I just swapped out my transmission in my 2003 Dodge Durango SXT 4x4 4.7L (VIN N). Its a 5-454RFE transmission. However, my engine starts, I can shift through gears, hear my tranny make a tiny 'tink' when I switch from 2WD to 4WD, but I get zero motion in any gear. Its like its a dead stick.
I set the shift cable so the wide flange in the middle of the bracket fits into the really wide spline on the shifting shaft coming out of the side of the transmission, and all my sensors are connected. The Service Repair Manual calls for 12 qts. ATF+4 Transmission fluid totally dry. I made sure the torque converter was both filled (2.5 qts.) and engaged into the 3 internal collars. You could hear it 'click' when you spun it side to side (about 1/8" either direction) signifying it was seated. The flywheel bolts were put back on correctly in that the round one was put back first, and the remaining 3 slightly oblonged hole ones done next as per the SRM.
The transfer case slid onto the transmission output shaft with no problems at all. I marked a bolt position on the front and rear driveshaft segments to their respective bolt holes on their mounting flanges to ensure the drive line was put back in correctly, along with ensuring alignment of the slip joint splines.
All in all, this should have been a drop, replace, go. Now, someone mentioned (after I did the swap of course) that you HAVE to have your TCM (or PCM if its a 5-speed like mine meaning no separate TCM, the PCM does it all)
reflashed, or you'll have this exact issue. That is a dealer-only job.
Is this in fact true? If not, what else could be the problem?
I set the shift cable so the wide flange in the middle of the bracket fits into the really wide spline on the shifting shaft coming out of the side of the transmission, and all my sensors are connected. The Service Repair Manual calls for 12 qts. ATF+4 Transmission fluid totally dry. I made sure the torque converter was both filled (2.5 qts.) and engaged into the 3 internal collars. You could hear it 'click' when you spun it side to side (about 1/8" either direction) signifying it was seated. The flywheel bolts were put back on correctly in that the round one was put back first, and the remaining 3 slightly oblonged hole ones done next as per the SRM.
The transfer case slid onto the transmission output shaft with no problems at all. I marked a bolt position on the front and rear driveshaft segments to their respective bolt holes on their mounting flanges to ensure the drive line was put back in correctly, along with ensuring alignment of the slip joint splines.
All in all, this should have been a drop, replace, go. Now, someone mentioned (after I did the swap of course) that you HAVE to have your TCM (or PCM if its a 5-speed like mine meaning no separate TCM, the PCM does it all)
reflashed, or you'll have this exact issue. That is a dealer-only job.
Is this in fact true? If not, what else could be the problem?