Questions and Answers

Dodge Truck Shifts Hard Cold Q. Dear Vince, I have a 1986 Dodge truck with a 318 engine and automatic transmission that shifts hard. Its worse when its cold. Does Dodge have a vacuum modulator valve like Chevy, and if it does, where is it located? I see a vacuum line hanging down by the transmission that is not hooked to anything. I don't see any place on the side of the transmission to hook it to. I believe the transmission is a 904. Thanks, Lance

A. I had to think about this one for a few minutes. I didn't remember ever seeing one on a Chrysler product. So I checked my reference books and confirmed that there is no Vacuum Modulator.

Usually when a transmission shifts better warm than cold, it's due to a partially clogged transmission filter. So I would try replacing the transmission filter and fluid before anything else and see what happens. Don't flush it, just replace whatever fluid comes out with the filter.