[PARED]

Durango started out in 3rd instead of 1st last week. Since that time I've checked fluid level and it's OK. I replaced the TPS, no help, and also the Transmission Speed Sensor (TSS), no help. Vehicle has 31,00 miles. It will go through all gears if I use the gear selector. I have no engine warning lights0. This vehicle has never towed anything or gone on a longer trip than 200 miles.

1. What is the next step?
2. Should I get the trans serviced? (can I get the right fluid at the trans shop?)

 

[y2kd]

Check to see if the spring is still attach to the cable arm on the transmission housing or it could be a kinked cable.

 

[PARED]

Kinked Cable or broken spring?

I'll take a look. I'm not a mechanic but I should be able to see a kinked cable or a missing spring (at end of cable where it attaches to transmission I hope).

Tranny shop said that service is due and should be done regardless & might fix the problem. Most likely there will be a fault code in the computer pointing to a possible faulty solinoid inside the tranny. I'll use the code checker from someone and see if any cods.

Thanks for the help.

 

[PARED]

PARED, still not shifting right

I checked the cable and spring going to trans, looks like new.

Basic symptoms and conditions:
Starts in 3rd from stop
Works manually when I use gear indicator through all gears.
O/D work's fine
Fluid fine
TPS replaced
TSS (speed sensor) replaced
Cable to trans and return spring look and feel great
No engine warning (check engine)
It is a "46RE" transmission
31,000 miles
2001 model Durango, 5.9 engine

Does anyone else have any ideas?

 

[MaceDew]

I seem to have the same problem. When you come to a stop, can you feel it like kick down?

 

[PARED]

Trans problem

Not that I can feel. It doesn't start out in 1st, rather 3rd. Stopping it seems to remain in 3rd. No "kick" or bump, nothing. Sorry.
PARED

 

[NH_driver]

Lack of activity in this thread would make me think that you already got your answer.. but in case not...

Sounds like your in "limp-mode". This is a mode activated by the ECU if the transmission sets fault codes for either overtemp or faulty governor pressure. It will remain in 3rd gear and will not shift, except for 2nd and reverse, via the shift lever. Most of the time, clearing codes will unlock the transmission again, but if the fault is still there, it will go right back into limp-mode. BTW, limp-mode is not intended for continued driving, but rather to "limp" back to the dealership for serious repairs. I have read in many places that continued driving in limp-mode puts extreme stress on the tranny and could cause substantial additional damage.

 

[PARED]

Answer to my shift problem!!

Turned out to be the Valve body inside the transmission. You are right, IF I had gone a few more miles, it would have taken off too much material and the trans would have needed an overhaul. I was lucky.

What is a shame is that this great looking SUV has such a weak point. It seems that it is not reliable for one thing or another. I've replaced the heater resistor, the pasenger window switch, now the valve body (for $1,100 for parts and labor). The vehicle has only 33K miles and is treated very easily. I have a 1991 Ford Explorer with 80K miles that has only needed tires, and belts. Go figure.

PARED

 

[MaceDew]

Well, I just go mine fixed this last weekend. Ended up being the Torque converter and the valve body went. Replaced underwarrenty. Got a new trans and Torque converter. All better now..

 

[NH_driver]

Check to see if the spring is still attach to the cable arm on the transmission housing or it could be a kinked cable.

Just for future reference... Here's what I finally found on mine.

Condition was delayed or no upshift from 1st and/or 2nd. I had just changed the trans. output sensor and rr abs sensor. Had done trans service, and adjusted belts. I had checked the TV cable, and was OK. So, I was focusing a lot on sensors or PCM being the culprit, since I never explained the intermittent stall/no start (which has yet to reoccur).

Then underneath the D, I happened to notice that the TV lever wasn't in the "idle" position. It was about mid-travel. I pushed it with my finger, back to the stop. Moving it back and forth by hand I found that it moved very freely in the midway to full throttle range, but was tight below midway. I emptied about half a can of penetrant on the shaft/lever while working it back and forth repeatedly. Once it was finally nice and smooth, I readjusted the TV cable and it's shifting beautifully!! Been a week and approx. 500 miles of driving and it hasn't missed a shift or hung even once. Throttle response is much nicer now too.

So, don't make my mistake and skip checking the simple and obvious things first!