# 04 Dodge Dakato 4X4 Transmisson

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-dodge-dakato-4x4-transmisson/81035>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** dakota, dodge\
**Created:** [August 24, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-dodge-dakato-4x4-transmisson/81035 "2013-08-24T03:53:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dakato49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dakato49](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dakato49)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-dodge-dakato-4x4-transmisson/81035/1 "2013-08-24T03:53:35Z")

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When I start the truck in cold weather, the transmission doesn’t want to shift out of 1st gear. Some time it take driving it a 1/8 of a mile before it shifts.

Any ideas what is wrong / need replaced ? I was told to shift it thru all the gears before I move it to help warm up the transmission fluid ? I’m thinking some sensor needs replace ???

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**Author:** ![WheresRick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wheresrick/32/2717_2.png) [@WheresRick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WheresRick)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-dodge-dakato-4x4-transmisson/81035/2 "2013-08-24T03:56:43Z")

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Have you checked the transmission fluid level? Condition? Is there a check engine light on?

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 7:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-dodge-dakato-4x4-transmisson/81035/3 "2013-08-24T07:53:43Z")

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@Dakato49

How many miles on the truck?

How many miles since the last trans service?

If in doubt, do a trans service

Any fault codes you know about?

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**Author:** ![Dakotaboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dakotaboy/32/21842_2.png) [@Dakotaboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dakotaboy)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-dodge-dakato-4x4-transmisson/81035/4 "2013-08-24T19:02:24Z")

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I have a 2005 Dakota 4X4 with the 4.7 V8 and 5 speed automatic. I have the same issue intermittently when the engine is cold (not only in cold weather but also if the truck hasn’t been run since the previous day).

I asked the dealer about this and I was told that this was done by design and controlled by the computer. It is done (so I was told) to help the transmission fluid warm up more quickly.

Check with your dealer the next time you have your truck serviced.

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**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-dodge-dakato-4x4-transmisson/81035/5 "2013-08-24T22:10:55Z")

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It’s August? Hot? Did u just recall this issue shows up in December but u keep forgetting to ask about it in the summer?