My 02 dakota is having transmission problems. When I start the truck in park and drive away, it seems sluggish and starts in 2nd gear. It seems to run fine once reaching speeds of 35-40. However, when I start the truck in neutral and then drive away, the transmission shifts fine and I have plenty off power. I'm stumped
please help

 

Ok first you need to check it for codes , and advance autoparts or auto zone will do it for free , If you have the codes send them to us , Also there may be and alternative im not sure if it still works or not .on the earlier even obd2 it would work ,turn the key switch off and on three times , then leave on at third time , the engine light may flash the codes to you like morse code , it will be like 2 quick flashes followed by a pause the 3 quick flashes ,that would be a 23 but as i said not sure it works on one so new havent done it without a scanner in years ,
However since the transmission seems normal when started in neutral but not park Im leaning towards a bad manual lever position sensor , (prndle)switch,
other possibilites are a govenor presure solinoid , But I would get it scanned first for sure ,
www.performabuilttransmissions.com

 

I just got the codes from turning the switch they are, P0113, P0303, P0420, P0442, P0455, P1762, P0111, P0456 THANKS for your help

 

wow you will have to give me a few on those be back with you shortly
www.performabuilttransmissions.com

 

PO303 is engine missfire
PO113 AND PO111 IS A CODE FOR AND IAT SENSOR OR CIRCUIT (INLET AIR TEMPERATURE)
PO420 IS AND O2 SENSOR CODE
PO442 IS AND EVAP SYSTEM CODE THE EVAP SYSTEM CODES CAN BE CAUSE BY A
PO455 IS ALSO A EVAP SYSTEM CODE BAD OR MISSING GAS CAP
PO456 IS AND EVAP SYSTEM CODE
P1762 -IS THE GOVENOR PRESURE SOLINOID AND OR THE GOVENOR PRESURE SENSOR . THEY CAN BOTH BE CHANGED WITHOUT REMOVING THE VALVE BODY ONLY
THE PAN NEED BE REMOVED i WOULD TRY THAT FIRST

HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS
www.performabuilttransmissions.com

 

I checked auto zone and salvos for the governor pressure solenoid and governor pressure sensor and they said that only the dealer sells them. Does anyone know somewhere online to purchase them i have a 2002 dakota 3.9L auto trns thanks again

 

A dealer or a transmission parts supplier would be about the only sources
www.performabuiltautomatics.com

 

I can get them for you if you are interested.Vince

 

the gov. solenoid and transducer 99% of the time fixes this condition. hope that helps.

 

thanks guys i replaced the solenoid and sensor and it shifts great now thanks for the help!!

 

You are very welcome always glad to help