1988 Dodge Dakota Transmission Shutter

JCANNONH

MEMBER
1988 DODGE DAKOTA
3.9L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
106,000 MILES

Hi, I just bought a really clean one owner dakota. I got it cheap enough so i'm not too scared of your answer but I hope it goes well. I am pretty sure I have a 3 speed trans. Let me preface this by saying that the bed is clean and there is no hitch so I don't think the trans has been abused but we do live in the mountains, however the inclines around here aren't horrible. When i'm driving, it gives me one smooth shift, then another and then a very noticeable shutter in the steering wheel as well as making the rest of the truck shutter. If I accelerate through the shifts and let up on the gas pedal after the second smooth shift and then go easy on the gas, there either is no shutter or one that is barely noticeable. Any thoughts? The trans was a quart low when I bought it 2 months ago, I added Lucas. I just checked it yesterday and it is holding steady.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,741 POSTS

Change the transmission fluid and filter and put the right fluid in. That shudder is a chatter from the torque converter locking up in third gear above about 40 mph. The wrong type of fluid causes that.

You can prove this is the cause by driving at a steady speed above 40 mph with the engine warmed up. Hold the accelerator pedal perfectly steady, then tap the brake pedal. That will cause the torque converter to unlock and relock a few seconds later. You'll feel the same shudder each time you do that. You may hear the engine speed pick up a little when you tap the brake pedal. If you have a tach, you'll see the engine speed increase 200 rpm, then go back down.