Dodge ECU reflash?

[daveyg]

My father-in-laws truck is having some shifting issues and we've been told it's that the ECU needs reflashed? Is there a shop locally that can do this? It's a 2000 (I think) Dodge 1500 with a 5.9L V8. Thanks guys.

[o_0]

i know west coast has a reader that can erase codes. as for replashing completely, thereb4u (scott) works at a dodge dealership.

[daveyg]

Thanks for that tip. My uncle has an OBD2 reader that can erase codes too, but there's no codes showwing, just screwwy shifting. Like for example, if you hit the gas to pass, and are at 55 mph, it should (and used to) shift from 3rd to 2nd, to give you a little more oomph. Well recently it has been shifting from 3rd to 1st at 55, spending one second bouncing off the rev limiter, and then shifting to 2nd. There's no signs of catastrophic damage in the trans (when it first started this problem, we drained, flushed and replaced the trans filter, and found no surprises) But supposedly it's a ECU controlled trans, and the ECU for some ridiculous reason is telling it to shift to 1st at 55, which is like 8,000 rpm(which is waaaayyyy too much for a bone stock 5.9L v8 to survive!)

[o_0]

it still should have a linkage that does from the column to the transmission. it may be out of whack just enough to make it go into first. there are adjustments you can make on the linkages to get it to shift properly if it has one. i have not ran accross a transmission here that did not have a cable, or linkage running to it. throttle bodies, now that is a different story, cobalts and ions have electric motors that are computer controlled to open the butterfly, talk about some scary shit.

[o_0]

just talked with my brother about this. he says it might have a kickdown cable that needs adjusting. we are not sure about the newer trucks ect, but older ones did have this cable. they might still be using it, i know 98's do.

[daveyg]

Hm... Definately will look more closely at the trans for cables, Only thing is, it does it with the lever in OD, Not manually shifting it down from 3 to 2. On another note, I know for a fact my dad's 2000 Chevy Astro is strictly electricly controlled trans. (From pulling it to be rebuilt two summers ago)

[o_0]

just giving some ideas to check out. better to look first, then pay lol.

[THERB4U]

2000 dodge still has a kickdown cable, but that only affects what speed it upshifts and how much throttle is applied before it downshifts to 2nd gear for passing. Sounds like you might have a kickdown band out of adjustment or bad govoner pressure sensor and solenoid, both are extremely common.

When a kickdown band is out of adjustment or broken, you typically will not have 2nd gear. When the sensors go bad, you will have erratic shifts, sometimes early shifts or late shifts.

There are no flashes (controller updates) for the symptoms you are describing.

Hope this helps.

[spastik]

Thanks for the info Scott! :)

[daveyg]

Hey Scott, thanks for that info, I'll check again to make sure of the year.. Well, the tenth digit in the VIN is 'X'... So I guess that would make it a '99 instead of a 2000, So I'm guessing that your previous advise holds true. How does one adjust the bands in their trans? Or, if it were a sensor, would the CEL come on? Cuz there is no CEL. Thanks again for all your help.

[daveyg]

Ok, after reading a few tutorials, I think we'll just try the simplest, easiest thing first, we're gonna adjust the Throttle Valve cable. If that doesn't work, we'll drop the pan and check the bands, supposedly the bands are supposed to be adjusted every 37k miles (It's been over 100k since any adjustments have been made) Although we did just swap the trans filter out a month ago.

[THERB4U]

sorry I didnt get back to you sooner, dont get on here much. You dont have to drop the pan to adjust the front/kickdown band. The adjuster is on the outside, above the shift linkage on the drivers side. The only difference between 2nd and 1st gear in that trans is the kickdown band. I bet the band got so loose that the anchor inside the trans fell out and wont let the band apply any more. Look above the valve body for a triangle shaped piece of metal thats not in place. It usually wont fall completely into the pan.