Truck not moving

[RKershner]

My 07 w/auto (30,000 miles) doesn't want to move when put in drive after being started in the morning. Its heater is plugged in when it below 32 degrees & I'll let it warm up a few minutes. When I throttle it up it revs & moves slowly for 20 or 30 feet, then it seems fine after that,until the next morning. I checked the trans fluid level,it was fine. I took it to the dealer and let them have it overnight. They said that it did the same thing to them in the morning & checked the fluid and it was 1 1/2 quarts low ,kept it till the next morning and it went right in gear and no problems moving. Now they got me thinking that I didn't check the fluid the proper way(Hot & in netural). Well its still doing the same thing in the morning. Where did the fluid go, its garage kept nothing on the floor,pan has no leaks,tail shaft looks good . They checked the cooling system,no fluid there Seems like its a temp sensative problem ,fine on warmer days Anyone have the same problem?Its going back to the dealer this week. Is there any TSB's out on this? This is the 2nd winter I had with this truck and no problem last winter. Tow my 28' TT & car maybe 4 or 5 times a year & no problems. This is my first Dodge,always had Fords. Love the truck & cummins motor,but don't need this trans problem w/ only 30,000 miles#@$%!



Thanks for any replies,

Bob

 

[jelag]

Bob...

As I remember from years ago... this is a seal problem in the pump... . the heavy thick oil doesn't want to move... and the pump has problems until the fluid warms up...

When your truck is plugged in... the engine block is heated to hasten engine warm up... but very little if any of this heat will migrate to the auto transmission and fluid...

I'm not sure I agree that the fluid is low... checking your owners manual, you are checking the fluid correctly... we do it in park with the engine hot... . to us, park is the correct way to do this... . the factory wouldn't want you to stand in front of a truck in N instead of P to check the fluid. . in days past there have been some trucks that have dropped from N to D on their own... and started to move...

 

[HOBrian]

Sounds like your converter is drain back! When you start the truck in the AM put the truck in neutral and wait 30 sec. then put it in gear, it should go into gear and you should start moving right away. With the truck neutral the trans pump is pumping fluid into the converter filling it up! There is an anit-drain back valve that should prevent this from happening!

 

[RKershner]

Thanks for the replies,jelag & HO. Your right I should be checking it in park, alot safer. I'am applying the parking brake when I check it in neutral & on level surface. I did read about converter drain back and believe that might be the problem. The check value must be bad. Well this morning I took the truck out & it was slow moving again for 30 sec. to a min. Came back checked fluid & its above the max level, so that tell me when I checked the level before I took it to the dealer it was ok and they over filled it now. I don't know if the dealer is giving me the run around or what!!!Its close to the 36000 mile warranty. Guess I'll see this week when it goes back.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[RKershner]

Also never was a problem last winter, but we are having a colder winter this year in southeast Pa.

 

[cojhl2]

I dunno, from what I've been told is you check these transmissions in N not in P as you would all other manufacture's.



I do know, no matter whre the drainback is the pump does not circulate oil while in P.

 

[RKershner]

I dunno, from what I've been told is you check these transmissions in N not in P as you would all other manufacture's.



I do know, no matter whre the drainback is the pump does not circulate oil while in P.

Your right, manual does say check it in N. So the pump must be not be pumping in P.

 

[JBallou]

Last 2 posts are absolutely correct on a factory trans. Aftermarket valve bodies are modded to flow oil in P.

My money is on the check valve, do as others have suggested and post the results about the a. m. thing.

GL

Keep us posted

 

[sweeda]

If its that cold at night I beleive it is just that the fluid is cold. try on our next start to SET THE PARK BRAKE and put in nuetral right after starting it normally. Remember to wait for the start light to go out before starting and let truck run on high idle til the truck warms a bit. I wait untill the intake hearters large electrical draw is done due to I start and stop alot. But just on that first morning start. Putting a blanket on the hood and grill at night may help keep some of the heat in the truck

 

[HOBrian]

Y So the pump must be not be pumping in P.

Your right and that is why when you start the truck the converter does not fill, thus giving you your slow start. The pump does not start pumping until it is out of park. Try putting the truck in N for 15 sec. before leaving tomorrow morning.

 

[RKershner]

Not a good start this morning, let it warm up put it in gear & had to rev the crap out of it to get it to go. Must have went 100 ft or more before it seemed normal, no problem the rest of the trip. So it likely its the converter draining back to the pan & the pump not filling the converter Hope the dealer figures it outIts going back to the dealer on Wed,if it makes it. Glad its still under warranty . Well their (dealer) only going to replace it with the same inferior parts that will probably last 30,000 miles if I'am lucky. I think the consumer needs the bailout money more than the big 3 if they keep putting out junk like this #@$%! Anyone have any recommendation for a aftermarket trans built for towing, looks like I'am going to need one. I know I should have gone with a stick. NOT A HAPPY DODGE OWNER #@$%!

 

[cojhl2]

You did not mention it,, but dija run the engine with the trans in N for a minute or two.



My pickup sets without running the months of

Dec, Jan, Feb, and sometimes Mar. The first time i run it after setting that long the symtoms are exactly what you are encountering. That is why I know about the N thing.



Whatever is wrong, and certainly something is, I think it's too early to consider Dodge Junk...

 

[RKershner]

You did not mention it,, but dija run the engine with the trans in N for a minute or two.



My pickup sets without running the months of

Dec, Jan, Feb, and sometimes Mar. The first time i run it after setting that long the symtoms are exactly what you are encountering. That is why I know about the N thing.



Whatever is wrong, and certainly something is, I think it's too early to consider Dodge Junk...

Just a little aggravated,you pay good money for vehicles and you don't get a good product anymore. I will try the N thing on the next outing but I shouldn't have to do this with only 30,000 miles on the truck & less than 2 years old. All I'am asking is to get my moneys worth & for the company to stand behind their product. Also had Fords that blow their sparkplugs out #@$%! Thats why I purchased a Dodge/Cummins. Just seems like you can't get a good american vehicle anymore.



Sorry about the *****'in & :{

 

[EArp]

Mine has done this since the day I drove it off the showroom floor. I've got 36k on the ticker now. The transmission pump doesn't run in park only in neutral. I'm not sure about all of you guys, but my dad's two dodges and mine have all done this. My dad's transmission repair guy says that it's normal and nothing to worry about. He said it has something to do with the torque converter having to fill with fluid. If it irritates you, then just be sure and put it in neutral immediately after starting and wait a couple of seconds and everything should work just fine. I've had absolutely NO PROBLEMS with my transmission in 36k in spite of this occurrence.

 

[AAdams]

sorry this is not normal. there a seal either in the converter or trans that is allowing the drain back i forget which. you have a good trans do not second guess it. if your dealer will not honor the fact you have a bad seal your next step is to go the district manager for chrysler and keep climbing the chrysler ladder and complain. this is just like my 97 nv4500 and the nut on 5th gear. no one heard of this but my dealer had 75 available overnight. you do not stock this many of a non service item. the one i had been in contact with plowed snow worked construction and generally could not shut the truck down. finally he had a leak at about 65000mi ,had it overhauled just because ,no more drain back.

 

[RKershner]

sorry this is not normal. there a seal either in the converter or trans that is allowing the drain back i forget which. you have a good trans do not second guess it. if your dealer will not honor the fact you have a bad seal your next step is to go the district manager for chrysler and keep climbing the chrysler ladder and complain. this is just like my 97 nv4500 and the nut on 5th gear. no one heard of this but my dealer had 75 available overnight. you do not stock this many of a non service item. the one i had been in contact with plowed snow worked construction and generally could not shut the truck down. finally he had a leak at about 65000mi ,had it overhauled just because ,no more drain back.

AAdams,

Your right this is not normal, What if this was some type of emergency vehicle,ambulance,fire,rescue & etc. Response time sure would suck !!!. Like I said its going back to the dealer Wed. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

Bob

 

[JJPage]

Last 2 posts are absolutely correct on a factory trans. Aftermarket valve bodies are modded to flow oil in P.



My money is on the check valve, do as others have suggested and post the results about the a. m. thing.



GL



Keep us posted

I never noticed this behavior on mine until I returned from DTT in Abbotsford.



They told me the pump does not flow in P, that I was experiencing TQ converter drain back, and to idle in N for 30 seconds before driving. My guess is DTT does not mod their valve bodies to flow in P.



This has been somewhat annoying, but I absolutely love the way it shifts and locks up, drives so different than when stock, that I have decided it was worth this little annoyance.



Now I am wondering if there is a check valve problem???

 

[tx_fireman1525]

My truck does the same exact thing in the morning. Where is the check valve located?

 

[RKershner]

Just a little update,Tried the "N" thing today and it worked,but this is not normal. I tried "D" and it moved real slow ,put in "N" for 15-30 sec. put it in "D" & it took off like it supposed too. I believe the dealer wouldn't look into the problem if it was normal. Dropped it off in the late afternoon at the dealer,to be looked at tomorrow. As far as the check valve location,I would think in the valve body???

 

[cojhl2]

Well yah,, I think we all agree it is not supposed to be that way. We were merely providing a work around until you can get it fixed.



I don't think it is a showstopper and it does not necessarily mean the rest of the DC is a piece of junk. .