranny issues since day one, had been rebuilt three times (7 yr 76,000 warranty, thank God!) and to this day does the same as day one, late shifts.
 It literally have to rail to 3,500-4000 rpms to get it to shift. When it shifts (irregularly) at a lower rpm it SLAMS. The truck has 110,000 on it now and did I to mention that it has has a bad #3 wrist pin in the warrantee replacement long block that also had a bad # 3 wrist pin? And did I how about the steering column that was relpaced twice because the dealer wasn't made aware that the wheel doesn't lock unless it's upside down? Or the Idle sensor that went out twice? Or cruise controll going out twice? And of course the howling rear end explained in this very section. The topper is that all of the above happened around 36,000 (hmm!)
Other than that, it runs great  :smilielol: :roflsmiley:

Offline shadango

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2010 - 09:07:02 PM »
Well, cracked open the service manual and at thetop of the chart was:

- Transmission throttle valve cable misadjustment
- Transmission throttle valve cable binding
- TPS

So i checked the adjustment and it was fine....then crawled underneath to check the operation of the valve itself on the tranny.......the cable itself felt a little sticky so I lubed the linkage at the trammy and worked it a while......just took it for a ride and I wont call it fixed, but it didnt do it in several miles.

Will try it over the next few days and see.  If it still does it I will throw on a new TPS.


Offline tactransman

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Re: OT: 2003 Durango tranny issues...........GGGRRRRR!
« Reply #9 on: June 06, 2010 - 11:25:00 PM »
I have a '01 Dakota with 178,000 miles ................ never been touched! (It's getting an OH this summer though) :smilielol:
Terry-tactransman 
Torqueflite/Automatic Transmission Specialist
Union, Mo.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.