What do you mean by "lets you down"? Does the truck die, or just refuse
to move, or just doesn't shift out of 1st?
Low fluid will cause a "slipping" sensation and burn the clutches pretty
quickly. With the truck warmed up, park on a level surface, engage the
e-brake (preferably chock the wheels), shift it slowly through all the
gears then return it to neutral (it can't be in park, these
transmissions don't pump in park). Check the fluid level with the
engine running. Is it low? If so, add some fluid. The truck was
originally spec'ed with ATF+, which has been superseded by ATF+3, which
was superseded by ATF+4. Dextron II can be used in an emergency but
ATF+4 is recommended.
What does the fluid look like? Reddish pink, or is it dark or brown?
Does it smell burnt? Does it look "silvery" like there's metal
particles suspended in it?
If the fluid looks burnt/brown you're in trouble, but you can try to
service the transmission with new fluid, a filter change, and adjust the
bands and perhaps get a bit more life out of it, but it's a bad omen and
sometimes the fluid change makes it worse.
As I recall your year range of Dakota also had issues with solenoid
packs, which makes it not want to kick in/out of clutch lockup or
overdrive, but this usually causes stalling, etc:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chrysler-Repair-807/1993-Dakota-auotmatic-transmission.htm
If the truck refuses to move and just revs, your torque converter could
be toast, but that was more of an issue with the late 90's/early '00
Dakota/Durango with weak torque converters.
M.B.
On 11/10/2010 10:33 PM, Aaron Wyse wrote:
>
> My truck is either 92 or 93( I haven't looked since I got it a few months ago) 3.9L V6 and AT..
> I have a few quick and related questions.
> This AM on my way to work.. trans wasn't wanting to upshift.. until it got some speed on it.. then it went through the gears and behaved fine.. Get off work and it's gotten worse..
> On the way home from dinner.. I pull away from a light.. and after about 20feet.. she lets me down in a major intersection. Shut it off.. wait a min.. restart and it'll pull a little ways again.
> I believe it does have a trans leak..
> Could this behavior be low fluid??
> Which fluid does it need.. ATF+4??
> and which trans does it have.. A500, or 42RH?\
> Thanks guys... and gals.
>
>
>
>
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