Questions and Answers

Dodge Durango Transmission Woes Q. Hi: I have a 1998 Dodge Durango that I took to Coleman-Taylor in Jackson, TN. Sydney was my technician. I had the transmission rebuilt there as I had low pressure and my transmission was not shifting from second to third, or third to fourth. After having my vehicle serviced, by doing a rebuild, that problem was fixed, but now I have a new problem.

My transmission jumps from third to first gear with a big clunk at about 17 miles an hour every time I stop. I doesn't do this if I have it out of overdrive. Sydney said it may be a computer problem, but it wasn't having that problem when I brought it in, so I'm at a loss.

I've taken it back to Sydney about 8 different times and now I've moved to Indianapolis, IN. I took it to the Dodge dealer here in Indianapolis and they are not sure, but said they would be happy to put in a new computer for about $500.00 and that might fix the problem. What would you suggest?

Craig

A. The dealer should be able to test the system without resorting to throwing parts at it. That's a disgrace. But if that's how they fix things, ask them what happens if they put the $500.00 TCM in and it doesn't fix it. Will they take it out and put your old one back in?

I feel the problem is inside the transmission. It is pretty easy to reassemble a transmission and leave something as small as a ¼ check ball out and have it cause all kinds of shifting problems. It is also possible end play clearances were not properly checked or not checked at all. The clutch packs need to be measured and shims added or removed to bring them into specifications.

This problem should have been caught on the post rebuild road test. You should not have gotten the vehicle back like this.

At this point I would take it to a transmission shop. It appears the two Dodge Dealers you went to don't have anyone qualified to do any kind of transmission work.