I have the same problem and a theory about what it might be, not confirmed yet; mine only does it when cold or when it sits for several days, also after driving for about 5 minutes it goes away. Once it warms up for the day it works fine even if it sits all day and I use it that evening. After several wiring and parts checks, I decided to tap/pull and reinstall the transmission control relay several times in the mornings before starting the truck, so far so good. I've been doing it for three very cold days. I'll now swap relays with the wipers (same Mopar part number) and report my findings. A review of the diagram makes sense as I believe not energizing the relay is part of the ECM's strategy to activate "limp mode". Under score "believe", maybe someone can help on this. Either way not energizing the relay kills the transmission governor, converter clutch and overdrive solenoids.
Transmission upshifts late
I have a 2000 3.9l 2wd (transmission code in glove compartment tag reads "DGB" & "DGK"). I have had no trans problems at all until the other day when suddenly it wasn't upshifting as I accelerated. Eng would rev to about 2500 then a hard shift up would occur. I found that adding a little tap on the gas followed by quickly pulling my foot off the pedal helped it pushing. Fluid level was ok. Truck sat for about 1/2 hour then drove home fine. I ordered a TPS and used the truck about 3 times while waiting. 1 time was fine, other 2 same problem. I just got the TPS,installed it took a quick test drive, no improvement! I plan to change fluid and filter next, any other things I should change while pan is off? I'm also going to check and adjust the cable from the Throttle Body. I checked and had no diagnostic codes while parked. Do I have to drive it while hooked up to the reader? Thank You in advance. Steve.
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Final update, fairly certain, problem resolved, no parts required, just some ATF4 transmission oil. The relay discussion above turned out to be irrelevant. A recent post by Immattj made me think about the proper procedure to check transmission oil, it also referenced investing in the field service manual. As it turns out I wasn't checking the transmission oil level properly. I recently replaced the range sensor on the transmission because it was leaking oil through the wiring connector. I refilled the transmission as if it were engine oil. Cold, measure, reach hash marks, life is good..... Not as instructed by the manual, hot engine, level surface, place in neutral, check hash marks..... the hash marks were DRY. Embarrassing to admit, I've worked on my cars all my life, how can I do this? After about a quart of ATF4 oil, and many cold morning starts/drives my 03 Dakota Sport, 137,000 miles, 3.9 with a 42RE is happy!!! (I purchased at 130,000 miles and never owned a Dakota before, I'm glad I bought it). Thanks IMMATTJ for awaking my brain! Looking forward to following the site and assisting if I can, and I did find a service manual on ebay!
Thanks for the update, Richard, and happy to learn that that worked out for you. I thnk that checking the tranny fluid in park (versus neutral) is a common mistake on Dodges.
I just started having the same issue with my 01 Dakota. Slow to shift to second and third. Overdrive off on light stayed on then I got a transmission overheat light on my dash. I checked transmission fluid but did so while in park.
I fixed the problem! It was just a dry pivot point where the cable from the TBI joins the actuator arm on the transmission. Just a little lube and a slight bend on the return spring to put more tension on it and problem solved. I have had to spray it again about once or twice a year, but that's all! Thanks for all the help, this forum is great!
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