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rlloyd
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
08:36:45

Subject: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Has this happened to anybody?

I have a new 4.7L, Auto and twice since I got this vehicle, when I start it up, I can't get it into "full" gear. I know it is in some sort of gear because the car WILL move (slowly), but the RPM's are way up there. I've tried shifting or jiggling the shift lever and "no go". The only way to fix it seemed to be "flooring" it and then backing off. After that, everything works fine.

I've called the dealership and they knew nothing about it and without being able to recreate it, it would be hard to diagnose. I only have about 1800 miles on it and everything is great, but one of the times this happened while my wife was pulling away from the house and now she's scared to death to drive it (I know, some will say this is a blessing in disguise, BUT...).

Any help would be appreciated...

This also happened on a Dakota I test drove, at another dealership, believe it or not.

RUSTY



Anthony G
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
10:21:20

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Check out

http://www.atra-gears.com/gears/mar01/24_dr_dr.html

Also check you fluid level, check the level while you engine is on and in drive. Best with two people.



DakotaCC
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
11:59:14

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Does the vehicle shift hard from first to second once underway?? I had a similar situation on my '01 4.7 auto, 4x4, the dealer flashed the PCM per TSB and the problem disappeared. Now if my fuel mileage would just come back up-- I swear it's dropped since the flash job, but won't be able to prove it until weather warms up again.

Best,

DG



rlloyd
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
12:28:21

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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DG,

No it shifts just fine, once underway. Actually, when I "floor" it, I can't tell when/where it shifted. (Like I said, it has only happened twice.) I should note, when it is doing this, the truck sounds as if a fan is on or like the truck has a jet engine in it. (The truck is NOT a turbo.)

RUSTY



fanman
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
12:35:41

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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The roar you hear is the fan clutch not yet releasing its grip on the fan....it will go away.

When your rig is cold, the viscous fluid thickens and makes the clutch spin the blades harder...thus the roar you hear.
Mine has done it since day one, no worries though the fan clutch is simply doing its job.



rlloyd
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
12:59:52

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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fanman,

Good explanation, that is exactly what I hear. However, this doesn't explain why I have no power. Could it be that I still have some sort of transmission problem (slipping) and that is what is causing the fan to spin at such high RPM's (before the clutch releases), thus hearing the loud noise...

RUSTY



Anthony G
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
14:15:56

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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The fan clutch should engage when hot and not cold. During the 10-20 second engagement you might feel some power loss.



Anthony G
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2002
14:20:09

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Next time it happends check your RPM gauge, 1500-2000 rpms is fine, the fan could be fooling you into thinking that the engine is running at a much higher rpm than what it's at.



MarkL
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2002
14:29:20

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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rlloyd,
What you describe is EXACTLY what I experienced on my Dak. Happened twice, both times with the engine cold. The dealer explained the engine noise, (fan clutch), but it sure seemed like getting only 10-15 mph out of 2200rpm was a little off. It only lasted less then 1 minute and worked fine. FWIW, I would'nt recommend "flooring" it - try letting off the accelerator for a few seconds and see what happens (maybe a little easier on that cold motor ;) It MAY be that the fan clutch noise is creating the illusion of a slipping tranny.....just have to watch thosr rpm's.



rlloyd
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2002
16:23:11

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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First of all, thanks everybody for the great info and quick responses...

MarkL,

Did you actually look at your rpm's? I have to admit, I never looked at the tach, so I don't know if I was actually revving the engine up or not, it just seemed that way, because of the noise. Also, what did you do to stop the noise (or make the fan clutch catch)? Lastly, how old is your truck?

Thanks,

RUSTY



MarkL
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2002
20:06:38

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Rusty,

Yes, I did look at the rpm's, they were @ 2000 with 10-15mph. Seemed WAY to high, but it corrected itself as soon as I came to a complete stop and started off again. It does seem starnge that it has only happened twice to both of us, and at nearly the same mileage. My truck is an 02' QC 4.7 auto LS and 2200 miles. It happened at @ 1000 miles then again @ 1500, and not since.



nanu
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2002
20:45:09

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Do you live near Roswell?



Bruce P
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2002
21:10:05

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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You are experiencing 2 things

1) The radiator fan will "roar" for several minutes in "cool" weather. This makes the engine sound as if it is overreving.

2) The fancy new tranny on the 4.7L has some "special" modes. One of which is it will attempt to warm itself up quickly by allowing some hydrolic slippage for a short time.



Canadak
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2002
21:52:58

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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I haven't had the high rpm /low power problem you mentioned. I can confirm that ,especially when cold (ie: below freezing) and sometimes when crawling along at traffic jam speeds or when shifting from forward to reverse to forward,the auto tranny's "brain" on my 4.7 does some weird/noticable computing that feels odd. Not to mention the periodic clicking as the tranny gets into gear from neutral. I can never get the oddities to perform on command , they just happen once in a while. But this transmission and engine were designed with each other in mind. I guess quirks are part of the technology. It's still a smooth operator once under way.



MarkL
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2002
23:02:11

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Bruce,

Thanks! That helps put my mind at ease. The dealer coould'nt even hazard a guess, but your explaination seems very plausable.



DarcViper
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2002
08:35:16

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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yeah buba i know what youre talkin about happend to me to just push the shifting lever foward once you are in the gear you want and it should lock in corectly it didnt seem to want to fall in place first coupla days but it fixed itself



MikeD
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2002
08:50:50

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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I don't have the 4.7 but I own the big 5.9 and has had that happen to me twice also...I looked at the rpms and it was like 20mph at 2500-2700rpms. Then I'd stop and it wouldn't do it...but then a few minutes later it did it again, thought it was the tranny but I guess its the fan clutch, if it is thats a relief.



lilbigrig
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2002
17:22:26

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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I had the same problem around 28000 mi. started as an occasional problem. only after while mine wouldn't release at any temperature. took it to the dealer had it replaced and have had no problems since (except for the fact they "updated" my pcm and my milage has gone down about 2 mpg).



conig
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2002
20:24:48

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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my 4.7l auto has a problem with getting fully into reverse unless I jiggle the handle. it this is a pcm problem sol because I won't let the dealer reflash my kennebell.



rlloyd
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2002
19:57:11

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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Well, it happened again.... This time I checked the RPM's and compared to normal start...EXACTLY the SAME. I guess I was being fouled by the "roar". It took less than one minute for the roar to go away.

Because of all the great info here, and the fact that my dealership gave the identical explanation eases my mind and I won't wworry about it any more.

Thanks again for all the outstanding info...

RUSTY



spike2112
Dodge Dakota
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8/02/2005
07:20:27

RE: 4.7L, Auto not getting into gear???
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I have the same problem. When I start my 1999 5.7L there is the sound of overreving. the rpms go up to 1700 WITHOUT my foot on the peddal, it then fluctuates back and forth before settling down. When I take off it starts roaring again. I had my belt break and this caused damage to the fan clutch. They repalced the clutch and it's been happening ever since. Should I have the clutch looked at again? This started in May. Thanks



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