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My 06 Durango 4.7L is very reluctant to downshift when encountering hills. Cruise control isn't any better, you can feel the pedal move but the tranny doesn't respond until the pedal is at the floor. Already have replaced TPS, replaced plugs which were at .060 gap, and still nothing. The vehicle is sluggish to respond when at speed, and mileage has fallen 25%
Country: United StatesMake: DodgeModel: Durango SLTYear: 2006Engine: 4.7L Already Tried: Dealer replaced a shift solenoid almost 2 years ago, that's when this all started. Since then they have repalced everything inside the tranny, TPS, cleaned the entire fuel system, checked PCV, EGR, IAC and everything else they can think of. They are as frustrated as me. Even ahd the Dodge corporate guys drive it and they sugegsted it was an engine issue, not a tranny issue.
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Are there any service codes stored?
None at the time, as far as I know. Just got the vehicle back from the dealer after they replaced the plugs. I have a reader, i will be checking this afternoon. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that since the MIL isn't lit there are no codes.
Thank you. Reading through your description of the problem it suggests that the problem is with the engine and not the transmission. With no service codes illuminating the dash, the problem can certainly be tricky to solve. Has anyone checked exhaust backpressure?
No...well, at least I can say that wasn't part of any discussions with the dealer. I had been considering that maybe the CAT was clogged?
Yes, this can cause the issues you describe. If the exhaust is plugged, it will delay transmission shifts.
Air intake can also do the same. But exhaust is more common. Does the engine use any oil?
It appears we may be having difficulty in this format. I'll switch to Q&A so we can continue there.
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Sorry about that.Sometimes it acts up.This should work OK.Thank you,Bernie
Don't know if my last post got thru...the truck uses a litlle bit of oil, but at 74000 miles I don't think that's out of line. But I have noticed a sulfur-like smell when the truck is going up certain hills, when it's lugging a bit. That seems to point to the CAT as well.
Hello. Yes, it very well could be.Oil, over time, can eventually effect the catalytic.In your situation, I think the backpressure test should be done. All the symptoms point to it.
The sulfur smell is a byproduct of the engine running rich, correct? That would be consistent with them having to clean the TB and IAC assembly when they put the new TPS in. (Probably could have saved the cost of the new TSB, it sounds like). Would the rich condition directly contribute to the CAT clogging?
Hello.The catalytic converter is designed to burn hydrocarbons going out the exhaust pipe.This would include oil or gasoline. If excess hydrocarbons are entering the converter, it makes it even hotter. This can damage the converter over time.So if your Durango is over fueling it may have damaged the converter and giving you these symptoms.When you check the back pressure and it is indeed restricted, keep a close eye on any overfueling that may damage the replacement.