I know it's nt slant related, but thought somebody might have some answers.

'95 Dakota, 5.2L engine with 46RH trans. (They say it's a 4-speed auto)

Having problems with 2-3 shift takig a looong time. Acts like it shifts out of 2nd, but doesn't drop into 3rd. If I back off the gas for a few seconds, will then drop into third, but is becomming increasingly troublesome.

What, precisely, tells the trans to make the shift? Is it a computer controlled solenoid, a servo piston that opens a port to the 3rd gear hyd. passage, something else I haven't thought of? Hoping it might be an easy fix, and won't have a trans shop tell me it's a full-on o-haul.

Roger

GTS225@aol.com

Roger,

The 46RH tranny is hydraulically controlled. The overdrive and lock up troque convertor are electronicaly controller. This tranny is based on the 727 3 speed automatic. It had been orignally designated as a A518 then in the early 90's the designation was changed to 46RH.

The A500 (42RH) in my 89 Dakota was doing the same thing. After a couple of flushed of all the the fuild it stopped. Mine was worst when it was cold then got better as it warmed up. Whe real hot it would not drop back to 1st once and a while. The last 10k miles have been trouble free.

I did purchase a "fix-it" kit for $20 from Trans-Go that is supposed to correct these problems. Camw with a diagram to enlarge several holes in the valve body, a couple of stiffer springs and a differnt valve that is supposed to operate in an un worn area of the valve body. I have not put it in yet because the flushing seems to have taken care of it.

FWIW, I have 250,000 miles on the tranny in my Dakota.

Dave Clement


Hot-Rod 6
dave.clement@motorola.com

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BINGO!!! I forgot to add the part about it seeming to be worse when cold, but you've described my problem exactly. I did do a fluid/filter change once, but earlier in the year, so it could have been warmer weather that made it seem better. I'll do a few more, and maybe even look into that kit.

Thanks loads, Dave

Roger

GTS225@aol.com

Roger,
Dropping the pan and replacing the filter and 4qts of fluid didn't help mine either. It was after I had one of the rubber lines that connect to the cooler in the radiator blow off and ALL the fluid went on the ground. Once I refilled (about 7-8 qts) the problem went away. Also, get Chysler specific ATF+3 fluid. I tried regular Dextron 3 in it and it's true, you will get convertor lock up shudder if you do not use the mopar specific fluid.

Dave Clement


Hot-Rod 6
dave.clement@motorola.com

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Umm-hmm. So you're suggesting that I'll have to get a full-bore flush at a trans shop, or do numerous fluid/filter changes in quick succession.

Also, get Chysler specific ATF+3 fluid. I tried regular Dextron 3 in it and it's true, you will get convertor lock up shudder if you do not use the mopar specific fluid.
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I had heard something about Mopar specific fluid, but hadn't uncovered any details. ('course, hadn't really started digging for info either) I will make darn sure to do as you suggest for the fluid.

Thanks a heap, Dave
And this board has got to be the greatest I've visited.

Roger

GTS225@aol.com

The "full-bore" flush at a Jiffy-Lube type place is about $40.00. What they do is seperate the pressure side cooler line and run the old fluid into a resivior as the engine idles with fresh fluid being fed back to the tranny via the return line. Or, you could just seperate the pressure line and let the fluid dump into a bucket and shut the engine down when it stops flowing, this is essentially what happend to me when the hose came off.
:
: I had heard something about Mopar specific
: fluid, but hadn't uncovered any details.
: ('course, hadn't really started digging for
: info either) I will make darn sure to do as
: you suggest for the fluid.

All the major manufacturers have ATF+3. I saw on another board that DC is now recomending ATF+4 for use in older transmission too. This stuff is synthetic and a lot more expensive.

Dave

Hot-Rod 6
dave.clement@motorola.com