Questions and Answers

Dodge Durango Transmission Problems Q. Hi, I own a 1998 Dodge Durango with a 5.9 liter engine, automatic transmission with part-time 4WD transfer case. ABS, A/C, P/S and 112,000 miles. Transmission fluid was last changed at 101,000 miles. Returned home from a trip the other day. Car lost power on the last hill home. Wouldn't shift past SECOND gear. When I got home engine stalled. Made a rough noise to when it stopped.

Next morning ran fine but decided to take it to dealer anyway. Dealer had previously fixed a leaking transmission cooler line and replaced the oil seal where transmission and engine hook up. Fluid looks good, perhaps a little too much and their are little bubbles in the fluid. Dealer kept car for two days and set there was no problem and no computer codes came up. Drove car home from dealer, about 20 miles or so. Parked car.

Tried to leave a few minutes later. Drove for a couple of miles and it wouldn't move any more. Engine ran fine. Would turn engine off car and restart and it would run for a few hundred feet and repeat. Kept doing that until I got it back home. Let car set for a couple of days. Started it up and it ran fine. Only drove short distance to test ¼ mile or so.

Going back to dealer for another check. Problem is I live in Germany and the dealers don't know much about Durangos even though they are Chrysler. New transmission via German dealer is over $4000.00 not including installation so don't want to do that unless really needed.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Ralph

A. I can't help but wonder if the correct Chrysler transmission fluid was used to fill the transmission. ATF+3 fluid is the specified fluid by Chrysler Corp and they weren't kidding. Since there is no way to distinguish the proper fluid from other incorrect fluids.

I recommend that you flush the current fluid out and completely refill with the proper ATF+3 from a Chrysler Dealer. This won't cost nearly as much as a new transmission and would be the first thing I would do if you came to my garage for service, given your symptoms.