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Overdrive Shuts off??

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steltz

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
How's everyone doing. It's been a while since I have been on the site and I'll have to consider myself a fair weather DOC user.

I have a 99 4x4 5.9L Durango with 111,000 miles and at 100K exactaly I got a new transmission put in because I had some leakage and shifting problems. Since then, I've begun to have a problem where, when I'm driving on the interstate at about 75-80 mph in hot weather, my overdrive will just shift itself off. I can't turn it back on until I turn the Durango off and let it cool down for 10 minutes or so.

I'm taking it back into the transmission place in the next couple of days but the guy says he has no idea what the problem is. Have any of you guys had/heard of a similar problem.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Matt 'Amethyst D'
 
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#2 ·
I'd think:
- cooler drainback valve installed backwards
- blocked cooler
- bad temp sensor in the trans

Under normal operation, the in-radiator cooler is plenty to cool the tranny. The OD lockout happens at 260F, which is mighty hot (under normal highway loads), given the ~180F water around it in the radiator. If it's a temperature lockout, the "OD OFF" light should come on when it happens??

So check the cooler connections/plumbing/obstructions.

?tom
 
#3 ·
I definitely agree, the trans is overheating! Get it checked out and make sure the check valve in the tranny line isn't stuck. Others here have had restrictions there and it caused complete failure.
Steve
DOC Pres
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
okay thanks tomk. I'll bring this list of ideas to the guy who's going to work on my tranny. I definitely agree that it's an overheating problem as well, that's why I have to let it cool down for a minute so I can drive again. I want to say it was something installed wrong, because it didn't start happening until after the tranny was put in.

If anyone else has any other ideas let me know, so I can inform the guy.
Thanks for your help.
 
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#5 ·
I've been dealing with a similar problem. I have the 5.9L in my 99 D. I'm getting code P0783 - "3-4 shift malfunction" -which doesn't help much. The initial problem was that it'd shift fine all the way up to OD but then shift back down to 3rd after about 10 minutes on the highway - then I couldn't get back into OD. After it cooled down, the OD would work again for awhile. I thought maybe the OD solenoid was bad so I put a new one in. Then it didn't shift into OD at all (what could have happened?) and hasn't been in OD since then. I've tried a new output Speed Sensor and TPS but these didn't help. I gotta think it's an electronic problem rather then mechanical. Even the transmission shops and dealership said it could take several hours to try to figure it out (they'll probably tell me I need a rebuild.) Let me know what you learn.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
I just dropped it off.

I'll let you know what I learn on Friday.

I think it's electronic too. :(
 
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#7 ·
I think getting a P0783 means, "I asked the transmission for 4th gear and didn't get it" In that case, you need to figure out whether (a) the solenoid isn't getting juice, (b) the solenoid is getting the juice but not switching, or (c) the solenoid is switching but something inside is leaking, sticking, or otherwise not responding.

OD OFF means "I'm not going to ask the transmission for 4th gear" A DRBIII or copilot should be able to tell you why the PCM/transmission is dropping into OD OFF. I'd guess it's almost certainly because the PCM thinks the transmission is too hot.

?tom
 
#8 ·
My official guess is there's a restriction in the check valve causing some overheating in tranny resulting in the code and no OD.
There were 2 D's in the tranny shop where I got my gears done last week and all three were there because the trannys were overheating and shutting off the OD. The tech said he'd seen a lot of D's in with a blocked check valve and he simply cuts them out and repipes and hopefully saves the transmission.
Good luck!
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#9 ·
steltz, my guess is the tranny is getting too hot as well. I believe there's a limp mode procedure for when that happens?? Check valve is a common issue/problem on the transmissions in Dodges. I just replaced my lines and need to make sure I have the check valve removed. If your tranny guy didn't remove the check valve or replace the lines, this is a start. Also, a transmission cooler would pay off if you don't have one. Don't believe it's going to be electrical on this one.

bjrobejsek, your problem perplexes me, but that loose ground on the jump may have done something to your PCM - just maybe. I'll have to look at my FSM to see what it has to say.
 
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#10 ·
FSTDANGO3 said:
he simply cuts them out and repipes and hopefully saves the transmission.
Click to expand...
I'd definitely find another transmisson shop? the check valve is there for a reason!

?tom
 
#11 ·
There's actually a TSB listing this problem with them describing that procedure. I believe they even have an updated check valve to put back in. As a matter of fact one of our members, John Kozell, had his removed for the same symptoms as above and they cut it out and repiped a new one in.
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#13 ·
#14 ·
Steltz, let me know how it went in the shop today. This OD issue has me stymied.

tomk et al, at least judging by the gage on the dash, my tranny temp doesn't appear to be hot. Could the check valve still be a problem in locking out the OD or is likely OK? The TSB you referenced pertains to '03 vehicles, could it still be an issue with a '99 5.9L?
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Just talked to my tranny guy on the phone and when they rebuild the transmission in a Dodge they always cut out the drainback valve and re-pipe. He's now replacing all of the solenoids.

I just put 1600 miles on it this weekend, which included pulling a 5000 pound trailer, and he told me if there was a radiator cooler problem, the tranny fluid would be burned and/or getting much darker. He said that it's still as red as the day I put it in.

He also said he can hear a cylinder that isn't firing when idling. I never knew about it. He's a transmission guy, so he doesn't want to mess with it. How do I figure out which cylinder is misfiring?
 
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
I'll get more detail tomorrow from my mechanic, but I just picked up my truck and, so far (30 miles), it seems to be in working order. In the past, I'd gotten a check engine light (that blinked on and off) but no codes and, according to my transmission guy, when the O/D kicks off there should also be an error code stored in the computer. Not in my case though.

I'll update you tomorrow and also let you know if I have any further problems. Like I said, he'd already removed the drainback valve and repiped it. He said all the cooling system is working properly so it's a solenoid/temp sensor. Who knows though, I hope this did it.
 
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#20 ·
Steltz, has the D been shifting into OD OK? Did you get anymore detail from the mechanic as to what solenoids he replaced? I just wonder if it was the OD/TCC solenoid and/or Gov Pressure solenoid. Like I said, when I replaced my OD/TCC solenoid it didn't help me any.
 
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steltz
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